Good way for one man to check spark while pulling cord?

[TRTermite]

W

Shore do.
Right betwinx them thar roads in corner of NE Okla. (sometimes called the 3 states area. Ok, Ar, and Mo)

The more people I meet the more I like my dawgs now days.

Worked some saw blades over for the Himes Bros. Mill in Pineville MO. in the late 70s'

 

[Marine5068]

Just because you get a spark with a plug that has a normal gap and held in air outside the engine doesn't guarantee that it will fire in the engine under compression. A better test is to try with a spare plug gapped to about 0.080". If it will fire that in air, it will likely do it under compression as well.

Maybe poor compression

 

[pdqdl]

Or...

You could always spend $12 on a spark checker tool to do it for you. They have the right gap 'n everything.

 

[medalist]

Mmm...preliminary test...use a proper spark tester that has a gap and easily properly grounded.
Secondary test, inline neon spark tester for high speed or heat related failure diagnosis.

Tools increase your chance of making the right diagnosis the first time. So based on how much your time is worth, proper tools are inexpensive.

In my lifetime working on everything mechanical (except airplanes and submarines) I'll suggest most fail to start issues are fuel related or operator related.

Owning a tach, flywheel puller, spark testers, vacuum tester, and possessing either intimate knowledge and/or service manual is leaning in right direction.

 

[user 122190]

Grab the plug in your fist. Take a pee first or you might wet yourself.