Water Pump - WTF? Argh...Not running

[Canada_CT230]

I have a Honda 1.5" water pump. I've been pumping water for the last few weeks. It finally dried up and haven't used it in over a week. Got rain/snow on the weekend and the puddles are back and need to be pumped again.

Dam thing won't start. Get the occasional sputter.

1) Emptied/cleaned gas tank.
2) Gas flows to carb.
3) Spark plug cleaned, gapped and produces spark.
4) Took carb apart and float works, no debris, clean!
5) Fresh gas.

WTF? What else could it be? I've got blisters from pulling the cord so much.

 

[Avondale]

Tough one. IF spark is good, I'd look at gas issues. Suggest a small spray of a fluid type combustible (quickstart) into carb from air filter body or possible lightly dampened rag with gas in air box chamber but not blocking opening. If it "tries to start", (coughs, etc) it would indicate your carb is not functioning correctly. If no indication of a start, would suggest a timing issue, (spark occurs before/after fuel charge in cyl).

On my GX engine, refusal to start was due to on/off switch in off position, but as you have spark....

 

[Canada_CT230]

I just can't figure out why it shutdown a week ago running just fine and this week its a boat anchor.

Maybe I'll start by get a NEW sparkplug.

It is not the fuel or fuel delivery. It is not the on-off switch as it is functioning.

 

[Canada_CT230]

Took the carb apart again. Clean as a whistle...still no luck. Got wife to pick up new spark plug from in town, installed and VARRROOOM! Fired right up. Weird, because the plug was making lots of spark when I pulled it and watched it while pulling the cord with low-moderate force. It must have had some kind of bad resistence or something. Anyway...fixed and water is draining.