On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 05:54:36 -0700 (PDT), Manjo
wrote:

I did a similar spark plug test a few days ago. I left the spark plug
in the engine port and put another spark plug in the cap and held it
to the top of the first and I was able to start the engine.

If you pull the plug out and test, there is now no compression. Pull
the rope and cycle through several power strokes and you can get a
better exam of the spark.