Small Engine Repair Question

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Silly question but what is the easiest way to check for a spark? I just take it out, keep the lead on the + and hold the plug threads to the block to act like the ground and turn her over. Is there a better way?

that's it.
put plug back in plug wire and ground the other end of the plug.

try putting just the plug wire close to the block.

make sure its bare metal.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Silly question but what is the easiest way to check for a spark? I just take it out, keep the lead on the + and hold the plug threads to the block to act like the ground and turn her over. Is there a better way?

Put plug back in.

Hold lead between thumb and finger.

Barefoot.

In water is best.

Don't listen to me.

I'm an ass.

[Steve Carlton]

"There's no gas in it."

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Put plug back in.

Hold lead between thumb and finger.

Barefoot.

In water is best.

Don't listen to me.

I'm an ass.

Terrible advice.

He left out the part where you make a video of the test....

[M.D. Holloway]

I've played so many tricks on his head over the years he is skeptical of suggestions that don't sound right. Before he put the engine on the frame he was looking for SAE30 oil. I told him where it was but he said he didn't see it. While he was messing with something on the other end of the garage I found a qt of the SAE30 and put it right beside the engine.

I walked over to him and said in almost a whisper "dude, check out what's near the engine." Immediately he backs up and gets all alert. I smile and he looks. He doesn't see it. I say 'get closer' in a soft voice. He squints and inches a little closer. "Buddy, you don't see it?" I say smiling. He looks and looks at me and says "what, what is it? Is it a spider? A snake? You put a snake over there?!?" at this point he is boarderline frantic.

I start laughing and walk a little toward it and he grabs my shoulder "no, your gonna do something!" and now he's laughing but completely unsure of what the heck it is. I say 'Son, when have I ever hurt you? Seriously. Would I put a snake or a spider near the engine then tell you to look? Now, walk over there and pick up the quart of oil and put some in the engine ya knuckle head!' He looks straight at it and says 'what oil?'

I walk over pick it up and it was like he just saw an angel. "Dad I swear I didn't see it!. Now mind you, he has 20x10 vision. I said, 'that's because you were convinced it didn't exist'

[rusnak]

Have him hold a light bulb. Tell him to put the spark plug in his mouth for the "spark test" while you reach for the starter..........

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Silly question but what is the easiest way to check for a spark? I just take it out, keep the lead on the + and hold the plug threads to the block to act like the ground and turn her over. Is there a better way?

Yep. Go to the lawnmower store and buy a cheap tool/plug extension that has a thingie in it that will flash if coil is sending juice to the plug.

http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/ignition-tester/oem-in-line-ignition-spark-tester/900800_0_0/?cmpid=PS:3:1:86

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

"There's no gas in it."

Can't stop laughing.