If the spark plug is wet with gasoline, what issue is likely causing the engine not to start?

When a spark plug is wet with gasoline, it typically indicates that there has been an overabundance of fuel in the combustion chamber, which is often referred to as flooding. This condition occurs when the fuel is not igniting properly, which can happen for a number of reasons, such as excessive cranking of the engine or a malfunction causing too much fuel to be delivered to the engine. In this state, the spark plug cannot produce a sufficient spark necessary for combustion due to the presence of excess fuel, leading to starting issues.

In contrast, a weak battery would result in insufficient power to turn the engine over, a clogged fuel filter would restrict fuel flow leading to inadequate fuel supply, and a faulty ignition coil would prevent the spark plug from igniting the air-fuel mixture effectively. However, none of these alternatives would typically manifest as a spark plug being wet with gasoline, which directly aligns with the symptom of flooding.