Hi Bruce and everyone else,

I've not been on the forum for over 2 years but need some advice again.

I "revived" a Victa Sport Mk 2 at that time - with your help. I've never been able to identify or date this mower exactly - I think it was like your "store models" and possibly remamed for South Africa - but that's not important.

It is a 160cc with the LM carby which should be enough to go on for now (or not!!) Probably made in the 1980's sometime.

"revival" consisted of new rings (inc. honing etc.) but the main culprit was a VERY VERY dirty carby. Cleaned it - new "O" rings etc. but not a "carby kit" (difficult or expensive in South Africa to find parts.)

Once I got it running it ran perfectly (best darn mower I've ever had). I live in the country and have about 3 acres to mow (not all with this machine) but sometimes the grass gets a "bit" long :-). My underpowered 6 H.P.Briggs engined mower really battled with LONG grass but the Victa just took it in it's stride.

I used the mower for about 3 months and then it started to cut out after a few minutes. Symptoms were as for fuel starvation (or breaking down of the coil once warmed up).

I cleaned the carby, jet, pipes, tank, tap, fuel cap etc. and reassembled as per instructions in the manual (Hard copy - Gregory Pub 220 sent to me by an Aussie friend) but the problem persisted. Start the engine - run perfectly for a few minutes and the Bllleeeuuugh - dead. It would restart again immediately but with the same result. The mower ended up "on one side" awaiting attention.

Now, 2 years down the line, I've got back to it. So a few questions:

Today I "semi stripped" the carby (meaning I never removed the cable and the bits that happen after that). Findings are as follows:

i) The carb and main jet are clean
ii) The float, needle and seat are clean and appear to be working fine.
iii) The fuel tank is clean and fuel is flowing freely from the tank and fuel line.
iv) The "O" ring on the float chamber lid (primer cap lid) is suspect - it seems a bit "squashed" and distorted but examined under a very strong magnifier (a diamond loupe) I could not detect any leaking sections.

My problem is that it is Saturday afternoon here and I will only be able to buy a new "O" ring on Monday (at which time I will also buy a new one for the carb mounting).

My question is: "Could the O ring described above cause these problems or is it more indicative of a coil breaking down" ?

Thanks in advance for any answers.
Jerry