I HAVE A 1990 HONDA ACCORD AND SOME TIMES IT WONT START.FOR 10 MINS.

Question

I HAVE A 1990 HONDA ACCORD AND I CAN DRIVE FOR DAYS BUT SOME TIMES WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF IT TAKES 5 TO 10 MINS TO START BACKUP. I HAD THIS SAMETHING HAPPEN TO ME WHEN I HAD A CHEVY AND AFTER ALL THE WORK AND MONEY IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY STARTER. IS THIS THE CASE.

Answer 1

Slight chance it could be, but that car has a common problem with the main relay. In this case though, the car cranks but will not start. What is happening, do the lights dim when you try to start? If it dosent even crank than yes pull the starter and have it checked at autozone.

Answer 2

Does the engine turn over when  you try to start it back up but it just won't run?  if that's the case then you may have a vapor lock condition.

vapor lock happens when a hot engine is shut off and the heat from the engine is absorbed by the fuel pipe that carries the gasoline to the fuel injectors.  It is a time-critical condition as well as a fuel related condition.

in terms of time, shutting the car off to go inside a convenience store is usually the scenario where vapor lock is most likely to occur.  In terms of time, between 7 and 20 minutes is the critical window.  If you come back to the car in under 7 minutes it will restart with no problem.  if you come back in over 20 minutes to restart the car it will start with no problem.  If you come back between 7 and 20 minutes it will turn over but either spit and sputter or just not give any indication of trying to start as you crank the engine.  (the 7 to 20 minute window depends on outside temperature and humidity but its generally in that range)

if this is what you are experiencing on the occasional no-starts the reason for the condition is the alcohol content in the gas you are using.  Alcohol boils (turns to vapor) at fairly low temperatures.  As the heat from the engine is absorbed by the metal pipes the alcohol in the gas vaporizes causing an 'air lock' in the fuel pipes.  when you go to start the car you're injecting air and not gas so it won't start.  It usually takes about 7 minutes for the alcohol to vaporize.  After 20 minutes the engine cools down and the alcohol condenses back to liquid and you can start the car.

if that's what's happening, first change you brand of gas.  try another station as alcohol quantity varies between blends. use the lowest octane fuel as the higher octane fuels are more volitile and more likely to cause vapor lock.  

next time it happens, try turning the ignition key to the ON postiion (do not crank the engine) and count to 5, then turn it OFF.  Do that for 4 or 5 cycles.  That should run the fuel pump and hopefully push the air lock back towards the fuel tank as new fuel is pushed forward to compress the vapors.

this condition will probably go away by itself as outside temps decrease and the blends of gas are changed for to the 'winter' blend.

hope that helps