What's causing my car to flood at startup??

[Prelude Guy]

Hey all,

My car is flooding at startup. It does it if I don't start the car the first time I crank the starter. The only way I can get my car to start is by pulling the fuel pump fuse, crank the car until it uses up all the fuel. Then it starts, runs for 2 seconds, then dies. Then I put the fuse bad in. Generally, the car starts right up after doing this. Today, I could not get it started. It kept flooding.

Any idea??

I think this is the cause of my major bogging issue.

I checked around the injects. They are not leaking.

Let me know what you thinks,

[s13sr20chris]

base idle too low, coolant temp sensor(iirc you already fixed that), etc. i would start by bumping up the idle. also check the timing and fuel pressure as they can both affect that.

[DAEDALUS]

Short term, leave the fuse alone and try holding the gas pedal to the floor while cranking. This actually shuts off the injectors at startup to clear flooding. Works on most EFI Nissans I think. Maybe Chris can confirm.

No leaks on the top of the injectors doesn't mean there are no leaks on the bottom of the injectors. Upper and lower seals are independent of each other.

[Prelude Guy]

base idle too low, coolant temp sensor(iirc you already fixed that), etc. i would start by bumping up the idle. also check the timing and fuel pressure as they can both affect that.

I did try cranking up the idle at the ECU. It didn't help. It idles at 700-800 rpms.

I already changed the coolant temp switch.

I will check the timing. My friend said he will help me. Not sure how I will check the fuel pressure though.

Short term, leave the fuse alone and try holding the gas pedal to the floor while cranking. This actually shuts off the injectors at startup to clear flooding. Works on most EFI Nissans I think. Maybe Chris can confirm.

No leaks on the top of the injectors doesn't mean there are no leaks on the bottom of the injectors. Upper and lower seals are independent of each other.

Short term, leave the fuse alone and try holding the gas pedal to the floor while cranking. This actually shuts off the injectors at startup to clear flooding. Works on most EFI Nissans I think. Maybe Chris can confirm.

No leaks on the top of the injectors doesn't mean there are no leaks on the bottom of the injectors. Upper and lower seals are independent of each other.

I do notice a shorting-type noise when it bogs. It sounds like the noise made when a power wire is connected to the positive battery terminal. It sounds like it is comiing from the head/injector/spark plug area. I can't pinpoint it though.

I am going to check the coil by using a friend's coil. His car is running fine. He is out of town right now though.

The last thing I want to do is take it to the dealer.

I will look at the car again today. Let me know if you guys have any other ideas.

Thanks,

Andy

[red240ne]

you changed the coolant temp switch or sensor?

[Prelude Guy]

you changed the coolant temp switch or sensor?

I changed the one that is near the intake manifold. Not sure if it is a switch or sensor.

Is there another one I should look for??

[s13sr20chris]

I do notice a shorting-type noise when it bogs. It sounds like the noise made when a power wire is connected to the positive battery terminal. It sounds like it is comiing from the head/injector/spark plug area. I can't pinpoint it though.

Andy

that is very charachteristic of a bad plug wire. sometimes they will arc to the head or valve cover instead of firing the plug. have someone else in the car making it mess up and stand in front of the engine watching the plug wires. if you see any sparks you need new oem wires. also try pulling them off one by one(without touching the chassis with your other hand) and see if they shoot sparks through the side.

[Prelude Guy]

I am going to try the plug wires and my coil on a friend's 240. I hope it's the coil.

Chris, I was going to pull the EGR valve too. Could my EGR be stuck open?? Any tips on how to get the EGR out?? It is A LOT easier on my Prelude. The EGR on the 240 is on the back of the IM, near the firewall.

My car flooded again when I tried to start it up. I pulled the fuel pump fuse, cranked it until the car started. Then the car stalled. I put the fuse back in and it fired up without any issues. I guess because it is warmer outside now.

[s13sr20chris]

yes, stuck open egr could do that. it is usually accompanied by a low rough idle as well.