Post above ^^^^ has some good information for you Sennie. The flooding & gurgling is happening because you have liquid in the center air channel. First, let's get that liquid cleared out & then we'll see why it's happening in the first place.
A carto without a tank can get flooded too. Solution is to blow out the excess and then vape away. It's not quite so easy when the carto is in a tank. So...turn your tank upside down so that the the liquid is not covering the carto's punched holes. Now place a tissue over the drip-tip (you didn't want to drink that excess juice, did you?
) Still holding the tank upside down, start drawing on the driptip to pull up that excess liquid. It's important that the liquid is not covering the holes in the carto because you don't want to be pulling more juice into the carto. You may want to clean out your driptip at this point. You should be able to see light from one end of the carto to the other. If not, then repeat the process or try the paperclip/needle trick that ruff posted about above ^^^^.
Now to why this is happening. Based on what you've posted, I have to believe that somehow in your refilling process excess juice is entering your carto. I highly doubt the number of holes, the voltage, the juice, or how you're drawing is the factor here because you seem to be able to vape at least a tankful before the problems ensue.
Do you use a carto tank filling tool? It not only saves your o-rings from the rough carto edges, but also allows you to drop the carto low enough without getting juice in the carto itself. Before I used this tool, I found that I had some flooding because the punched holes in my carto were too close to the bottom seal when I added juice to the tank. I didn't want to drop the carto down too low because then the juice would enter the top of the carto. (I hope this makes sense, lol. I'm having a hard time explaining it.) I could always resolve the issue by using the method above, but it's much easier just to use the tool & not mess with it.
For the record, the juice I use is 25%-30% VG, so not very thick. I punch two holes in my cartos - mostly boge or ikenvape cartos. I understand the filler in the Smok cartos is less dense, but since I don't use them I can't comment there. However, I've discovered that it really didn't matter what size the holes were or how many there were. I've had success with one tiny hole & once I had a large gaping hole - an accident with a saddle valve punch
- but it still worked without flooding. The only time I've had significant flooding that couldn't be solved was when I punched too deep & compromised the inner carto.
And a final word...if your carto is tasting harsh/burned then it's probably toast. Before tossing it, you might want to get a tweezers or needle nose pliers & pull out the innards. It will give you an education. Also, heavier/dark juices are not so kind to cartos. They will clog things up & the draw will get harder (but it will not cause flooding). However, if you've burned the inside of the carto it quite likely will flood.
Hope that helps. Let me know if it works.
