Firing problem

Timing?  Too much fuel?

Edited by HoughMade - 03 Jun 2019 at 10:20am

Generally, no.  How have you tested for spark and fuel?

I have a little inline spark tester that I used to check for spark. And the carburetor is getting flooded trying to crank it for too long.

spencefarm wrote: How best should I check the timing?

Cold, non running or static timing on any four cycle engine is timed at TDC on the compression stroke at number one cylinder. Depending on what engine, you look for the TDC on the flywheel where the inspection hole is located. At that point if it has a distributor the rotor would need to be pointed to the number one wire terminal with the points (just)ready to open. On a magneto the impulse will snap just past TDC.

Put new plugs in before messing with the timing. Then, a little starting fluid to make sure you don't have a fuel issue. Then you have ruled two things out. Then a compression check. All within 10%, number dosen't matter. Then , maybe look at timing.

Timing would be the last thing that wouldn't allow it to fire and run, if it is at all close.

Regarding timing, I do it a little different but, it's a very accurate way of setting timing.

When #1 is coming up on the compression stroke, stop the flywheel at the timing mark that the book or you want for timing. Set the point gap, to your specs, then put one of the ohmmeter wires to the points and ground the other side.

You then twist the distributor until the ohmmeter indicates a open circuit (points break) and lock the distributor down. You then have the exact timing, if the bushing in the distributor are good. You do it the same way with a mag. You can also use this system for checking total timing turn the flywheel to the total timing mark you want, then twist the rotor shaft, to advance the centrifugal weights and the ohmmeter should show a circuit break, if not, hold the advance and again twist the distributor until it breaks. I do the total advance and ignore the initial advance.


Edited by frnkeore - 03 Jun 2019 at 11:39am

Charge the battery and then try. My CA does just what you are describing even down to the flooding carb.

Seems like a partially discharged battery will have enough juice to start turning over, sucking fuel, etc but not enough umpf to ignite the fuel.