Honda Repair: 94 honda civic LX, fuel pressure gauge, fuel pressure regulator

Question
Hi,

I just bought a 94 Honda civic LX with the 1.5L.  The car will not run it is acting like it is having fuel problems.  I checked the pump and filter and they are both good, If I spray starter fluid into the carb it will start right up and run until it has burned out all the fluid.  I found the fuel pressure regulator located at the end of the fuel line, I didn't know what it was,  so I pulled the hose going into the throttle body to see if it would shoot any fluid out into a bottle when I turned the engine over, it did not.  Should the regulator squirt fluid when trying to start the vehicle and do you have any other Ideas of what it might be.

Thanks.

Answer
No, the regulator should not shoot fluid.

The first thing you need to do is check the fuel pressure. You can get a fuel pressure gauge at any auto parts store. This will tell you if there is sufficient pressure to the fuel rail. If there is not you are looking at a pump/filter problem. If there is then you need to look at the injectors and see if they are getting power to turn on. you can do this by using a "noid light". Also available at most auto parts stores.