A flooded engine can be an inconvenience, but it can also be a sign that something more serious is wrong with your car.
Petrol engines are usually most at risk of flooding, but it also possible to flood a diesel engine in certain circumstances. Flooding is also more common with older vehicles because their fuel management system is not as sophisticated as those found on modern cars.
To be clear, the term “flooding an engine” refers to flooding it with fuel, rather than with water. Engines can occasionally by flooded with water in extreme weather conditions, but this is much more serious and can require the engine to be dismantled.
If you notice a strong smell of fuel, your car won’t start and smoke is billowing from the exhaust, the chances are you have a flooded engine. Read on to find out more about what to do and how to prevent it from re-occurring.
A flooded engine is most commonly caused by starting your car in cold weather. The low ambient temperature can mean that the fuel does not ignite properly, and consequently does not burn off, a problem that worsens when more fuel is added into the engine. Flooded engines are much more common at colder times of the year.
Another reason why your engine could flood is if you have only driven a very short distance. When a car is started, lots of fuel is pumped into the engine, just as it is when moving into first gear. If the car is turned off again quickly, before much of the fuel has been burnt off, it can collect in the cylinders instead.
Finally, a spark plug problem, faulty starter motor or flat battery can also result in a flooded engine. Anything that leads you to repeatedly attempt to start the car could potentially lead to an engine flood.
The first symptom you are likely to notice is a strong smell of fuel, particularly in the exhaust area, when you try to start your car, especially if you have to make repeated attempts to do so.
You may also hear a rapid cranking or whirring sound that differs from when you usually try to start your car. This is caused by lowered compression which causes the engine to turn over faster without firing.
The best way to avoid flooding your engine is to allow it to warm up once it has been started from cold, particularly in the winter.
This should only take a few minutes. Listen carefully and once the engine note changes and the idle speed has dropped slightly, the engine should be warm enough. Your temperature gauge will also usually move off the minimum.
If you have flooded your engine, the easiest way to try to solve the problem is to open the bonnet and wait for ten minutes for the excess petrol to evaporate. When you try to start the car again, keep your foot off the accelerator to prevent any more fuel from being pumped into the engine.
If your vehicle repeatedly suffers from a flooded engine or start-up issues, it may be a sign of a fault with something more serious on the car, such as blocked injectors or broken spark/glow plugs.
One way to forestall any engine problems is to ensure that your car is regularly maintained by a qualified mechanic. All vehicles rented through Leasys come with a number of services as standard, such as roadside assistance, a dedicated driver helpline and the road fund licence (road tax).
Additionally, you may also want to opt for an additional maintenance package, which means that, for a small inflation-proof fee, which is added to your monthly payment, you can rest assured that Leasys will take care of the comprehensive maintenance of your vehicle.
This maintenance package includes engine servicing, parts wear-and-tear and regular tyre replacement through our nationwide partner network with Kwik Fit that also offers mobile and weekend services.
In addition to giving you peace of mind, taking advantage of the optional maintenance package also allows you to budget more effectively, whether you lease one vehicle or an entire business fleet.
