OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Victa Lawn Mower Frames Victa Commander 2003 model

Hello
My wife banned me from tinkering with the car (had to call RACQ every time) so now I'm relegated to the lawn mower. I need to replace its piston . I have dismantled the mower down to the block and flywheel and I can see the end of the rod and journal from the top but can't see how to remove the rod/piston. Do I need to remove the flywheel and work from the other side? That looks like a bitch to get off!

It's OK the flywheel came off with a few hammer blows. It looks like I need a new socket to undo the nut holding the conrod to the crank. I tried to measure it but I can't get a caliper in there and none of my existing sockets will fit....naturally @#%!!Does anyone know what size it is? I think it's 21mm?

sparker,

You need a special socket to undo the conrod from the crank shaft. I will upload a picture today of the socket that you need as it has two flat sides.

Thanks victa man I will keep an eye open for the picture. Otherwise I'll go back and use my favourite tool - the hammer!

Sparker,

I have uploaded the picture to the photo section. Hope this helps as I know that Bruce sells these.

Thanks for that. The tool in Mackay costs $75. Bit much for a "one off" job. I'll see if Bruce can help and I'll drop him an email. Thanks for your help.

Well, the local mower shop was kind enough to take it off for me and I exchanged the block with them for a reconditioned one. Now I can't seem to get the pull cord starter engaged properly. When the bolts attaching the starter are loose the pull starter operates OK but when they are tightened even Hercules could not pull it. I can't see anything fouling it. Is there some alignment between the pull starter and the conrod nut that has to be in a certain way? Does anybody know what it is?

Got it fixed but there is a clunking sound when I try to start the mower. It goes away if I remove the decompressor valve and then pull the starter cord, so I don't think it is a mechanical problem. I think it is the way the rings have been put in. The mower shop said to put the piston in with the ring joiners on the inlet side. Is this correct? Is this stuff available on the site here after a donation?

Sparker,

All that information is available under the parts list and manuals area.

I got it going. The only thing not working now is the "kill" switch. That is really awkward to get to with the length of the wires and the place there in.

sparker,

You have two wires that go into the carby, one on a 45 degree angle and the other goes in the centre. On the one that goes into the centre, you push it in and then check that when you pull the throttle cable to the stop position it moves towards the other wire on the 45 degree angle.

This will short out (when they contact)the current to the spark plug causing the mower to stop. You also have an adjustment near the throttle cable housing (air filter) as well.

A more detailed information is in the manual under parts list and manuals area.

Thanks again, Bruce. I'll have another go at it. There isn't a lot of room to work there and even when I take the carburretor off to make more room I have to be careful not to dislodge the cable from inside it.
Now that it's going I don't want to do anything that might make it angry and have it stop working again.

I did it. If anyone else has to do this you have to put the throttle on full and then insert the 90 degree wire and then the 45. Thanks for helping.