Tecumseh HH120 Won't Start

Given the age of the engine (now that I think about it)- what sort of shape are the breaker points and condenser in?

What year is the engine?

Yes, I was told it's a 1968.

Doc, it's a Solid State ignition module. No points, no condenser, no magnets.

I tried putting fuel in the cylinder, (this is the weird part), and after cranking for 10 seconds with no attempt at starting, I checked the plug again. Completely dry. Now that I think of it, I have never seen the plug wet. Yet, I have tried gas and starting fluid in the cylinder. The gas is that close, but it won't stick to the plug. Why?

Does the oil smell like gas?

Not that I've noticed. Never taken a whiff down the dipstick tho.

It has plenty of compression tho, if the gas was getting past the rings that bad, I would think it'd have no compression.

Do you notice gas around the exhaust? Maybe you have a valve stuck open. What I would do it pull the head and make sure both valves open and close completely

Yah, the valves are definitely not stuck open. Compression again. And when I bought it, the head was off. So I got a good look in there.

well, if it has good spark, good fuel and good compression it can really be very few things - first on my mind is timing. Spark may be hitting at wrong time, or the valves may not be opening at the right intervals. Best suggestion I can give at this point. Still, that old of an engine theres not much that can go wrong.

Well my latest breakthrough suggests the plug is not getting wet. Even after I dump gas in the cylinder...

BlackMountian88 wrote:

Well my latest breakthrough suggests the plug is not getting wet. Even after I dump gas in the cylinder...

then it has to be leaking past the rings somehow.

What happened to 100psi compression?

That's the thing, it's got 100!

Pics are downloading now.

I still think its ignition

Here are the photos. I have no clue how it works, I just know it does. The second one was the closest thing to a magnet I could find. Just a flat spot on the flywheel.

I'm sure it has a magnet but it's just covered in rust

That's bizzarre. I want to know what triggers the ignition. Something behind the coil perhaps? Take it off and look.

I'm researching my brains out on this one, as I am intrigued. Parts and info are hard to come by, but it appears that the coil is a standalone part. There's a stator and magnet behind the flywheel- this is what times the spark. Still digging.

I have a completely disassembled hh120 at home that I could take some good pictures off of later today, just tell me what you want a picture of.

That's great WTS- Should be helpful- thanks!

OK... read this article and posts - there seems to me a few clues there -

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/outdoor-gasoline-electric-powered-equipment-small-engines/330115-tecumseh-solid-state-ignition-troubles-magneto.html

particularly Cheese's post and onward. I now remember Ive had an engine of this series before and had the same problems you do, it was spark related and the pickup coil had a lot to do with it. Trigger coil, etc - they go by a lot of names depending on who you ask. Theyre a reliable system, but over-complicated.

I encourage you to read that - it will most likely help.

prometheusedi wrote:

OK... read this article and posts - there seems to me a few clues there -

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/outdoor-gasoline-electric-powered-equipment-small-engines/330115-tecumseh-solid-state-ignition-troubles-magneto.html

particularly Cheese's post and onward. I now remember Ive had an engine of this series before and had the same problems you do, it was spark related and the pickup coil had a lot to do with it. Trigger coil, etc - they go by a lot of names depending on who you ask. Theyre a reliable system, but over-complicated.

I encourage you to read that - it will most likely help.

Overcomplicated, perhaps for a simple OPE engine- but ahead of it's time, as well. Modern CDI systems don't differ by much at all!

Simple and damn reliable. I've had quite a few 120's and never had an electrical problem yet. Although the external voltage regulator for the generator is hell to wire without a diagram.

this is good to know if i ever have problems with mine.. i have an HH100 on my bolens. same engine just 2 less ponies. never let me down. did blow the windings in the starter gen though... i doubt i'll be of any help, but i'll stick around.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for that post Pro, I have read parts of that a few days ago.

WellThatsSuprising, Your pictures are right where I'm at now. Except I didn't remove the coil and such to that extent.

I don't believe it's adjustable, especially after seeing those pictures. I think I'm going to clean it up nice, and put it back together. There's not much else I can do.

Despite what yall say here, my dad is certain it's not a spark problem. I still think it could be ignition timing, but there doesn't seem that there is a way to adjust it.