1999 Ford Contour?

Question

I have a 1999 ford contour 4 cyclinder and it will not start. It is getting way to much fuel and causing the engine to flood. Any ideas on what is causing this?

The engine will not start and when you take the spark plugs out they are really wet with a substance that smells like fuel

We have checked the timing belt and it is not broken nor does it have missing teeth and the spark plugs have fire.

Answer 1

Check for a broken timing belt. If you are getting fuel, you may not have spark. If the plugs are firing, and the timing belt is not broken or missing teeth, check compression.

Update: So you actually moved the timing cover out of the way and looked at the timing belt while someone else was turning the key? If the belt strips, it does so at the crankshaft. You will not be able to see it, unless someone else cranks while someone looks. If it is good, you need to check the engine's compression. It may not be making enough to fire, this is common on the 2.0 liter.

Answer 2

As yugie said, these things were famous for slipping the belt a couple of notches and causing nightmares like this... I had one that didn't break any teeth, the belt became too loose and decided to jump timing itself... First thing is to remove the valve cover and verify that the timing has not jumped..I don't care what the belt looks like.. as some belts I did had teeth hanging on but allowed the belt to jump.

If it checks out fine, check for fire from coil to spark plugs.. also check the fuel pressure regulator for overfueling but have only caught two of those in my life.... and the cars ran but had high oil levels (like 2 qts over on the stick)

Basically need a scan tool for codes first to get ideas.. but if the belt didn't hiccup check for fire... IMO

Answer 3

The only reason you would have gas soaked spark plugs is if your not getting spark. If your sure the timing belt is fine then work your way back up the ignition system. Maybe ignition module is bad?? Or bad distributor if that year has one. Good Luck...Hope I helped some.

Answer 4

Check motor mounts. Also, clean your IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. It can cause a jump in drivetrain if dirty and affects fuel mileage and power. If you needed converters, then the IAC is probably why. When it is dirty, it makes the engine run too rich, and wears the insides of exhuast systems out prematurely. You may require a trans fluid change. E-mail me back for instructions on how to do this the best way!

Answer 5

How do you know the engine is flooding? That would be highly unusual on a fuel injected engine.

Answer 6

Timing belt broken, or slipped