OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Tecumseh / Kirby Engines Kirby VK30 - Impulse Starter Problems & Filter

ive just acquired an early 60s corvette its has a Kirby vk 30 4 stroke engine the impulse starter it just spins it has no tension as you wind it any ideas also what type of air filter does this engine use are they available to replace

most common was a round foam type and still available too in store or shops . starter problem sounds like a broken spring , can you hold in the lever and it works ? or nothing happens at all

Hello IRB73 and vccomm

A Victa service guide covers this starter:
https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=58949

The filter will be the round one, as vccomm said.
The ODK Store has them HERE.

Hope this helps.
-------------------------
Jack

nothing happens it clicks as you wind it up but it doesn't tension if its the spring is it available can it be repaired

Hello IRB73

Sorry if the info I supplied was of no use to you.
I hope a member can help you.

Courtesy is everything!
------------------------------
Jack

did I miss something????

Hi mate,

If you need to replace the starter yell out - I have a replacement in serviceable condition. Also have 2 new filters (Bought 3 a while ago when I only needed 1 - pressed the wrong button when I ordered it). If you want the starter let me know and I'll chuck in a filter too.

PM me if you're interested.

Pete

Hello IHWS

That is amazing. Thank you on behalf of ODK.
It shows how members are keen to help out when they can.

Problem solved.
--------------------------
Jack

Dunno! If it's CyberJack's changing sig line, it wouldn't be intended personally...

To get back to our muttons, see if THIS PDF doco from the ODK Victa Manuals & Parts Lists section will download OK for you.

This covers both the early 'Sure Start' and later 'Trip Release' [TR] types of impulse starters.

If you have the TR type, there are two common faults that cause the 'freewheeling' you describe.
One is the main spring is broken; the other is that the 'release dog' is not engaging the teeth on the main spring drum. The latter is usually due to the dog return spring having broken.

Easy to check which it is; take the starter off, push the trip lever in, and spin the winding handle [clockwise] while you watch if the spring drum spins. It shouldn't. If it does, new dog assembly time. If it doesn't, and the handle still spins freely, it's a busted main spring.


In the later TR units, the release dog is a non-serviceable Zinc alloy cased assembly, not the discrete parts shown in that 'Old Starters' doco.

If your unit is cactus, I would be taking advantage of IHWS' very generous offer, if I were you.

There are still a few NOS dog assemblies about. Part Numbers to look for are: Victa ST12213; Kirby GED253; and in the US, Tecumseh 31419.

Main springs are another matter; they do come up on FleaBay but are getting exy.
The TR starter uses the double wound spring, which looks like this.


Edit: These springs are NLA as a new part [Victa discontinued them around 1990], but NOS ones occasionally pop up on EBay.
Part numbers, for reference [sellers often don't quote these], are Kirby GED270; Victa ST12233; Tecumseh 31413.

pm sent thank you pete