Hi all,

This one has me scratching my head a bit.

I've got an unserviceable Victa Vantage PT mower. If the serial number is anything to go by, it is a 1999 model. I got it as it refused to start, but apart from a little rust, was actually in decent condition. Fun project to learn on. Fuel was rotten, that was dumped and the tank flushed. De-compressor was stuffed, that's been replaced. Dicky ignition cutout wires all been fixed and it starts first pull! No smoke, nothing.

Except it won't continue to run. Starts and idles fine, accelerates fine but then seems to want to over rev. Then I lose throttle control about half way to full power and it stops with what I'm guessing is a lean mix cut. I did have this problem when I first got it (after I fixed the ignition wires, but before any other work) only difference is that it was a right [Censored] to start and didn't really like running. No idea how long it had been sitting for, but like i said above, the fuel was totally gone. It now starts easily and runs well with very little throttle - i.e. Start position.

A second start attempt has it trying to over rev pretty quickly on start up and it only runs for maybe five seconds.

Fuel vent unblocked. In fact, I've swapped to a different tank to eliminate that possibility. Carby cleaned, seals and faceplate replaced. New head gasket. New starter housing seal, new intake manifold seals. Air filter is in decent condition. No holes I can see in intake tubing. Everything torqued to spec from manuals. Before I replaced the starter housing seal, I was getting 50 psi compression - up from 10 psi when I got it! Piston seems ok through the intake and exhaust ports, but I haven't had it out yet.

What else could I be missing? If I'm right, the bottom bearing also creates a crankcase seal. I can't see any traces of oil or blow-by under the mower, or do you need the engine off the chassis in order to see this?

The little plate/gasket that sits between the chassis and engine is a bit corroded and has a few small holes.

Thoughts appreciated. Apart from some plonker putting the handle bolts in the wrong way where it attaches to the chassis (going to need to cut them out I think, as they're rusted to %!@$) it really is in decent nick.

I don't collect mowers. I just require Multiple Mowing Solutions™.