The first telltale sign of a flooded car engine is the smell of gas emanating from the engine bay or the tailpipe. Since the combustion chambers are brimming with gas, the excess fuel will remain inside the engine and emit a strong gasoline odor. If your car refuses to start and the entire thing smells of gas when cranking, you’re most likely dealing with a flooded engine.
Moreover, if you notice an unusual whirring sound or the engine sounds different when cranking, the engine might be flooded with gas. In addition, engine flooding could cause the engine to crank faster than usual. All of these could point to a lower compression ratio. A flooded engine causes oil from the piston rings to dilute or “wash out” and effectively lower the compression ratio, a condition known as “bore wash.”
Lastly, a no-start condition happens when dealing with a flooded engine. Your engine requires a specific air/fuel ratio to start and run properly. Too much gas will mess up the golden ratio. In some cases, the engine will start and die again.
