***spark***

[Marcumlx3]

Sportman 500, ---IT HAS SPARK---before the machine is running, where does the spark come from? The spark, used to fire the fuel in the cylinder. Does this spark have to be of a certain voltage? If so, what should it be? and how would you test it? If the spark is not strong enough, how would you make it stronger? Would timing be critical for this machine/or would the timing be likely to be off? I only ask this, because I would like to know, if the timing would be off, what would make it off. I do not see how the timing chain would jump. If so How would it be adjusted? I want to LEARN. I know the answers to some ot these questions, but it would be nice to get verification. a second thought, a fresh set of eyes.
Please answer all or just one. Tell me something I have not asked, anything that has to do with Spark, fuel, carb adjustment.

Thank you
marcumlx3@aol.com
mymerlind@gmail.com
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[tattoo]

Im getting the idea that your machine aint running right ?
These are loaded questions ,this could get very involved and confusing to a person who is not familiar with how engines work.
I will try to keep it simple as possible. please pardon my spelling.

Well here goes ,Im sure others will add on. And guys more familiar with small engines may be able to add more details.

The spark plug simply creates a gap for an electrical charge to jump.The electrical charge is looking for a place to ground. It finds the ground when it hits the tip of the spark plug. When the spark jumps the gap it ignites the air /fuel mixture in the cylinder. The plug should be gapped correctly for a good spark.
A bad spark plug can cause a poor spark. Plugs also come in different heat ranges,you can get a hotter spark by changing the range of your plug.

The spark comes from the ignition coil.-The coil is kinda like a transformer.It takes a low voltage d.c. input and converts it to a high output .Depending on the coil, it could be anywhere from 10,000 volts all the way up to 50,000 volts.
If you put your finger on the plug and crank the motor ,you will know if the coil works ......lol
The spark you see should be bright (visible in day light) and jump between the center electrode and tip of the plug .
It should also have a rhythm when cranking the motor (kinda like a stop watch clicking )
If it only fires once in a while during cranking ,then somethings wrong. Maybe a bad plug or wire.

Ignition "timing" is when the coil fires a charge to the plug. This can be controlled by a crank trigger or magneto. This tells the coil when to send the spark to the plug. If the timing is off it can cause a poor spark or inconsistent spark condition.
To boost the spark a stronger coil can be installed . Ignition timing can be improved by upgrading to a different ignition module or igniter.

This part is more involved and tough to keep simple... I would be easier to show you ,than to tell you.

The timing chain keeps the camshaft and crankshaft spinning together in the correct order or "time"
Your camshaft opens and closes your vales and the crankshaft moves your piston up and down in the cylinder.
they are syncronized to do this so that the engine can suck in fuel and air ,compress it, and burn it, then send it out to the exhaust pipe.Now your spark or ignition timing also is controlled by the spinning cam and crank shaft. The magneto or crank trigger gets a signal every time the crankshaft makes a full revolution .
If your timing chain jumped most likely the engine wouldnt run ,or not run very well. Most of the time the engine will pop through the carb or backfire. The spark would not be there at the correct time ,and the valves would not open and close at the correct time.

What exactly is your machine doing ? Cause my fingers hurt now and Im not ready to get into how a carb works.