I am after assistance to fix my Late Model 2 Stroke Victa Lawn Mower.
To give you some information. I have replaced the Spark Plug. I have purchased a Victa Carby Kit and replaced the Diaphragm , Cutoff boot and O rings. I am still using the original Needle and springs.
The Poppet valve, is an A, 3, C type Poppet Valve and it is set to C. Without a Rev Meter, I am thinking it is revving at about 3000rpm, but I could be wrong.
When cold, I set the throttle just past the Cold start spot and pressing the primer bulb about 6 times it will usually start within 2 pulls and keep running until turned off.
Whilst running, it seems okay, it may bog under heavy load, but it will regain speed once I back off.
My Problem
If I restart the lawn mower within a minute of it being turned off , it will usually restart.
But if I leave it off for 5 minutes , it will not restart. And I have to try priming it and pulling the pull cord so many times for it to restart and sometimes I succeed and sometimes I do not succeed and need to go to a backup lawn mower to finish the lawn.
After an hour or so, it may or may not start. But if I try it the next day it will restart.
Does anyone, advise what I can do to fix it. I quite enjoy the 2 Stroke mower and feel something minor is amiss causing these issues.
I don't want to just throw money on stuff hoping to fix the issue, but if advice is this is the cause and more than likely fix the issue I am happy to proceed and advise all, with a follow up post.
Hi Harry, I'm not sure if the way I modify these carbys helps with this problem but I haven't had people tell me they are having this problem. 2 strokes have always had this sort of problem, it was really bad with the early Victas, not so much with the Powertorques
Usually with this type of problem I would do a service starting with checking the compression with a compression tester.
Sounds like the carby is sorted but it may have a plastic float needle that is sticking ,I would buy the metal needle with the float clip.
I've had starting problems when the 3 starter bolts come loose so every motor I work on I always check the bolts are tight and always tighten the screws that hold the intake manifold to the engine as they can come loose with age.
Just to rule out any decompressor issues I would remove it and screw an old spark plug in , a short plug will do, the same plug the engine takes.
Using the plug to block the decompressor hole will allow you to now feel the compression when starting and when the motor gets hot you should be able to tell from the starter if the compression is much less when hot than when cold.(This way you don't need a Comp tester)
If the above fixes the problem then put the decompressor back in and if the problem comes back you know the decompressor needs replacing.
I'd also take the fuel hose off the carby and turn the fuel on to check the fuel flow rate from the fuel tap as I often need to clean the fuel filter to get a better flow rate.
I usually find with the metal needles the motor requires less priming to start.
If you already have the metal needle just use that and see how it goes.
Yes once you replace the decompressor with a plug if the compression is down you will know the rings / cylinder are worn.
If the top of the plug is in the way of the top plastic engine cover when you block the decompressor hole I would just break the top porcelain part of the plug off.
Another test is to start the mower and turn the engine off by turning the fuel tap off and just before the engine stops if it runs a lot quicker you have an air leak.
(If the engine accelerates or runs more quickly just before it stops, it could indicate that there is an air leak somewhere)
This has probably been covered here but I have a bad migraine and struggling to even read. I recently had a very similar problem with a Victa Utility 2 stroke I was recently given though it would start hot it just wouldn't rev. It turns out the plastic carburettor cover was turned away from the level mark meaning once it warmed up the float wasn't allowing enough fuel in to rev. I had no idea of the level mark on the white carburettor cover because my primary mower is a much older hand wind start (so much easier than pulling the cord (but I'm having trouble after replacing the spring on it the other day, (I'll get to it but not today) Victa Mayfair with the metal carby which is so simple. Though friends own a local mower shop and were quick to point out the problem from a photograph I took and they really are a simple carburettor until you lose the needle in 4 inches of grass. New needle, new white cover with new primer and new o'ring are sitting in my kitchen (don't ask, I won't lose it in there). I was shocked though when the owner explained how to set the float height by adjusting the brass insert where the needle goes, he'd given me another cover with good primer bulb but it was a cheap after market unit he found in his stock (and gave it to me free saying it was used but in good condition) but somehow I cracked the fuel plastic nipple inlet slipping the fuel line back on. His son gave me another new unit better quality yesterday and set the float level with a file on the plastic needle, they've changed.
When did brass needles disappear? Yes, I'm feeling old!
