"Flooded" Engine

[Simes]

\"Flooded\" Engine

A question about "Flooded" engines.
What is a flooded engine?
Does flooded mean that there is too much fuel in the cylinder?
Does flooded mean that there is too much fuel in the Carb'?
Does flooded mean that there is something that we dont understand happening and if we just keep trying to start the engine at full throttle it will eventually go?
As far as I am aware I have never had a flooded engine, I have had a few that have been oddly difficult to start from time to time, but all have started.
Any one help?

Simes

 

[Leighb]

Re: \"Flooded\" Engine

I have only heard it applied to petrol engines. Usually it means that the plugs have got wet with excess fuel due to failing to start after long cranking.

Only remedy is either
a) Go to the Pub for a pint or three and try later when it may have dried out.

b) Remove the plugs dry them carefully and check correct gap while it is out, crank the engine with no choke and throttle fully open to blow out any excess petrol in the inlet/cylinder then replace plugs and try again.

 

[Bilgediver]

Re: \"Flooded\" Engine

The boat filled with water and flooded into the engine!!!!


With older petrol engines the term was used to describe overuse of the choke when starting resulting in an excess of petrol and over rich mixture which had to be corrected by less use of the choke . Also if the engine had an accelerator pump the same effect could result from over waggling of the throttle levers before starting.

 

[boatmike]

Re: \"Flooded\" Engine

Usually the turm applies to petrol engines that have not fired and have ingested exess fuel. That fuel can wet the spark gap and prevent any further attempt to start. Sometimes opening the throttle fully and ensuring that the choke is not operating (only possible with manual chokes like 2 stroke outboards) will clear the problem. Otherwise shut off fuel supply, remove spark plug and turn over rapidly to blow exess fuel out of cylinder, dry plug and replace and try again. (Its usually a good plan to check the plug for a spark with it held against the cylinder head before replacing)

 

[MoodySabre]

Re: \"Flooded\" Engine

For a petrol engine it means too much fuel in the cylinder - spark plug soaking wet. Leave it for a few minutes before trying again. (Thoughts of old cars). Diesels do not flood with fuel as there is no spark.

Flooded for a diesel or any boat engine could mean flooded with sea water. If you keep turning over and over with the seacock open it is possible to fill up the exhaust with water and back-fill the cylinders with water. There lies huge expense and trouble.

 

[Simes]

Re: \"Flooded\" Engine

Sorry folks, I should be cleare here. This is an old 15hp 2 stroke outboard. Offered a chap a tow this AM. He said not to worry as it had just flooded and would start in a few mins.

It is as I had thought, too much fuel in the cylinder.

Simes