<!-- from fixya rte -->#4 spark plug always wet with gasoline - 1998 kawasaki ZZR 400

question edited for clarity.
Question moved from Cars and Trucks category.

Put in new gasoline and a new plug. Make sure it has a spark and compression.

https://www.google.com/search?q=poulan+pro+405

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check the carb float may be stuck from laying on side also change plug

Hello !
Engine spark plug in what status is it ??? , it is easily screwed into your engine's throttle as it can get rid of compression if the engine bonnet thread is broken.
After the missed start attempts, the spark plug is always dampened with gasoline, the spark is no longer present because it is short-circuited by the existing moisture between the spark plug electrodes, it is very important that the spark plug must be clean, not wet.
Always after failing engine fails, put the spark plug out, blow the engine through a few short maneuvers, without the spark plug, then with another spark plug, carefully mount it not to cover the thread, and then mount the power cord plug to the spark plug, and try a start, if you have a shock of air, it is on the middle action.
Spark plug It is good to replace it with another one to be sure to start.
Always observe the distance of the external electrode from the center of the spark plug, this distance is very important, if it is too big it does not start, or it starts hard, goes off, etc., at a too small distance it does not turn and gets wet quickly, and the engine it worked badly.
The usual values for the distance between electrodes are around 0.7 ... 1.2 mm ... 1mm is a good distance.
The wet spark plug can be rebuilt by holding it with the electrode in the flame of a gas cooker.
Keep it in the oven flame until the outer electrode is bleached, then let it cool down normally, then clean it with a wire brush.
Follow the air route to the carburetor, do not be clogged with rags, if you have the air filter ok, etc.
As you described the symptoms, with a good spark plug, it should start.
Good luck!

Because big break ,is possible that the piston rings to be stuck on their channels, due to burnt oil deposited in operation, if one of the many km as possible and wear rings, cylinder liner etc.
You need a solution to wash and degrease the segments, pour it into a cylinder, before you pull out the spark plug, which you search if it is wet and smells gasoline, it is a sign that it is fed correctly with gasoline ... do not overdo it with the washing solution, a 50 miles is enough.
Close gasoline, if you can not remove the hose coming from the pump, to the engine to avoid aspiration of gasoline while washing the cylinder, and do some startup maneuvers, plug the spark plug hole with a finger towel, thus preventing immediate evacuation of the cleaning solution and thus wash the cylinder and clean the segments, and observe the compression. After a few such maneuvers, all the cleaning solution will be discharged from the cylinder, now put a clean cloth in the spark plug hole, that the cloth no longer has anything wet on it, it is a sign that there is no cleansing liquid in the cylinder.
repeat the idle operation to make sure it's airy, fit a good spark plug, put the gas hose back on and have to start.
Preventive, check the air path, not clogged, clogged air filter, etc.
Good luck!

yes you inserted it but did you dry and or clean it a wet or fouled plug wont spark and also if didnt correct excess fuel wont fire up either

It could mean the plug is not firing, or the injector may be at fault, like having a stuck open injector or leaking. First make sure the plug is sparking.

Spark plug gets wet because it's running too cold. Loosen plug and retighten only tight enough so it doesn't loosen from vibrations. Just a tad beyond hand tight is enough. This way the spark plugs heat is not dissipated to the cylinder head and run much hotter burning away any excess fuel deposits.

Larry - the manual isn't really going to help you get this started. Press the primer bulb - if provided a couple of times to get gasoline into the cylinder. You may hear it squirt - or even see it drip from the carburetor. Try starting. If it didn't, remove the spark plug. Is it wet with gasoline? Is the chamber filled with gasoline fumes (you can slowly pull the starter rope to move the piston up and force the air in the cylinder out to smell for gasoline). It wet, dry it throughly. If there is no gasoline odor, give a brief spray of starting fluid or ether into the spark plug opening - and install a new plug - or the clean old one. Attempt to start again. If it tries to start and sputters, you likely have a fuel delivery issue. Make sure the shut off valve at the bottom of the tank or inline on the fuel line is open. If it is, I suspect that the float in the carburetor or needle valve needs to be cleaned / adjusted or replaced. You may want to have this done for you as there are some very small parts involved and attention to detail when re-assembling will be required. Carburetor rebuild kits are available for most of these engines.

I don't think it is your O2 sensor especially from the catylatic, because you mention smelling like gas and presence of gasoline. "Plugs" hopefully referal to the spark plugs, try to trace where you see gasoline and where it is coming strongest from. This is a case of leaked fuel line, fuel rails, fuel injectors.
1) Trace the source of where it is wet, there maybe a leak somewhere and you car is not getting the amount of fuel pressure to combust and thus make the engine dies. 2) Check your fuel injectors, fuel line rail, could be leaking or become loosen and is spraying gas when the fuel line is pressured into the spark plug socket. 3) You may have a dead spark plug one or more, and isn't combusting the gasoline, thus creating no compression leading to engine dying. 4) Leaking head gasket. Best is tracing where the gas is spewing from. That should help.

DO COMPRESSION TEST SOUND LIKE BLOWN HEAD GASKET OVER THAT CYLINDER WITH WET PLUG.IF THE PLUG HAS GAS ON IT.SMELL IT IF IT IS GASOLINE ON SPARK PLUG YOU COULD HAVE BAD SPARK PLUG, YOU COULD HAVE BAD DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR AND SPARK PLUG WIRE COULD BE BAD.