So, I’m getting very close to hurling my poor 18 into the recycling. Please take it as read that I am a total novice. I can undo a bolt, I’ve learnt how to rebuild a carb. That’s it. So I’m really going to push the limits of what a forum can do and ask for help before I end up wearing a self hugging coat.
1) height adjuster. I stripped down the height adjuster gearboxes as they were totally seized. They now move freely. I also stripped and cleaned the carb side axle supports. The height adjuster won’t stay up now (gets lower as you mow) and I think I am missing a spring/gap filler etc for the rod that runs between the front and rear height adjustment gears, as the rod is loose and falls out, of one of the gears.
I also discovered there is supposed to be a spring in the top of the axle supports on the carb size.
Please, what size springs do I need for the axle supports and the gear shaft? Do I need to put grease inside the gear boxes?
2) Handle
The handle won’t stay up. When I disassembled for a look something like a piece of lead or such fell out from between the handles. I gathered it was supposed to take the pressure from the upper handle and lock it in place.
What do I replace this with?
3) fuel tickler jams open. I have stripped down he cleaned the carb a well as I can, but no matter what I do, once fuel starts to come out of the small hole under the tickler it keeps coming out till I bang the cab with a screwdriver etc.
How do I fix this?
4) the big question. How do I remove the engine from the base? I know this is probably a really stupid question. But I don’t have any mechanical experience and don’t have any mates etc who can explain or offer help. And I don’t want to break anything as this is a hobby and I am doing it on a zero dollar budget as I’m on a disability pension.
Thanks for putting up with a stupid newbie and any help you can offer.
Hi Scott, A couple of deep breaths and all will be fine with your Victa. Does the tickler jamb down or is it the needle is not seating? Can't remember if there was a spring in the adjuster but from memory I just added a small piece of steel in one end and that fixed the rod dropping out problem. I think I probably had to remove the bolts in both end, put the rod in and then put the bolts back in. Haven't heard of the adjuster winding down during use, not sure what an easy fix for that would be without looking at it. No easy fix for the handle not staying up, it was an issue from day one with them. My best suggestion is a strip of then rubber sheet and clamp it between the clamps. Don't be over aggressive with the bolts once the rubber is in there because it may beak the clamps. They were a problem from day one. Removing the engine from the base is easy if you have the right tools but you have to remove the blade carrier then you can see the 4 nuts holding the motor on. Remove these and the motor will lift off.
So first, the little push button for the tickler moves up and down freely, but once fuel starts to come out it continues to flow even after releasing the button, until I either tap the bottom with something or tickle it madly.
There doesn’t seem to be any tension on the height winder. I had removed all the wheels, adjustment mechanism as it was totally seized up. I also gently cleaned out and re gapped the top cover for the front height gearbox so it could have a chance to clamp down. I’m thinking perhaps there should be some sort of bush etc where the winder handle goes into the gearbox cover to tighten down on?
I was going to try either rubber or even some thick cotton sheet in the handles, a bit of old tee shirt never hurt anything I suppose. The material that fell out reminded me of lead sheeting.
I wasn’t sure about the 4 nuts on the base. The blade carrier is easy enough to get off so I will give that a try.
Do you happen to know the spring size for the springs in the carb side axle covers, that push the U brackets down?
Many thanks for all the advice. Merry Christmas mate.
Remove fuel bowl on carby and have a look as it sounds like the needle is sticking in the open position, look at the attached image and adjust the float by tweaking the float lever until you have the correct float level of 3/16" as per the diagram. The dimension of the spring for height adjuster rod that goes from front to rear housing is around about 20L x 12D with a spring thickness of 1mm, this spring goes to the rear end of the rod. The two springs for the axle support saddles are 10L x 11D spring thickness 1.5mm. Yes, grease up the worm drives on the height adjusters. Hope this helps.
Cheers, Steve.
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Good.
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Mate thankyou !! That diagram is exactly what I needed. Ive never found it with all the associated label notes etc. greatly appreciated. Have a great Christmas
No problem at all, that's what it's all about, helping one another out. I've had my fair share of help over the years also, have a great Christmas yourself. Cheers.
You have enemies?
Good.
That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
