ORIGINAL: panioul
Hello! I have problem with an old engine too. I cannot start it. Fuel is drown to the carb and if I remove the plug it is also wet. I replaced the spark plug and checked for a spark but I only saw sparks a couple of times. I assuming that the ignition has problem (It is the old style, not electronic, it is like Zenoah 38). If the ignition coil has problem how can I fix it?
I assume that you have an egine with a magneto. The first thing to check is your plug. If you have a new plug try that and if you consistantly get a blue/white spark across the electrodes you should have solved the problem. Then make sure your points are gapped to manufacturer's specification. Clean the points with a clean cotton cloth dipped in lacquer thinner or any quick evaporating solvent. Even fresh gasoline (with no oil added) will work. If there is still no reliable consistant spark it's probably your coil. If you have an ohm meter you could check the primary coil windings for proper resistance - I wouldn't know the proper value. If you get an infinite resistance reading on you ohm meter the coil windings are open and the coil is bad and need replacing. If the coil checks out OK there is possibly a bad condensor. Condensors hardly ever fail but are cheap and easy to replace.
Good luck,
Bill