Small Engine Pondering

[pyat]

So, do gas push mowers have a battery, to provide spark? Mine has a key ignition, suggesting that there is a battery somewhere, surely? The ley ignition does nothing, and never has, so long as I've owned the beast - it's second hand. The pull cord worked in past years, but I could not start it today. After inspecting the spark plug, checking the gas and oil, etc., I can find no reason for it's reluctance.

Why is this keeping me awake? I have to be on a bus in 7 hours.

Also, the rusting tool that's been hanging in my garage since I moved in, left by the previous tenant? Swivel-head spark plug wrench. I'm going to write about that tomorrow.

Comments

[zorinlynx.livejournal.com]

Small gas engines don't use batteries; they use a magneto:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_system#Magneto_systems

It's a simple and reliable system for generating electricity for the spark.

The switch to kill the engine basically interrupts this circuit so there's no spark. Another way to kill a gas engine is to ground the spark plug to the frame, but this can be less reliable than just opening the circuit. And yeah, with a lawnmower you want it to stop immediately when you tell it to! :)

[firesign10.livejournal.com]

Advice from my Blogula:

Two things to check out of the gate:

1) clean the air filter - it is really easy to have that be too clogged to provide air.

2) remove the spark plug and test it - it might LOOK ok but still not generate a spark. Safety is an issue here - he said to look online for a how-to on testing spark plus (it was more than I could type here...). If this is second-hand and you have never replaced the spark plug, just go ahead and get a new one.

Also, check online for an owner's manual. Even older machines now have their manuals online a lot, and that may have more specific instructions.

Hope something here helps! :-)

[anidada.livejournal.com]

You can turn it in for a credit toward a nice shiny, environmentally friendly reel mower, if you can't fix it... Try Home Depot, Canadian Tire, probably Rona and Loews.

Or replace your grass with something that doesn't need mowing. :)