Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Car won't start.. flooded.. now starts BAD noise??

Here's the back ground 95se duratech, 5 spd. 130,000 miles.
Washed the car Sunday inside and out(not the engine). Moved it back and forth a couple times. Checked all fluids everything was fine. Hubby went out Monday to go to work and it wouldn't start . Pulled front 3 plugs they were soaked with gas, cleaned them, put them back in still no go pulled them again soaked again. Had it towed to the garage, they charged the battery (ran it dead trying to start it). They got it to start last night, but it is making a horrible lifter noise like the cam shaft is out of it . My questions are what would have caused it to flood itself out like that and why would that cause the engine noise?? This engine has never made any sounds except the ones it is supposed to make!! Any suggestions would be terrific. Thanks in advance, my baby is sick and I don't like it !! I don't drive it very often, but I am having with drawl knowing it's not going to be home at 5:30 so I can take a spin and blow off some aggrivation if needed!!

Severe flooding can dump a lot of gas into the oilpan, this thins the oil out and kills it's lubricity (yes it's a real word).

Whenever flooding occours the oil should be checked, and changed if necessary before damage is done to the engine.

They did that today and let it run for a minute or two, it is still making the same sound. Thanks for the suggestion. Anyone have any other ideas....really don't want to have to do major motor work if I don't have too...atleast not right now the 3.0 fund isn't high enough yet!!!