OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Parts & Help: Victa Mayfair 2

Hi folks.

Got a few Q's about this mower I've inherited.

It's a Victa "Mayfair 2". Not too sure of the age - has a geared starter and plastic (LM?) carburettor; plastic fuel tank, coil/points/capacitor ignition.

Wondering if I can still get parts for this?

Story so far: Mower worked once (after cleaning spark plug).
Wouldn't shut off (cut out wires loose/dirty? Throttle cable disconnected? Dunno...had very little (maybe none) throttle control.) I simply turned off the fuel [Censored] and waited.

At this point I figured the mower would be useable so I replaced the plug, and blades.

Then it wouldn't start.

Fuel is fresh.

Replaced the old plug thinking maybe the new one was faulty, & checked for spark - still none.

Figuring that the cut out might be causing a problem, pulled the carbie to pieces, cleaned and re-assembled. No parts replaced in the carbie (I think it's an LM carburettor, from the manuals)

Still no spark. Pulled one of the cut-out wires and held away from metal. No spark still.

Pulled flywheel off and checked the points - they look like new. Absolutley no pitting...wonder if someone's been here before?!?

What next? Capacitor? Coil? Is the coil available as a spare any more??

One other Q: When re-assembling the coil/E-core to the engine, what should the gap between the core and flywheel be set at? And any suggestions for how to do it (I thought of using a thin piece of cardboard.)

Any suggestions gratefully recieved!
Andrew

AndrewMcW,

Try replacing the condenser first as it is cheaper than the coil. You can still get parts for this model.

Also have you made sure that you don't have any dust on or around the points area.

Did you clean the points with emery paper?

As far as the air gap for the coil just use a normal business card.

Thanks Bruce.

I've progressed a little since yesterday.

Took the capacitor out and boogied on down to the local mower place. Very helpful chap there tested it and said it looked ok... Not ruling it out at this point but it's a good sign!

The points and capacitor are installed under a plastic cover on this mower and even though the outside of motor is disgusting, under the cover was very clean.

The Mower Guy said he'd seen problems with the actual HT lead on this type of magneto before, and suggested I check that the lead is ok, and to be on the safe side, try re-terminating it in the coil (which I did). Also checked the coil for continuity - looks ok.

Going to re-install the coil/e-core with the correct gap tonight. No, I didn't clean the points with emery paper - saw the note about not doing this in the manual (why not??) As I said before, the points look to be brand new...but I'll dress them anyway and see how it goes. If still no joy, I'll see if my local guy would be able to test the coil and go from there. As an aside: I saw a note in the manual that said the coil is unique to this ignition system and can be differentiated by the brown plastic cover. This is the coil I have - is the note still valid? Do I need to make sure the replacement is *also* brown?

I will not let this %^@!!! thing beat me. Meanwhile, the grass is turning into a pretty fair imitation of tropical jungle.

BTW: Had a laugh at the forum software. In my original post above there's a word [censored]!? I'd said "turned off the fuel cock and waited"...

Cheers and thanks again - Andrew

AndrewMcW,

Before you put the flywheel back on can you also clean the magnets with emery also clean the area that the 'E'plate sits on so you have a good earth.

Great news...

Dressed points, cleaned all contact surfaces, adjusted the E-core/magneto gap and adjusted the timing per the manual.

Now I have BIG FAT SPARKS.

Gotta get a couple of bits and pieces but provided I didn't mess anything up in the carbie clean-up, I should be mowing tomorrow.

Thanks heaps Bruce, for both your friendly advice and for providing this forum! I owe you a beer.

Just a follow up: screwed it all back together (with a handful of new parts) on Friday and it started on the third pull.

Total cost about $50, including my donation here. And now I know how a Victa two stroke works.

Again,      Bruce!

AndrewMcW,

Glad to be of some help.

It seems like you saved yourself at least $80-00 by doing it yourself great work.