So last night when I went to start my van, I flooded it. I was being very stupid with the gas pedal and floored it a few times to try to vent out the fuel, but that made matters worse.

At full throttle it was stumbling and couldn’t stay running.

How long should I wait to try again? I’m picturing the spark plugs dripping with fuel and hoping I don’t need to replace them!

 

It's normally oil that will follow the plugs. Wait 30min or pull the fuel pump fuse and crank for a bit with the pedal to the floor. Do you have a leaky injector?

 

Tonight I tried to start it and it had the same symptoms. I could get it running and keep it running with the pedal almost to the floor, but it was definitely misfiring.

I’m thinking the plugs are just fouled from all the gas. The gas smell was very strong.

Any advice on changing these plugs? I’ve read a few are difficult to access — is there a specific extension I should use to get those?

Honestly I don’t think these plugs have been changed in twenty years.

 

Assuming it's been awhile, do a full tune and report back - plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air/fuel filter. As mentioned above, oil fouls plugs, not gas.

 

So it's one year later since I posted this thread, and my problem is back! Somehow everything went away last time -- a few days later it started a little better but ran rough, then it smoothed out.

Now it's not starting again, or starting and running very rough with the pedal pressed to nearly wide open throttle position.

Also there was soot or dark gray smoke coming from the passenger side of the engine, but I assume that was just rich gas. My exhaust is rusty and full of holes.

I'm now wondering if this is heat related? The temps have been humid and around 90.

Since this rough/no starting happened last year, I've been keeping the starter engaged longer and haven't had any problems. I haven't done a tune up yet.

Any other thoughts about a rough-starting/running old TBI? Is this heat related? I'll continue trying in the morning or afternoon.

 

When was the last time you did a full tune? Those parts wear out and if not maintained, not much point in chasing other things