97 Blazer potential flooded engine?

[Moneer81]

Hello,

My 1997 S-10 Blazer has been having trouble starting on and off. I live in North Dakota where it has been real cold but lately we got a week of real warm weather and it rained for a few days (which is unheard of in February) and then my Blazer simply refuses to start. The engine turns over just fine and the starter is 1 year old but it won't fire. I also smell gas. I suspect it is flooded since I tried to start it many times. Generally speaking, what has to be done if the engine is flooded?

Thanks

[tempfixit]

Which engine?
How many miles on engine?
Last tuneup?
Check fuel pressure.
Check all fuses.

Remove all spark plugs to see if there are wet from gas. Remove fuel pump fuse and crank engine over to clear excess gas. While you have plugs out check compression.

Check ignition switch this year is known for bad igntion switches.

Had any work been done on vehicle before problem started?

Where in ND?

[duke350]

Also, if you think it has flooded, at the very least check the oil. Better yet, change the oil. Gas will leak down into the oil and thin it out, leading to destroyed bearings. If it wouldn't fire when it warmed up and was humid, but you smell gas the first thing I would check would be the ign system. Moisture in the cap will cause this. And as stated, check the ign switch.

[mike2004tct]

If you still have the original plug wires on it, replace them. Also the cap and the rotor.

Went through the same with mine, after replacing all electrical stuff; EEM, coil,distributor,module,fuel pump(hole in feeder hose). 1 month later on a rainy day, truck wouldn't start. Replaced the wires, everythings fine now.

[MT-2500]

If it is flooded pull spark plugs and if wet on the ends with gas blow out cylinders with a air hose and replace plugs.
If flooded there is a reason.
ALWAYS CHECK FOR FUEL PRESSURE UP TO PAR AND GOOD HOT BLUE SPARK TO ALL PLUGS.

[Moneer81]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Had any work been done on vehicle before problem started?

Where in ND?

No work has been done on the engine. I'm in Fargo, ND.

[Moneer81]

Thanks for all the replies...I was out of town so didn't have time to get back to the forums.

It has been over a week since my Blazer has been dead. I have been trying to start it every other day or so but a couple days after it died I started hearing this rattling noise coming from the front when I crank it. It almost sounds like something is loose. I hope I didn't damage anything with my attempts to start it.

I am gonna go put on my heave duty winter gear and get my hands a little dirty. I'll start by replacing the oil and checking the spark plugs.

[Moneer81]

Okay so I just messed around with my blazer this afternoon. To begin with, I took my oil cap off and took a sniff, and it smelled like a gas tank! There was definitely a strong gas smell in the oil...

I tried to inspect my spark plugs. Here is the embarrassing part: where in the world are they? I looked everywhere. I tried to look for my distributor cap and follow the wires (I should have an electronic distributor, right? I have a 4.3 V6 Vortec engine) but I wasn't able to find that either. What is the best way to get at the spark plugs/find them?

[MT-2500]

To find dist just follow the coil wire from coil to it.
To find plugs just follow the plug wire from dist down to them.
To get to plugs after you find them jack it up and put on stands and remove front wheels and look threw fender wells at engine.
If you are having that much problems find them it may be best to find a good repair shop to help you.
But atleast do the proper testing as outlined.
Good luck

[junior7]

The distributor is behind the engine up towards the firewall. It may not be round depending on your engine. It could have a flat top.

To be honest with with you, changing your plugs is kind of a pain in the ass on this motor. At least I think so. They may have heat shields around them,so thats why you cant see the caps.

If you start pulling wires, I would mark them with a sharpie which cylinder they go to. Cylinders 2,4 and 6 are are on the passenger side.

A ratchet that pivots makes the plug job a LOT easier. I used a small Snap-On swivel/pivot adapter on the pivoting ratchet. Plan on some scraped up knuckles and hands!

ETS- Like MT said, taking the front wheels off makes it easier too, if you have a jack and stands.