starting Problem!!

[isham-research.freeserve.co.uk at pop.pol.net.uk]

>> What kind of spark?  Just once and thin doesn't
>> count - it has to be
>> fat and on every revolution.

> I've seen this on everything from lawnmowers to big
> V8's.  Spark "looks" fine out of the combustion
> chamber, especially at night.  Later find out it's too
> weak to do anything to the fuel mix.  Any guesses to
> the cause?

Coil grounds and distributor health seem to have the most effect.

I have a 'spark cell'.  It's a little gas-filled tube with a plug
lead on one end and a standard plug connector on the other - you pull
#1 plug off, plug in the tube and fit the ignition lead to the other
end.

a) It's quite bright (orange) and MUCH easier to see from a distance
   than a naked plug spark.

b) The engine will run quite happily with it in place, so if you do
   get lucky while you're playing, you won't waste the start attempt.

c) The glow each spark makes is strongly proportional to its strength,
   so you can judge the health of the system quite well.

d) You can see 'parasitic' sparks - smaller flashes when the other
   cylinders are firing.  If they get too big, you know there's a
   distributor leakage problem.

Made by Gunson, I think.  It's part of my standard run-through on any
car I'm receiving into the workshop with the owner present.

--
 Phil Payne
 http://www.isham-research.freeserve.co.uk/quattro
 Phone +44 7785 302803   Fax: +44 7785 309674