i have a 1985 oldsmobile cutlass ciera with a 3.0L V8 and in the past two weeks the engine has been flooding most times that i try to start it and gas has been being guzzled at an alarming rate (to my wallet)... i thought it might be the fuel filter but then i figured that if it was that, the engine would probably not be getting ENOUGH gas...not too much. i could be wrong.

any suggestions or ideas on what could be wrong with it...its always been a bit of a gas guzzler, but now its out of hand.

any help would be appreciated! thanks.

Well first of all its probably a typo but 3.0L V6* not V8. Other thing is carburated engines are less efficient than fuel injected engines. Also the design and technology is 19 years old? So there is only so much u can expect from it. I checked for your engine and year and brand new in 1985 its 18MPG city and 25MPG highway.
Has it had a full tune up lately, thats the first thing you could start to look at...
A old clogged fuel filter could be a factor in reducing fuel consumption, id say replace it, not expensive, and can be done at home with basic tools. Also spark plugs will make a big difference if there old, woren out or have soot/oil on the tips. The Ac delco rapidfires are nice spark plugs, but not required and they do cost quite a bit more than the normal tip ac delco plugs.

is it carburated or injected? If it has a carb, check the operation of your choke.

Yeah, sounds like a sticky choke... Take some carb cleaner and spray all your butterfly valves down, and if neccesary, do a carb kit...

I had the same problem with mine, and it was the O2 sensor, changed it, everything was fine. Mines fuel injected.