lawn mower not starting?

my mountfield empress 16 lawn mower is not starting, not sure if spark plug is sparking how do I check this?
There seems to be a coil which charges to send the spark is this correct if so is there a set distance between the rotating part & the coil?
Fitz, May 2006


done
TAKE THE PLUG OUT AND WITH THE LEAD ON IT HOLD THE BASE OF THE PLUG TO GRD. AND HAVE SOMEONE PULL THE ROPE. DON'T TOUCH THE COIL GAP. BUT IF YOU HAVE TAKE A FOUR SHEETS OF NEW PAPER AND PUT THEM BETWEEN THE COIL AND FLYWHEEL AND TIGHTEN IT THERE. IF YOU GET SPARK THEN DUMP THE GAS IT MAY HAVE WATER IN IT IF YOU HAVE A SETMEN BOWL REMOVE IT AND LOOK FOR A SMALL HOLE IN THE SCREW THAT HOLDS THE BOWL ON. CLEAN WITH A STRAIGHT PIN.OR SEWING NEEDLE. SPRAY STARTER FLUID OR WD40 IN INTAKE WITH THE FILTER OFF. GOOD LUCK

LONNIE BABB, May 2006
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