OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines Start cord pulls back violently On victa 2 strokr

Hi to everyone,,, I have a 1997 victa mulch and go 160cc powetorque 2 stroke and I've just fitted a new coil and needle and o rings to my carb,,,, when i pull back on the start cord it comes pretty hard and has on a couple of occasions pulled itself back in so hard that out really hurt my hamd as it flung itself back toward the mower where is the problem,,,, is out the decompressor valve,,, I've pulled out out and it seems to work,,,I suck in and it retracted,,, when I blew air in it stayed open,,,,, how does this valve work,,, one house to carb and the house on the other side of the carb, how does this function during start up,,,,, maybe this isn't even the fault,,, has any one else had the chord snap back problem on start up,,,cheers

Sounds almost like the timing is out and it is firing too early and kicking back. Are you sure the new coil is correct and fitted properly?

Hi mate,

Victa 2 strokes need the blade plate attached to start and run. Sounds like when you took the engine off you haven't put the blade plate back on OR (Much less likely) the crank shaft is bent. If the plate IS on then make sure the boss and the plate are lined up correctly AND is tight.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks,
Pete

Many times on 4 cycles here where the decompression system failed or the flywheel key is sheared. Here in the US we don't have 2 cycle walk behinds. I would like to get to look over one these setups IPLs so I would what is involved.

I also agree with ihatewetsocks that if it is design to run with a blade and is using a lightweight flywheel severe kickback can occur when not installed. I have had some kickback so hard I had sprung fingers. Hurts like heck too for several weeks.

You mentioned you recently replaced the needle. I have had a couple of these flood badly and the cord snaps back because to much fuel is in the cylinder. So in short check the mower is not flooded by turning the fuel off, opening the throttle and lastly removing the spark plug and pulling the rope 10 or so times.

Remember the needles need to match the primer cap. The aftermarket caps work better with the shorter needles. The genuine caps which I always use work better with the slightly longer needles.

In my experience when the decompressor's go faulty the engine wont start or its usually very difficult to start them because the decompressor doesnt seal.

All of the other suggestions above a more likely but I thought I'd add one more.

Big Ted might have some other suggestions - just wait for him to confirm as well.

A big thankyou to all who replied, especially to Pete who had the solution spot on. I attached the blade plate back on, second pull of the cord and she fired up after many years,,,,I love two stroke mowers! I wasnt aware that not having the plate attached would make so much difference! Does anybody sell Victa stickers to make this a resto mower ? I would like to wish all a Merry Christmas