[wilf1234]

I have inherited a Norlett Tillermate - it's be undercover outside for x years, and unfortunately uncovered for the past 12 months.

Engine turns but no spark. I've changed the plug, taken the pull cord off and cleaned the points, but still no joy - it's an absolute mess in there. I only crudely repositioned the coil. Am I wasting my time?

One problem is that when I took the coil off to clean the points I didn't spot where a bare copper wire was attached. There's another insulated wire from the coil which presumably goes to a condenser somewhere, but does this bare wire indicate that someone has tried to bodge it previously as it looks out of place and can only really connect back on the fixing bolt for the coil? I've circled the bare wire in the attached photo.

As you can probably tell, I have a dangerous amount of knowledge! Any advice gratefully received.

Would it be better just to look out for a replacement engine? (is that possible?) (the existing engine turns over ok and seems to have compression)

Cheers

W

[Growing Weather]

Looks like it needs a good clean up for starters but you know that.

 This is what I would do

Reset the airgap. Looks to me like the wire with the ring connector should go to Earth try putting it on one of the small bolts that holds the flywheel cover in place. then check for a spark.

[wilf1234]

Looks like it needs a good clean up for starters but you know that.

 This is what I would do

Reset the airgap. Looks to me like the wire with the ring connector should go to Earth try putting it on one of the small bolts that holds the flywheel cover in place. then check for a spark.

Thanks - I judged the gap by eye (which has worked before on other machines). Does it need to be more accurate than say sticking a piece of scrap sandpaper in?

PS I put a meter on the coil and it seems to be fine ohms wise (3k)

Cheers

[Growing Weather]

I would try using a small square cut out of a plastic milk container (nearly said bottle) as a feeler gauge. If that doesn't give the correct air gap I will be surprised. Or to do it the posh way you could google the correct specs for your engine and use a feeler gauge.

[wilf1234]

I would try using a small square cut out of a plastic milk container (nearly said bottle) as a feeler gauge. If that doesn't give the correct air gap I will be surprised. Or to do it the posh way you could google the correct specs for your engine and use a feeler gauge.

You can probably tell from the state of my workshop that I'm a scrap plastic type of guy rather than Gucci feeler gauge!!

[Growing Weather]

Let us know how you get on

[wilf1234]

No joy - still absolutely dead....

[Growing Weather]

No joy - still absolutely dead....

Do you have a spark

[Growing Weather]

and petrol getting to the pot

[wilf1234]

No joy - still absolutely dead....

Do you have a spark

Nope, no spark. Coil tests OK.

Cheers

[Growing Weather]

On off switch ?

[wilf1234]

On off switch ?

Nope, just the throttle lever....

[Growing Weather]

I would splash out on a new condenser/Coil

[R Tallentire]

Double check you have the points gap correct (0.020") spotlessly clean and that they are closing. If it has a single wire from points to coil there must be some other way of stopping it, as normally there is a second wire from points to some type of "earth to kill" switch. The wire you ringed on the photo is the earth for the coil and must be trapped under a coil mounting screw. The air gap should be 0.006" to 0-010" for 3hp B & S and 0.010" to 0.014" for 5hp engines. This should be checked at the magnetic bit of the flywheel. Normally you get a good fat spark as you flick the magnet past the coil. You don't with the later, contactless coils, lucky if you can see one but with no points to corrode or points pushrod to stick, they are more reliable and can be retro-fitted, as long as you know what engine you have.

[jezza]

Hello I was at a machinery dealer last week picking some parts up ,he had a  N,O,S (new old stock ) 3.5 hp Briggs &Stratton engine  for sale it's the engine used on ATCO mowers jezza