The journey can be perfect without obstacles, especially with your beloved car.
But unfortunately, something has led to a flooded engine, and your four-wheeled friend can’t start up as normal anymore?
Don’t worry too much because the key to this dilemma is the clear flood mode built into today’s modern vehicles. So, what is it, and how to use it effectively?
Please scroll down; my article will give you the most useful information on this topic.
What Is Clear Flood Mode In Car?
The clear flood mode is a special process that clears the flood inside the engine.
By pressing the gas pedal (more than 80%), the car computer will lock all the fuel injectors, then focus on “burning” and removing all unnecessary fluids.
A flooded engine occurs when a crapload of fuel is inside the cylinder, resulting in the vehicle losing its inherent compression.
Once the cylinder walls do not receive oil pressure, the piston rings won’t seal properly. An engine flooded with gas at start-up will spin very quickly with an annoying sound.
How To Identify A Car Flooded Engine?
Engine flooding is most common when you’re on a short journey in the fall and spring.
In my experience, “more susceptible” engines (such as the 4-cylinder one) are usually more susceptible to this problem.
If, unfortunately, one day, you boot up your vehicle and find that it is suffering from one of the following signs, which is a sign of a flooded engine:
- Strange odors: The fuel system puts just the right amount of fuel into the combustion process, so there won’t be any excess gasoline and scents. But if the engine is flooded, the extra gasoline will emit a strong odor through the exhaust every time you try to start the cold engine.
- Start-up problems: Your vehicle is hard to cold start or only activates for a few seconds and then cuts down quickly. This phenomenon usually occurs in cold weather, accompanied by a lot of black smoke from the exhaust.
- Strange noises: After you turn the key, the cranking spins incredibly fast with a “whirring” flooded engine sound from the fuel pump.
- Flooded spark plugs: A flooded car engine can lead to the same condition as the spark plugs. The wet spark plugs due to excess fuel will make the ignition process less efficient, not providing enough power for the vehicle’s operation.
How To Fix The Car Engine Flooded With Gas?
Usually, contact a repair center, and the professional mechanics there will complete all the work for you.
But if you want to experience it, it’s not a difficult repair process! I have successfully done this challenge many times using the procedure below.
First, you must move the car to a well-ventilated place away from home.
If you must do it inside your garage, close all windows and doors to prevent smoke and exhaust fumes from entering your home.
And now, let’s go into the specific process!
Push the gas pedal pad to the floor to cold start the engine (for up to 10 seconds) until you hear the motor trying to start.
Then you need to accelerate the engine for 1-2 seconds, then let it run idle for a few seconds.
Once you feel the engine warm up, turn off the engine because your car is healthy again!
Note: If the media still won’t boot after 10 seconds of trying, it’s having other, more serious problems. Therefore, contact the repair center to receive the most accurate diagnosis.
How To Start The Vehicle If The Engine Is Flooded?
If circumstances do not allow you to repair the flooded engine, do not worry; you can still start it another way.
Open the hood of your vehicle and wait. The longer the time, the more excess fuel in your engine will evaporate.
After every 20 minutes of patience, you should try restarting the vehicle without pressing the gas pedal.
If the above still doesn’t work, do a quick test with the car’s spark plug and replace it promptly.
Excess fuel flow inside the engine will sometimes flood the spark plug, which prevents it from generating the spark needed to start the vehicle.
How To Avoid The Flooded Car Engine
On these cold days, a car stored for a long time in the garage is easy to encounter a flooded engine.
Therefore, regularly start the engine for a few seconds to let the engine start before beginning the journey.
If you only need to move the vehicle briefly, let it idle for a few minutes and then turn off the engine.
That’s how the car can restore the balance between the fuel and the air inside the engine compartment.
A fuel injection engine is much more effective at preventing engine flooding than a carburetor.
Please do not press the accelerator pedal continuously when starting the engine because it can cause a fuel issue with the spark plugs!
Of course, proper car maintenance is indispensable! Check and clean your engine periodically without water to keep it in perfect working condition!
FAQs
Do All Cars Have Clear Flood Mode?
Unfortunately, not all vehicles have the clear flood mode available. You can try this method for your car to check. But if it doesn’t work, you’d better send your vehicle to a repair center.
How Does A Fuel Injected Engine Flooded?
Flooded engines are a fairly common mechanical ailment with vehicles that use carburetors instead of fuel injection.
Pumping the accelerator or hitting the gas too much while starting the car can imbalance the fuel and air mixture.
Can You Flood A Fuel Injected Car?
Engine flooding is less common in cars with newer fuel injectors if it operates within normal tolerances.
But flood situations can still happen when the accelerator is pumped or in cold weather.
Some Last Words
My article gives you all the most useful information regarding operating the clear flood mode and avoiding it in today’s modern vehicles.
Always remember, regular vehicle maintenance and inspection is the key to the timely detection and elimination of all potential dangers inside your four-wheeled friend.
And now, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do the flushing. Good luck!