OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Victa 160 won't fire up

I have a 2nd hand Victa powertorque (red chassis with plastic carby) which won't fire up. It tries, but won't start running.
There is spark and fuel getting in (as the spark plug is covered in fuel when I take it out).
It tries to start, but never makes that transition to running itself.
My Father in law reckons it might be the valve in theside of the head that should close as the engine starts up. I took this out and cleaned it. It seems to move in and out although a little slowly - but I'm not sure how freely it should be moving. Compression seems ok, as gas flushes from the small holes in the valve as I crank the engine.
It also has a new head gasket.
Any ideas? is there anything I can do to the valve to make it move more freely?
Any help or ideas greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Adrian.

Adrian,
I need you to chek a couple of things:

1. How old is the fuel that you are using (from when you bought it from the petrol station)?

2. Do you have a yellow or blue spark at the plug(put the plug against the frame to check)?

3. Is the carby leaking?

4. Does the starter rope pull back on you when you try to start it?

5. Remove the muffler and check the cylinder for scoring on the piston.

Answer these questions and I will try to help.

Regards,

Bruce

Thanks Bruce - I'll have a look and let u know - may not be 'till Sat. - busy schedule you know!

Cheers, Adrian

Hi Bruce,

I have got the info you asked for:
1. The fuel is about 6mths old
2. The spark is blue
3. the carby appears to be leaking
4. the starter rope just goes back as normal - it doesn't pull back while i'm trying to start it
5. Ran out of time to remove muffler. Do I have to remove the engine to do this? it looks as though i do.

Hope this will give you a lead!
Regards,
Adrian.

adrianweller,

The first thing that I want you to do is throw out the fuel because if it is unleaded you can only store it for two months.

I will send you information on the carby so that you can fix the leak.

To start the mower after you remove all the old fuel and fix the carby you need to remove the spark plug and pull the starter cord about twelve time so that you clear the cylinder. Make sure that the fuel it turned off when doing this.
Place a small amount of FRESH fuel in the spark plug hole and replace the plug. If all goes well it should start and then turn the fuel tap back on.


Regards,

Bruce

sorry about the off topic, but im a member now...take a look at my post,
cheers