4th Gen - Spark Plugs Flooded with Fuel

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:19 pm

Hi guys,

I need some help. I am currently restoring a JDM 4th Gen H22a and I've got an issue where it keeps getting flooded every 3-4 start ups and then doesn't start. I then have to pull out the spark plugs, clean them and then starts.

I've so far replaced;

- Fuel relay
- Fuel pump
- Put in injector cleaner and Tesco Momentum fuel
- Replaced O2 sensor (EML was on) and has gone

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Post by **Vtecmec** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:31 pm

I'd be looking at the fuel regulator if all the cylinders are flooding.

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:37 pm

Vtecmec wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:31 pm
I'd be looking at the fuel regulator if all the cylinders are flooding.

Ok thanks. Yes all four cylinders are flooded. Would it be best just to replace it the fuel regulator?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:46 pm

If you have a spare, yes, swap it out and see how you get on.

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:53 pm

Vtecmec wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:46 pm
If you have a spare, yes, swap it out and see how you get on.

I'm afraid I don't. Unless the H23 uses the same one?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:07 pm

Oddly, the h22 is a lower pressure than the H23. Only slightly, but not the same.

Post by **Drax** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:43 am

leaky injectors flooding the ports?
old spark plugs with poor spark?
engine running too rich?
dodgy thermo sensor?

just some of the suggestions/causes from other peoples flloding issues over the years i searched for on here

Scott560 · Post by **Scott560** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:52 am

could be leaky injectors. Is it a time thing - eg the longer you leave it, the less likely it is to start?

If it runs fine otherwise, then you can probably rule out most other issues as they would be noticeable whilst , whereas a slightly leaky injector isn't going to make much difference whilst running.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:17 am

I thought about injector leak, but with all 4 cylinders being affected, it maybe points to something a bit further down the line.

I'd swap the spare H23 regulator in there, should take about 10mins to swap it and see how it goes with a general run out. The pressure output is a range and those ranges do cross over slightly anyway.

arif_manji · Post by **arif_manji** » Fri Apr 22, 2022 10:37 pm

Vtecmec wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:07 pm
Oddly, the h22 is a lower pressure than the H23. Only slightly, but not the same.

@Vtecmec

I'll give it a try.

@Drax

Drax wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:43 am
leaky injectors flooding the ports? Possible! Although there isn't a strong smell in the engine bay.
old spark plugs with poor spark? Replaced already, issue persists sadly.
engine running too rich? It does run rich. It's been stood for a while and we no MOT, I'm not able to test drive it. But in my experience, all Prelude's do seem to run rich even with nothing wrong with them.
dodgy thermo sensor? Anyway to tell? It idles well (cold and warm) and temperature sits normal.

just some of the suggestions/causes from other peoples flloding issues over the years i searched for on here

@Scott560

Scott560 wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:52 am
could be leaky injectors. Is it a time thing - eg the longer you leave it, the less likely it is to start?

If it runs fine otherwise, then you can probably rule out most other issues as they would be noticeable whilst , whereas a slightly leaky injector isn't going to make much difference whilst running.

I will have to find a injector rail and fuel regulator or maybe swap them over from a H23 and see how this goes.