What does the spark advance lever do?

[river_bouy]

Hi,
I have an '84 suzuki dt50.

I was working on the engine and removed the throttle linkage and put it back together. However, having done this, the engine would no longer start.The engine sounded like it was about to kick-over.

Got a mechanic to help and was watching what we did but he was too quick. I think the problem was that there was no contact between spark advance lever and the throttle control lever (I think this caused no spark). What is the purpose of the spark advance lever and how does it work?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JB]

Re: What does the spark advance lever do?

That lever changes the spark timing by rotating the stator as the throttle is advanced. Two strokes are quite sensitive to spark timing. The usual "program" is retarded spark for start, advanced for WOT and between for between, but exact settings differ from engine to engine.

Your Service Manual explains exactly how to set it up, usually as part of the classic "Linkage and Synchronization" adjustments.

Sounds like you changed the setting when you fiddled with the throttle linkage. Wise wrenches never work on an outboard without a Service Manual or a lot of experience with that engine.