Flooding issues

[Mimus]

Hi,
 
I flooded my engine last weekend, but eventually managed to get it started again (with lots of smoke), but once the revs settled down I took it for a drive and it all felt and sounded fine.
 
I drove it every day afterwards and the car was starting fine from cold (and hot) with no problems, but mid-week I was finding it really difficult to start. It would start eventually with a fair bit of smoke, but really sounded like it was on the verge of flooding again, but once it was going the car was running fine.
 
Worried that my engine is on the way out and this is just a sign of low compression. Anyone got any ideas as to what else might be wrong, or anything to try? :3Confused
 
Thanks,
 
.
Mike

[Alison]

I\'m new to all this flooding malarky aswell! lol. I\'ve had the same thing recently and I found that taking the spark plugs out and giving them a really glood clean helped no-end!
 
If you\'ve already done that then someone a bit more experienced will help you I\'m sure Also, if you\'re worried, take it for a compression test, it\'s always best to know what you\'re dealing with! You never know you might be pleasantly surprised...I was!

[Mimus]

Probably a good idea, but being completely new to this , anyone got advice for how to remove the spark plugs, steps to take, etc.? They don\'t look to be all that easy to get to. Also, any recommendations for new spark plugs to use if I change them?

[Alison]

Not that easy to get to no, we took the passenger side wheel off and got to two of them from underneath, seemed to help a little.
 
Have a look at this too:
 
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36098

[Mimus]

Ah, cheers for the link. That\'s perfect. Will give it a go at the weekend.

[chopper2k22]

Easier way is to pop to Halfords and get a short stubby flex ratchet, you can go in from the top of the car then, have all plugs out in 10 min and saves crawling underneath the car:)