When I parked my Merry Tiller outside last season it had been going ok. The other day when I tried to start it the engine made no attempt to start. I removed and cleaned the plug. I can't definitely say I saw the plug spark in the bright sunlight, but a small neon light flashed as I rotated the flywheel.
I removed the plug and inserted a small amount of (unleaded) petrol on to the cylinder. Still no go. The plug is dry when I remove it.
It's a 3hp Major. How do I get at the points?. Can't see how I can remove the flywheel, if need be.
The tank was nearly empty and I filled it with new petrol.
I look forward to your opinions/advice.

The first thing is to definitely find whether there is a spark or not before you disassemble anything, try checking it in a shed or at night. Try heating the spark plug up with a hot air blower ...keep away from the petrol...and then trying to start it whilst the plug is warm.

Hi Sammy,
If the spark is O.K., I would suggest you take the aircleaner off/open the choke & spray a little 'Easy Start' into the carb. Close the choke & give it a try on high throttle.
I would say last years old fuel has 'gummed up ' a bit. The spray may ease the situation. If it fires & dies, you know it's not the ignition. Keep trying the spray until it runs. I always add LR mixture to fuel. It helps with valve lubrication on the older engines.

I had another inspection of the plug to see if it was sparking and I could see no spark. The test with the small neon bulb, flashing, was misleading I think, as it strikes at a considerably lower voltage than that required to make a spark. So, what is causing the reduced voltage to the plug?. The insulation on the lead looks ok. How do I get at whatever else needs looking at?. The engine has never once attempted to start. Gandalf and Tel, thank you for your replies.

Hello,

I have just sent a mail via this forums pm system with offer of some info' that may help your quest for the errant spark.

I think 10,000v is the stuff of sparks...and enough to jump at least 4mm from lead to earth if all is well.


All the best,
Clive.

when my merry tiller doesnt start at the beginning of the season i remove the plug, pour in a small amount of fuel( about a teaspon) replace the plug and pull the cord. this alw ays works

good luck

I use a similar solution to David's idea. After removing the plug I put in a whiff of that SureStart stuff from a can and the old girl bursts into life at first pull.
Its recommended that you put this stuff in the carb. but I found it much more effective if it goes directly into the spark plug hole.

John

Sammy sent me a pm.....reporting that the lost spark has been found and reinstalled in the engine.

Where did Sammy find the lost spark ? Shallotman

I think he found it had fell off during storage in the big shed.....or, perhaps found a tin of new ones

In reality it involved removal of starter clutch and thence flywheel to access and fettle up the contact set.

Clive.