Please help! Can't get engine started.

[dhen]

My car ran out of gas and then we couldn't get it started, though we tried many times. Towed it home, pulled the spark plugs, and found out the the plugs were wet with gas (flooded.)

I was having an alternator problem which I think was the cause of the first flooding.

So I got some plugs that only had 2,000 miles on them but had been sitting a while. The car still didn't start, though it started to catch a couple of times.

I pulled the second set of plugs and they were flooded as well.

My oil now smells like gas. I tested the coil packs and I have spark.

I have no spark plugs in the engine right now. My plan is to leave it that way overnight to let the cylinders dry out, change the oil, and try a new set of spark plugs. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Darian
Modified by dhen at 9:12 PM 8/16/2009

[boost_boy]

My car ran out of gas and then we couldn't get it started, though we tried many times. Towed it home, pulled the spark plugs, and found out the the plugs were wet with gas (flooded.)

I was having an alternator problem which I think was the cause of the first flooding.

So I got some plugs that only had 2,000 miles on them but had been sitting a while. The car still didn't start, though it started to catch a couple of times.

I pulled the second set of plugs and they were flooded as well.

My oil now smells like gas. I tested the coil packs and I have spark.

I have no spark plugs in the engine right now. My plan is to leave it that way overnight to let the cylinders dry out, change the oil, and try a new set of spark plugs. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Darian

Modified by dhen at 9:12 PM 8/16/2009

Water temperature sensor! Make sure it's connected and/or the ecu is not giving you a code 13. Also, make sure you have good voltage when trying to start your car.

Dee

[dhen]

Thanks for responding, Dee.

My car is 50 years old, and someone else did the swap for me.

Anyway, my water temperature gauge is mechanical. Is there a separate sensor for the water temperature that the ECU needs? Also, all of these problems started after I ran out of gas.

Is there anyway to zero out the ECU? I'm using a VPC as well, though I don't know if that matters.

Not sure if this all makes sense. It's just that there are a lot of variables.

[boost_boy]

Thanks for responding, Dee.

My car is 50 years old, and someone else did the swap for me.

Anyway, my water temperature gauge is mechanical. Is there a separate sensor for the water temperature that the ECU needs? Also, all of these problems started after I ran out of gas.

Is there anyway to zero out the ECU? I'm using a VPC as well, though I don't know if that matters.

Not sure if this all makes sense. It's just that there are a lot of variables.

The water temperature sensor is the one located just behind the timing cover on the intake runners. The sensor you're referring is the temperature sender. It will not affect the car like the water temperature sensor will. If you've been running the car with a VPC, then keep it that way. The water temperature sensor is the evil sensor that can wreak havoc on a novice CAer because most don't really know it's function. Well, note to all, they do go bad and when they do they will cause you all kinds of drama.

Dee

[dhen]

Problem fixed! After pulling my hair out for a few hours, I disconnected the battery for 1/2 an hour and the problem went away...

Thanks,

Darian