Need a bit of help with this one. Back in August I picked up a Victa Tornado, from the curbside. Looked as though someone had attempted to fix it by glueing the primer cap on with an epoxy resin. It didn't help that they had it turned 90 degrees from where it should have been. I pulled it off and the o ring was perished so I stuck it back on with a bit of gasket goo. (Yes I know that it is not fuel proof) just to see if it would go. Started first pull. So I ordered a primer cap and o ring. I probably used the mower 4 times before the gasket goo washed out and it started first pull every time, by that time I had received the new parts at least a month or so earlier so put them in, started first time and mowed the lawn. So pleased with it I put my Morrison on gumtree for $50.00 and got rid of it. Turns out the Morrison may have been a lucky charm. Could be I have always missed my old Victa that I saved from the rubbish tip in 1981. Next time when I turned the fuel on it just ran out of the carby, took the primer cap off cleaned everything and turned the needle valve upside down to what I thought it should be, put it back together started first pull and mowed the lawn. Next time wouldn't start took the primer cap off cleaned everything and no matter which way I put the needle valve back in I could not get it to stop leaking. I used the old needle valve that was originally in it, started first pull and mowed the lawn Next time it wouldn't start appeared to be a little grit in the main jet and I thought I have found the problem, took the fuel tank off cleaned it out flushed all the lines cleaned everything again reassembled started first pull and mowed the lawn. Next time wouldn't start, it does not seem to matter what I do. I think the primer cap and float valve are working correctly as there seems to be about the right amount of fuel in it when I take it apart I have poked a thin wire through the thread where the main jet goes no restrictions there, If I put fuel in either the spark plug hole or the intake hose it runs for a few seconds until it exhausts the fuel. The diaphragm does not appear to be in bad condition but I wouldn't know, its very soft but not kinked or creased. It was reluctant to detach from the popet valve so I thought I would leave it at that. Before I order a new diaphragm and popet valve I thought I would consult with a higher authority as to what else I should try or buy. Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted. Not urgent as we have this wonderful resource (now called verge valet) and I picked up an unidentified mower (missing the starter assembly I have seen one of these before with the same problem) that seems to run perfectly once you start it with a drill and a 3/4" socket.
If I can get a large enough hammer it will run for awhile just trying to get away from me
