Flooded? What to do?

[tblake]

Hey guys, anyone know how to clear a flooded GTP?

Well, it seems like I flodded it out. I was supposed to work today at 10am, got up at 8, went out and attempted to start the car, it cranked good for a minute or so, then died out. My dad came with his truck (that I jumped yesterday with my car) and a set of jumper cables and we treid to jump it several times over. In between each attempt we left it sit for about 10 minutes to charge. I finally gave up and called in to work since I've got nothing to drive. My car sits in the driveway -30 degrees (without windchill factor) I plugged the block heater in and also put the battery on a 10amp charger.

One interesting thing to note is that when I am cranking it, every few seconds it turns over, but will not catch. I think I will go back out in a couple hours and try it again. I also noticed that my radio is no longer displaying the correct time (probably because I wore the battery down so far).

What do you guys think?

BTW, I am running synthetic oil, and I know, I know, I should have plugged the block heater in last night.

I think I might have wore my battery down using it to jump start my Dad's truck yesterday.

[BNaylor]

That doesn't sound good. Same way like the old days Tim with carbs. Either just let it sit for awhile or keep the accelerator floored (WOT) as you crank. This should let the PCM module know that it should turn off the fuel injector pulses. Technically known as "clear flood mode". But it helps to have a good or fully charged battery first.

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by tblake

One interesting thing to note is that when I am cranking it, every few seconds it turns over, but will not catch.

A better description would be it cranks over just fine, every few seconds you can hear it try to start but it just won't stay running!

Hold it to the floor and crank it over, it might start.

When was the last tune-up, and what kind of plugs did you install?

[tblake]

Thanks guys. Its warming up fast here. By about noon it should be 0 degrees and my car block will be warm and my battery should have a decent charge.

At that point I will run back out and give it another shot in "clear flood mode" with the accellerator to the floor.

Tune up was done last summer with delco wires, wix air filter, delco fuel filter, autolite 605 spark plugs (which could be fouled out).

I guess I'll just let it sit and give it a whirl in a little while.

[BNaylor]

Also Tim due to the extraordinary cold weather conditions you might consider adding a gas line antifreeze and moisture remover like Heet just in case. 12 oz per 10 gallons.

[tblake]

Thanks for the tip Bob, I actually already did that about the second start attempt. I even ran the fuel pump a few times over and over again to get it through the system.

I'm gonna try it again in a half hour, I'll report back.

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Also Tim due to the extraordinary cold weather conditions you might consider adding a gas line antifreeze and moisture remover like Heet just in case. 12 oz per 10 gallons.

Tim , I see you live in MN. The "heet" will be a waste of money. We have oxygenated (ethanol) fuel. The ethanol absorbs moisture. Very unlikely that the fuel lines are frozen! I chuckle everytime I see somebody dumpoing in a couple bottles of this stuff at the pumps. But whatever if it makes you feel better than go for it.

Why didn't you put the O.E. AC delco's back in?

BTW its 11:30am and its still -12 in the twin cities. Much warmer than the -23 we had this morning!!!!

[tblake]

Yeah I dont think it does much either but its worht a shot. My dad actually aquired a box of random fuel additives and oil's when the company he works for switched their fleet from unleaded to deisel. He gave each one of us this off name brand "water absorber and gas line antifreeze" to put in our trunks for cases like this. When he came to jump start me, that was his first suggestion.

Do you think the spark plugs really make that much of a difference? I switched them out because of my MOD's. WOuld delco's start easier in the wintertime?

The car has started on every cold day so far except this one "coincidentally right after I used it to jump start dad's truck" Go Figure?????

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

Why didn't you put the O.E. AC delco's back in?

How are the AC Delcos any better? Airjer many of us have GTPs which are modded. So be sure to consider that in your future advice.

Tim you should never jump start another car. Good way to fry your PCM module.

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Tim you should never jump start another car. Good way to fry your PCM module.

Are you sure about this? if this was true than I should have replaced way more PCM's over the years.

And as far as mods, I didn't know. It was a question not advice!!!!!, Two very different things! "Why didn't you put the O.E. AC delco's back in?" See its a question not advice! If you deviate away from o.e. performance than you deserve the problems you get, make sure to consider that when future breakdowns occur Mr. B!

I have always kept my vehicles stock and have never had one not start. This includes many years growing up/living on the iron range (we get serious cold up there in the winter!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

Are you sure about this? if this was true than I should have replaced way more PCM's over the years.

To start what vehicles do you own? I should hope you mention one is a Pontiac Grand Prix of some sort. To answer your question absolutely. It is a common occurrence to either damage the internal output drivers of the PCM module or fry the 12 volt input and sense wires to the PCM and the ICM modules. I've rewired at least two for local Grand Prix GT/GTP owners that jump started other vehicles.

Originally Posted by Airjer_

And as far as mods, I didn't know. It was a question not advice!!!!!, Two very different things! "Why didn't you put the O.E. AC delco's back in?" See its a question not advice! If you deviate away from o.e. performance than you deserve the problems you get, make sure to consider that when future breakdowns occur Mr. B!

Lets not be coy. If you are suggesting that he put the O.E. AC Delcos back in then that is advice as far as I am concerned and bad advice based on his mods. Obviously since you are not a regular member of this forum you probably would not know that but many post their mods in their signature in plain view and we know what each other have for mods since we've helped each other in the past.

I will disregard that wise crack comment about mods and what we deserve since we deviate from O.E. standards? That statement is uncalled for and will get you into trouble with the Moderators and regular membership of this forum. No one deserves car problems regardless of the circumstances. So I highly recommend that you exercise caution before going off the deep end with misplaced comments in the future.

[tblake]

C'mon guys, cant we all just get along??

Anyways!

Just got her going. It cranked decent for being so darn cold, but kept firing and still wouldnt turn over. So I floored the gas pedal. Poof! as soon as I heard that I let off, and the idle stabilized and it ran. You should have seen the smoke out the back end. It covered the whole city block. My neighbor yelled outside to ask if everything was ok.

I let it run as I picked up my extension cords and batt charger. Then I went up town, filled up with gas (at a quarter tank) and took it for a 5 mile trip.

Good to Go! Runs smooth, good accelleration!

Thanks For the Help Bob and Airjer!

BTW, as I was unhooking my battery charger I glanced at my coolant elbow at the tensioner. Under it looked sort of washed. Followed the leak to under my engine cover and right up by the front valve cover! Lucky Me! Bob, I'm sure you know what that means! Hopefully it will last untill the summertime. The coolant level is fine, so Its probably just in the beginning stages.

Bob, what have you heard about the ZZP ported and polished Lower Intake Manifolds, any good? A good investment for a few extra horses?

Well, I think I am going to take advantage of my "personal holiday" day and go run to the bank and get a haircut! Later guys, thanks!

[tblake]

BTW yeah Bob, I was afraid that I messed up my PCM after the jumpstart. So far its been ok, so I hope I'm in the clear. No more jumpstarting for me.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by tblake

Bob, what have you heard about the ZZP ported and polished Lower Intake Manifolds, any good? A good investment for a few extra horses?

You're welcome Tim.

Tim just start a new thread concerning that mod and I will be happy to give you my two cents worth and other suggestions for Phase II/III mods. We don't want to get Mr Airjer into a tizzy since we deviate from O.E. standards. .........................

[tblake]

Oh Man! LOL, I dont think he minds. He realizes they are our cars and what we do with them is up to us.

BTW, I highly doubt the MOD's i've done had anything to do with the reason why my car didnt start.

New thread will be started.