No spark?

[Micky]

Got a new generator about 18 months ago, started it to see if it worked OK, no problem.

Dug it out of storage 6 months later and gave it a run, all was OK.

Today it won't go. No spark at the plug so where's it gone?

Not a lot to look at and test on these things and this one has had less then 10 minutes running.

Did try another plug as a habit, but it made no difference.

Anyone got any ideas what the problem could be, before i dump it.

 

[Lakesailor]

How do you stop it when it's running? Is there a switch which earths out the igntion? Is that broken, or stuck?

 

[Micky]

It has an on/off toggle switch, that works OK according to my meter.

 

[VicS]

Conventional magneto? If so have you checked the points, condition of coil and condenser.

Electronic ignition? HT coil or "power pack" could be faulty.

 

[Micky]

Hi VicS

Yes, electronic ignition. Only a cheap Genny from B&Q so probably not worth searching out for spares + with less then 10 minutes running and the thing is dead, not exactly a reliable piece of kit.

Guess i will end up slinging it, and get another with good known feedback for reliability.

 

[tyce]

how are you testing the plug for a spark, are you grounding it against the engine if not you will not get a spark

 

[JonJon]

Had the same problem with two of those little gennies bought thru Screwfix (they were labelled Wolf) a couple of years back sent them both back - useless garbage! Although some people seem lucky with them I suspect they couldnt survive the damp climate in my garage - they worked initially like yours.

 

[jhughes]

You want to check that rodents haven't nibbled through the wiring, I have a sixties classic Honda moped stored and the last time I went to start it, no spark. Further investigation revealed that a mouse had nested in the hollow frame and nibbled the wiring!

 

[JonJon]

If a mouse can get to the wiring on these then "hes a better man than I am gungadin." Its all sealed no maintenance stuff -thats part of the problem you cant inspect service or replace anything on the electrical side easily. Sort of cristmas cracker engineering.

 

[Alrob]

I seem to remember other posts about these gennies from B&Q not working, I must do a search
If it is in good nick I would take it back they might exchange it as you have lost the receipt and only bought it 11 months ago - /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[antsinupants]

if you intend to store a two stroke engine, you need to turn of the petrol tap and run the carb dry. if you dont the petrol will evaporate leaving the oil in the carb,
when you come to start it again you oil up the crank case and the plug making it hard to start

 

[Lakesailor]

Would that effect the spark?

 

[oldharry]

Yes - oil and muck on the plug could short it out, giving the impression of no spark. Except this time he's already tried a new plug, so its not that.

 

[Lakesailor]

???

 

[steve28]

the plug cap on these are terrible, also i took out the original plug and put an ngk one in.
All was fine then