Reciprocating Engine Ignition Systems Flashcards
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What does the term 'magneto timing' refer to in the context of reciprocating engine maintenance?
Answer: The relationship between when the breaker points open and piston position
Magneto timing establishes the crankshaft position (in degrees before TDC) at which the points open and the spark fires, directly affecting engine power and efficiency.
Spark plug reach is defined as:
Answer: The length of the threaded portion that protrudes into the combustion chamber
Spark plug reach is the length of the threaded section; incorrect reach can cause the plug to sit too deep or protrude too far into the cylinder.
A high-tension ignition harness that shows carbon tracking would most likely cause:
Answer: Intermittent misfiring or cross-firing between cylinders
Carbon tracks provide a low-resistance path for high-voltage current to leak to ground or to adjacent leads, causing misfires or firing the wrong cylinder.
When checking breaker point condition on a magneto, points that appear blue or burned indicate:
Answer: A faulty condenser allowing arcing across the points
A defective condenser fails to absorb the collapsing magnetic field energy, causing arcing at the breaker points that burns and erodes them.
The distributor in a high-tension magneto system serves to:
Answer: Route the high-voltage output to each spark plug in firing order
The distributor receives high-voltage pulses from the secondary coil and directs each pulse to the correct spark plug at the proper time in the firing sequence.
Which of the following best describes a 'shower of sparks' ignition system?
Answer: An induction vibrator that produces a rapid series of sparks for starting
The shower-of-sparks system uses an induction vibrator to produce a rapid succession of sparks across the gap, making it easier to ignite the mixture during starting.
What is the correct procedure if an engine continues to run after the ignition switch is turned to OFF?
Answer: Immediately shut off the fuel and continue troubleshooting on the ground
A 'hot magneto' condition (broken or disconnected P-lead) means the magneto is not grounded; cutting fuel starves the engine safely while the fault is investigated on the ground.