Re: Newbie need help, 10 hp montgomery ward won't start.
Hello all and thanks in advance for any help that you can give me. I purchased a 10 hp Montgomery Ward motor that won't start. The guy I bought it from said it ran when he put it up 5 years ago. He had it kept in his garage. After taking the couling off the motor it looks relativly clean. I does have spark and the plugs look very clean. One other thing is that the decals on the tiller are faded. I think I have it in the right position when trying to start. Can anyone till me the correct position the handle needs to be in. The only thing it has done is backfired. Thanks alot for your help
No one can tell you anything without more data. Over the years MW has sold motors under their Sea King label made by many different manufacturers. The Model # identifies the actual maker of the motor as well as year model to those who are familiar with them or can do the research. Pics ALWAYS are helpful if not mandatory.
The oldest joke in the antique outboarding hobby is the phrase "It was running great when it was stored". Which might well range from last year back to 1917. But you can bet that unless the ENTIRE fuel system was drained completely prior to storage that a motor will need a complete fuel system cleaning----and I'm talking about from gas cap vent to reedplate.
Your description is typical of a fouled fuel system.
You said it has spark. Well there is spark and then there is sufficient spark. A good ignition system should jump a 3/8" open air gap with a blue-white spark. The acid test is will it do it under compression. Horror Freight has very inexpensive testers for checking spark under compression.
Even with good spark and fuel delivery the third necessity for ignition and good running is good compression. Compression gauges are available by internet, mail or across the counter at your local auto parts center.
'START' is normally at about 50-60 % of the full range of throttle adjustment. If not exact (if you'll pardon the pun) it's a good starting place anyway.
Provide the needed info and someone will try to help. Tom
