Get my mower running - Formerly 'Spark Problem (Lawn Mower)'

[Howley]

Hi All,

I have an Alroh Reel Mower with a Honda G65 engine. It was running a few years ago, but has been sitting under a basic shelter outside and is currently not running. I've torn it down and checked it over, and it seems the carb is ok (looks clean inside), and it's getting air (not much to go wrong here, just a simple air filter that is clean enough.
I think the problem is the spark. I can get a slight spark off a screwdriver pushed into the lead (turning the engine by hand off the flywheel), but it isn't very strong looking, and when I put the spark plug in I don't get anything really at all. The plug looks old, and the electrodes are black (sooty). I was getting a consistent spark off the screwdriver using the ripcord, but that's taken off now.
Would you expect me to get a spark off a new plug? I don't know what else I can do, it looks like the lead isn't easily replaceable, and it seems like that wouldn't go bad from just sitting there.

Any input would be appreciated.

[Raux]

confused, but is the plug wire making a good connection to the plug? maybe a bad wire?

[Howley]

The lead seems ok and the connection with the plug seems 'normal'. What's confusing?

[Howie]

I would try a new plug, some fresh gas and maybe a squirt of ether.  The cost won't
set you back too much.

[64duc]

  You won't see much spark turning the flywhel by hand. These engines are designed to turn at approximatly 200 to 250 RPM using the recoil starter.
If you see anything at all turning the flywheel by hand, the ignition is probably good.  Howies  suggestion is correct, new plug, new gas, and the TINIEST shot of ether. Put the recoil back on, install the new plug, and see if it fires, backfires, or gives any result at all. Also check the exhaust for Mud Daubers. Don't know how many small engines (mostly weed eaters) i've seen wont run because the exhaust is completly plugged by an old mud dauber nest. I would be surprised if the carb is clean enough to run properly after sitting for any length of time with old gas, however a dirty spark plug will stop it cold. The ether will bypass the posibility of a dirty carb and tell you if the engine is otherwise capable of running.

 All that said, Honda engines have been reasonably bullet proof for years

[Howley]

Thanks for the input guys. All I have to do is get the recoil starter going again (the spring jammed, meaning I had to take it out, meaning I now need to put it back in). I'll try a new plug and get some fresh fuel and ether.

[64duc]

       Those things are fun. Done a hunnerd of em.

[Howley]

Got the spring back in. I drilled a hole in the casing and fed the spring in that way. I have no idea how they got it in there any other way!

[ungeheuer]

Got the spring back in. I drilled a hole in the casing and fed the spring in that way. I have no idea how they got it in there any other way!

I do the same thing to get the engine oil out, you can then use your discarded sparkplug as a bung to keep the new oil in  .

[Howley]

Haha bush mechanics! I now found that the terminal on the spark plug has come off in the lead so I can't get a new plug in, so I need to get a new lead just for the plug. Also need a new o-ring for the fuel petcock. Wicked having a project though!

[ungeheuer]

You dont need to go to the expense of a new plug lead  ...

Simply unscrew the terminal cap off your new sparkplug and throw it away.  Then with your new unterminalized sparkplug held safely in a vice, have a couple of friends help you hold the mower aloft, turning the entire machine above you in a clockwise direction whilst holding the plug lead onto the top of your new sparkplug until the lead (and entrapped original plug terminal) become screwed onto your new sparkplug.  Easy! And much cheaper than costly new plugleads  .

[Howley]

I got some friends over and tried that already, but the inside of the old terminal is stripped out so it doesn't screw in.

[Howley]

OK, latest update.

I have a raging spark off the screwdriver and a new plug so I'm confident I'm getting a good spark. I took the carb apart and cleaned all the 'jets', float bowl etc as much as I could (it was pretty clean inside, just some sediment in the bottom of the float bowl). Problem is it's still not running, even with ether, not even showing the slightest sign.
I'm running out of free/cheap things to try. I don't know what else could go wrong from the thing just sitting there. What's next, compression?

Any ideas would be great.

[ungeheuer]

I took the carb apart and cleaned all the 'jets', float bowl etc as much as I could.... Problem is it's still not running, even with ether, not even showing the slightest sign.

Hmmm... You seem to think the carb is all good.... sooo... you have fuel....

I'm confident I'm getting a good spark.

...and something with which to set fire to that fuel....

....and it's getting air

...and oxygen to allow the combustion to occur...

What's next, compression?

Do you HAVE any compression?  Stuck open valve maybe??

If its none of the above then perhaps its time you invited  Rodger Allan Nauertz  around to.... um... encourage the uncooperative POS  >>  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40603.0

[64duc]

  I just looked that model no. up and discovered that they were discontinued in 1980. One problem older Honda engines had was the rocker arms were stamped steel and would split on their pivot point. When this happens the push rod drops out of the rockerarm and the valve stops working. Could fool you at first because it was usually the exhaust valve and would still have compression. Might take the valve cover off and have a looksee.