K-241 magneto engine, not so funny now

[groundhog47 347]

Earlier post aboutn this showed I gloated to much, didn't get to teach grandson much. Still no firing. Changed condenser for my condensor, points looked really good after got away spider web/nest. Two extra wires come off /from mag coil haven't figured what they are for as no kill switch or other switch is visible. Needless to so I am red faced and my grandson didn't get to smile afterall. Will not give up unless mso called giver takes it back.....still not working. Like saidbefore this is a welder, old rope start Lincoln. Still I can just taste the parts/ runner when it, if it does, gets junked. Instructed grandson make a $15 offer if so called giver wants it back.

Good Day, Gerry

[sorekiwi 761]

The only magneto Kohlers I have messed with have been K-181's, so I am not positive that they are the same as what you have there.

On the K-181's there is just one small wire coming out from the mag and goes to the points. The condenser attaches to the same place on the points, and is grounded through its body. Both of my engines had a little button on the points cover that you push to kill the spark - it holds the points open when pushed and held.

If you have another small wire coming from the mag, it is probably a seperate kill wire that will kill the spark when grounded.

The Kohler manual is available in the "Files" section of this site, I am sure it will have some detailed info on the magneto ignition you are dealing with.

[WH nut 553]

What kind of welder do you have. I can go look at mine and see if I can help.

[MarkPalmer 81]

Though the points look good did you clean their contacts good and reset them? I have found that 9 times out of 10 on these engines with magnetos they don't get spark because the points aren't making contact to ground.

-Mark-

[groundhog47 347]

The only magneto Kohlers I have messed with have been K-181's, so I am not positive that they are the same as what you have there.

On the K-181's there is just one small wire coming out from the mag and goes to the points. The condenser attaches to the same place on the points, and is grounded through its body. Both of my engines had a little button on the points cover that you push to kill the spark - it holds the points open when pushed and held.

If you have another small wire coming from the mag, it is probably a seperate kill wire that will kill the spark when grounded.

The Kohler manual is available in the "Files" section of this site, I am sure it will have some detailed info on the magneto ignition you are dealing with.

Thanks for reply and my thoughts ditto yours, set up is same. Haven't made fiurther progress yet as grandson has many irons in fire. Did review manual and saw mag pic with extra wires but no explanation, Plow straight, Gerry

[groundhog47 347]

Though the points look good did you clean their contacts good and reset them? I have found that 9 times out of 10 on these engines with magnetos they don't get spark because the points aren't making contact to ground.

-Mark-

Cleaned (only by fine emery cloth pull through, no chem cleaning) did not reset, will try that as soon as can find a vacancy in grandsons many projects, Thanks, Plow straight, Gerry

[outhouse keeper 0]

some times the push rod that opens the points get's worn and throws the timming off and wont spark

[krazy_horse 59]

Gerry, Clean the points with a point file or better yet use your wifes metal finger nail file! Main thing Dont let it beat you!!

[groundhog47 347]

Gerry, Clean the points with a point file or better yet use your wifes metal finger nail file! Main thing Dont let it beat you!!

As soon as grandson and I can catch each other again we gonna wip it, and will try that file, Gerry

[groundhog47 347]

some times the push rod that opens the points get's worn and throws the timming off and wont spark

Thanks,I noticed it pushed up and fell back, looked to function properly. Added to list for check on next get together with grandson, Gerry

[Fordiesel69 271]

Clean the backside of the points bracket where it touches the block, also the block surface. Some fine emery will work fine.

Clean the points until they are PERFECT. Then gap to 0.015 initially. If you get spark your condensor is worn, or the magnets of the flywheel is getting weaker.

[groundhog47 347]

What kind of welder do you have. I can go look at mine and see if I can help.

It's a portable Lincoln and good news is finally found what those wires do. Gerry

[groundhog47 347]

Though the points look good did you clean their contacts good and reset them? I have found that 9 times out of 10 on these engines with magnetos they don't get spark because the points aren't making contact to ground.

-Mark-

You may have been partially correct, I'll never know as did everthing could think of and appeared multi component, but I did take your advice

[groundhog47 347]

Well after three hours removal from welder/generator, an hour of sheat metal and parts removal, got flywheel removed. The extra two wires come from an "exciter" or light coil beside the main coil to induce a current (I s'pose) into the generator commutator ring and capacitor bank. The guy gave us the engine and grandson didn't want it, so I kept removing parts and took off the "exciter" coil, put back on fly wheel and pulled till blue faced. Finally I read where a shorted condenser will not allow a spark and an open will deliver a weak spark. Well, I completely removed the condenser and pulled away. A spark jumped the points, attached a plug to wire, pulled and got a spark!!!!!!

Now what's funny used the original condenser off my C that originally tried with no spark and it worked so all you that said the points were prob partially correct but the condenser was weak too. Glory be, poured some gas down spark hole, put in plug, (still no carb on), and pulled to see about 20 reveloutions with a flame shootin' out the mufflerless exhaust!! You'd think I was 18 on the first date!!!

Now I no longer have a parts engine but an engine tht needs parts, Ha> An Jim I didn't give up.......yet. Gerry

[groundhog47 347]

Well again thanks all >>>>>>>IT'S ALIVE, runs like a top on gravity feed remote tank> Was so excited, couldn't let grandson know, he's in school, couldn't get my son so let him hear it on answer/message, called my wife, she heard it runnin' but wasn't nearly as excited. It's on a straight pipe where old muffler was, reved it up and let off, beautiful pop, pop, pop. Idle is good but not good enough. Well, you know what the main problem was>>>>>>>CONDENSER. Then I didn't get flywheel properly (Maynard says....when will you have time to do it over), sheared the key, replaced (do over)(had alredy cleaned carb and reset points 15 times). When that flywheel key sheared it was bangin' like a loose rod, just about gave up and quote krazy_horse (Jim) "don't let it beat you!!" I didn't and kept on> Next gas tank and fuel pump (works but rusted inside), now I can think about a keyed crank also. Thanks all for the advice and support. Gerry