# How-to: Start a Flooded Engine **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [November 28, 2003, 8:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314 "2003-11-28T08:17:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nocwage](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nocwage/32/5489_2.png) [@nocwage](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nocwage)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 8:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/1 "2003-11-28T08:17:13Z")
If you try to start your car and you flood the engine… or you’re not too good with shifting and stalled/flooded it here’s what you do… Put the accelerator to the FLOOR and crank the engine. YES, put the accel ALL the way down and hold the key on crank until it starts. Why? Because the computer knows it isn’t supposed to be going full throttle at start up so it will severly limit the duty cycle of the injectors. This way you can “pump” out the excess gas. If you try to just crank the motor it will be more difficult to start because it will be injecting more gas. Why won’t it start when it’s flooded? Mostly it’s because the spark plugs are wet. Rather than sparking across the electrodes it will just jump across the insulator. This is bad for two reasons… 1. no spark means no start… 2. The gas the electricity passes through will carbonize on your spark plugs, fouling them… if it’s REALLY bad you’ll need new ones. And before someone says i’m full of it. I’ve done it, SEVERAL TIMES. Twice specifically on my SR20 powered NX2000 when it was having MAF issues. ---
**Author:** ![Pavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a4c791/32.png) [@Pavel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pavel)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 11:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/2 "2003-11-28T11:21:35Z")
I have a much easier solution to the flooded engine. there are usually 2 things u can do when the engine is really flooded, let it stand for a while and then try to start it again, or, you can simply plug out the injector plugs (all 4 of them) crank the engine w/o your injectors until all the gas inside burns through, and then plug them back in and start it at WOT. ---
**Author:** ![nocwage](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nocwage/32/5489_2.png) [@nocwage](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nocwage)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/3 "2003-11-28T11:50:47Z")
> [@Pavel](#): > > I have a much easier solution to the flooded engine. > > there are usually 2 things u can do when the engine is really flooded, let it stand for a while and then try to start it again, or, you can simply plug out the injector plugs (all 4 of them) crank the engine w/o your injectors until all the gas inside burns through, and then plug them back in and start it at WOT. I don’t think unplugging injectors is easier than just holding your foot on the gas and cranking for 15 seconds but I guess some people’s legs might get tired?? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Pavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a4c791/32.png) [@Pavel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pavel)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/4 "2003-11-28T11:58:56Z")
hehe, sorry, the only reason why i posted that is because often times, doesn’t matter if u floor it, if the engine is severely flooded, then it won’t start at all ---
**Author:** ![nocwage](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nocwage/32/5489_2.png) [@nocwage](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/nocwage)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/5 "2003-11-28T12:03:47Z")
> [@nocwage](#): > > Why? > Because the computer knows it isn’t supposed to be going full throttle at start up so it will severly limit the duty cycle of the injectors. This way you can “pump” out the excess gas. If you try to just crank the motor it will be more difficult to start because it will be injecting more gas. Maybe I need to clarify this… When the ECU sees you have full throttle, but the car is just starting it will fire the injectors LESS than if you were just starting it without your foot on the accelerator. Like to the point of almost being entirely off. I can’t seem to find any confirmation of this on google but believe me, that’s what it does. After a while it will attempt to start, once it start stumbling/starting then release the gas. Severe flooding you should disconnect your spark plugs and injectors and pump for a while, leaving your spark plugs hooked up will cause the gas to burn/carbonize on them (As state earlier) and obviously if they are soaked you’ll do a lot more damage than if it’s just a minor flooding… ---
**Author:** ![Pavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a4c791/32.png) [@Pavel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pavel)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/6 "2003-11-28T21:03:43Z")
wow, thanx for the info then! learn something new everyday! 😃 keep them coming nocwage 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sm0ke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sm0ke](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sm0ke)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/7 "2003-11-30T11:31:14Z")
> [@FrEaK](#): > > I’ll verify what nocwage is saying… my shop teacher taught us the same thing on most fuel injected vehicals… It’s true what he says. The ECU/ECM recognizes on most fuel injected vehicles when the gas pedal is fully engaged to cut off the fuel supply in order to clear a flooded engine. Now this works in most cases, but if your engine is severly flooded then you’ll have to resort to other things. Just like nocwage said, you’ll have to hold down the gas pedal and keep the engine cranking for 20-30 sec at a time to get it to start. Try not to crank it for more than 30 sec each try. And be sure to recharge your battery after. I’ve used this technique on older cars and on newer ones. ---
**Author:** ![\_M\_aurice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c5a1d2/32.png) [@\_M\_aurice](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/_M_aurice)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-start-a-flooded-engine/80314/8 "2003-12-01T13:06:17Z")
Its nice and easy with a carbureter, just keep your foot half-way on the throttle until it starts. Works every time (for me anyway).