Engine Died while running, then wont start !

[Torn^]

Well my friend's mx3 choked while running. He was at a red light, then when he declutched to go in first the engine died. We tried restarting it afterward even by compressing it but it wont start.

We can hear the starter, and he replaced the sparks not too long ago. Also, there was an odor of burn when the engine was hot for the past 2 weeks, maybe this isnt related tho ...

Car is an mx3 4cyl '96 manual with 135 miles on it. Oil change was due tomorow so the oil was pretty old.

I read on another post with a similar problem that maybe its the fuel filter or defective fuel pump. That would make sense since we can hear sparks but its not starting.. Is changing fuel filter or fuel pump hard to do ?

Any suggestion on what could cause that problem is appreciated .. thanks

[Grants]

First thing, pull a plug out to prove you got spark.

[iLLuSi0nZMx-3]

does he have a aftermarket intake..and if so make sure the mass air sensor is on tight and snug if it gets alil bit of vaccuum leak then it runs so bad if running at all.

[Torn^]

Finnaly he towed the car at a repair shop.. the problem was the coil distributor. The guy at the repair shop even said that he was lucky the car was still running with that hehe

Thanks for the info