Engine ignition problem
 

RV7 with LYC IO360M1A. PROBLEM, it won?t start. I have fuel, air and a spark. Called an A&P and he said there was nothing on the engine to make the starting spark hot enough for starting it. He is only a certified type aircraft mechanic and not really up on our ways. He said an impulse coupler would run upwards of $2500 +.
Also lots more work. Plane is ready to fly except for the engine starting. W&B is done, fuel flow is done etc. the DAR is waiting to issue airworthy cert. what other system can I put on to make this work?
Thanks
Fred

First, get another mechanic. Your engine is a certified type. And a brand new mag is less than half his estimate for an impulse coupler.
Check easy stuff first. Are the correct cylinders hooked to the correct high tension leads? Is the ignition switch wired correctly? (check with an ohmmeter that left mag P lead is open, right P lead is shorted, with key on start).
Then harder stuff, like mag timing.

Tell us more about your systems and what you have done so far. ie

what type of ignition system?

ignition/start switches?

what type of fuel system?

what have you verified so far?

fuel pressure?

Spark timing?

compression?

I'm sure others smarter than I will chime in soon.

Bevan

..............................

1. Has this engine ever run (test cell, etc?). If so, has anything changed (ie mag removed and reinstalled, etc) since the run?
2. It would be helpful to know the model #'s of the mags. Your left mag is most likely either an impulse coupled mag or a retard breaker. If it's a retard breaker more than likely you have a weak spark and will need to add a starter vibrator like the SlickStart to augment it's starting ability. However, with a fresh battery, it still could start even without the vibrator.
3. Besides double checking that the ignition leads are connected to the correct cylinders amnd the switch is wired correctly, have you checked the timing?
4. Have you verified that fuel is actually flowing from your boost pump all the way to your injector nozzles?

yes
........................

is the spark there while the starter is cranking the engine? Disconnect P-Lead on left mag and crank it again.. Same for fuel flow... ensure you're getting all those (air, fuel, spark) while you're cranking.. that'd be a start.. (well, the start really would be to get a different mechanic)

The answer
 

Slick 4347 is a retard mag, not an impulse coupled (according to google!).
When you turn the prop by hand, as you go past peak compression do you hear a distinct "clunck" noise from the mag? I'm guessing not.

You need to buy a Slick start and wire it up.
Or replace the magvwith an impulse coupler model.

this is a trap a lot of people will be finding since they stopped supply the impulse mags.

What is more they do not supply the slick start as part of the bundle. Crazy hey!

Vans isn't even completely clear on this. As I recall when I ordered my YIO-540 from Vans the form had a line for a Slick Start, and said "Slick Start recommended". It should say, "engine won't start without this".