OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions on Other Engines Victa Sports 4 stroke not starting

Thanks all for the immediate response. I have some good news. As Grumpy suggested I tried grounding the plug lead and it did have a spark. Then I tried another spare spark plug and even it had a spark. So now I put back the original spark plug and damn even it had a spark. Not sure why it didnt spark earlier. I did not even clean the spark plug this time. This time I went a step forward and cleaned the the filter with vaccuum cleaner. Its definitely a tecumseh as seen on the filter cap. Put back the cleaned filter(though it seems a bit dirty still) and gave it a start. On priming for first time i could see some smoke coming out of the muffler. I was happy to see this since earlier there was no sign of it starting. I gave it couple of tries, priming and tilting 90 degrees (as stated on the mower) and viola it did start.
Not sure what could have been wrong. Any suggestions so that I could the same next time.
I stopped and tried starting again, though it did start it is taking couple of tries. Can this be improved? I am thinking of changing the dirty filter and blades since they seem to be worn out a bit. But not able to get the nut bolt ..just too tight. I am attaching some pics of the mower. Please let me know the basic step by step guide to service the mower.

Many thanks again. This is the best forum I have across.
Cheers