Hey Max ... Thx so much for taking the time to respond ... greatly appreciated. Your comments re the filter housing are likely to be very relevant ... "all the Victa 2 stroke motors have a restriction on the filter housing" ... the air filter housing has been broken ever since I acquired it and I fashioned a cover sleeve for it by cutting the conical top off a 350ml plastic soft drink bottle and sliding it down over the original. Also I have just identified that the filter element has a hole in it. I'll check out the whole air intake plumbing ... as well as your other suggestions - and see what transpires. Many thanks.
