OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Victa VC160 Mark 3

Hi I brought a second hand Victa VC160 Mark 3 lawnmower in the weekend, the previous owner had left it sitting under the house for 2 years. I have managed to get fuel lines to work and it appears that fuel is passing through the carby. However I cannot get the mower to spark. Thought that it could be the coil or condenser? Does anyone have any ideas?
Regards

VC Victa,

What I would do is:

1. Check the points and give them a clean with some emery paper or sand paper.

2. Check point gap, it should be 20thow.

3. Clean magnet in flywheel.

Do this stuff first and let me know what happens.

Thanks Bruce will do the checks this week and reply soon
Cheers

Hi Bruce,

I checked the points and gave everything a good clean, however the mower still does not appear to have a spark. Checked the magnet on the flywheel and cleaned it (it works a lot better now) but this did bot help either.

What should I try next?

Regards

VC Victa,

Can you check the wires that go to the condenser and points for ware ie flywheel rubbing the insulation off which will cause it to short out.

Check that the points have a gap of between 17 & 20 thow.

Also when checking for spark remove the cut out wire off the carby and make sure that it is not touching the frame.

Hi Bruce
I have checked the gap and points again also check wires for damage and they appear to
be fine (no rubbing present) but I still cannot get spark. I removed the cut
wire as well. The whole ignition system looks like knew there is no rust or dirt on
any parts, in fact it looks like it was either replaced or refurbished not that long
ago, which make me even more puzzled as to why it will not spark.
I have a few photos but do not know how to upload them to this site.
Any ideas on what I should try next?

VC Victa,

Can you try another new spark plug to make sure that it is not faulty. Also it could be the condenser that is faulty not causing the spark.

Can you post a picture of the coil and points on the ignition plate so I can make sure that you have the correct coil.

One other thing you can try is clean the plate where it screws onto the body as we as the body with some emery as it could be a bad earth as well.

Hi VC Victa. and a big warm welcome to the forum, it's great to have you onboard!
To enable Bruce to help with the diagnosis, you will need to post a pic or two. I prefer "Photobucket" which, if you google it, is a free download.
To help you use it, go to the topic here called 'Board Help Area', click 'How to use the Forum Features' sub-forum, scroll dow to bottom of the page, click page 2, and open Bruces' post "How to upload photos from Photobucket" and follow his instructions.
Looking forward to seeing the pics.

Thanks Bruce and Deejay I will upload some pics soon, hope they will be useful, I purchased a new Champion cj8 spark plug from the local mower shop in the weekend (same as the existing spark plug) the old spark plug was very dirty and looks like it is covered in carbon (I will take a pic of this tonight and upload it as well), still did not produce a spark.
Cheers

High guys please find below link to pics of ignition system and carby on the mower - Let me know if you require more pics.
For pics click below:






Cheers

VC Victa

That is one of the cleanest G3 carby's I have seen in a while. As for the ignition I do not like the look of the repaired section of the ignition lead, also is that a crack around the wire on the condensor?

Thanks Joe I spent sometime cleaning that G3 carby (it was black when I brought the mower). I will check the condensor line when I can, the ignition lead does look a bit dodgy - is it possible to get new ones cheap?
I'll let you know when I check the condensor what its like, I could not see any obvious cracks but will look again.

Cheers

This is the lead that you need which is here in the online store CLICK HERE

Hi Bruce

I have replaced the HT lead and condenser and the mower still does not have a spark, thought that it could be the points or coil as there is not really much else left that it could be. Do you have any further ideas to try?

cheers

VC Victa

VC Victa,

I would be replacing the points before the coil and then see if that gives you spark.

Also with the condenser wire make sure that it is folded towards the points locking screw in the plate.

Hi Bruce

I have been looking at purchasing a coil and points from you for my VC160 Mark 3 lawnmower, the prices seem good as coils cost $50 alone over here in New Zealand. The question I had was when I ask for an estimate of shipping costs it seems to say that the cost of shipping would be $47 this is more than the parts that I wanted to purchase. Is this the correct amount for sending to Wellington New Zealand?
Any help would be appreciated.

VC Victa,

If you look at the Australian Post website HERE you will be able to confirm the cost. Unless you can come up with a cheaper option we are stuck with them.

Hi Bruce

Replaced the points and the mower now runs great.

Thanks for help, appreciated.

Regards

VC Victa

VC Victa glad to see that I was right about changing the points before you wasted your money on a coil.