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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Age
    56
    Posts
    5

    Unhappy Victa mower won't start

    Hi all. New member from the UK so please be gentle. I've got a Victa Mulchmaster 550 2 stroke mower. Fantastic machine. However it currently won't start. Spark was weak so changed spark plug, still weak so put a new coil on (luckily I have a spares machine). now strong spark. Stripped down the carb, seems fine and plug getting wet. Checked exhaust, fine. Cylinder head gasket fine. Changed rubber o ring underneath the starter recoil. Even changed the fuel, getting desperate. Any ideas would be very much appreciated. Stu.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    613

    Default

    Hi Stu

    Welcome to the forums!

    Silly questions - checked for a kink in the fuel line? I've seen a tiny crease stop so many Victa's it's not funny. Not worked one of this model but the older ones a lot, so anything I get wrong I'm sorry for!

    I've seen the lead from the choke to the motor break so it never got in the right place to start, I've seen someone leave the fuel valve open for a week and flood it so much it took 30 pulls with the valve closed to clear it out and then you could re-prime and start it, I've seen the pull cord looking like it's working but not turning the inside mechanism. All worthwhile checking but it sounds like you may have gone over the engine well so may have already done so.

    I've also seen someone put raw petrol into one of these, no oil mixed in because they though it was a 4 stroke like they were used too, and I've seen people with issues due to certain places ethanol, but you've already swapped the fuel so thats out.

    Nothing jamming the blades underneath to stop it turning and kicking over?

    Cheers
    Andrew
    ---

    Visit my blog The Woodwork Geek to see what I've been up to or follow my ramblings on Twitter

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Dundowran Beach
    Age
    76
    Posts
    19,922

    Thumbs up

    Get a can of "Start Ya Bastard" Never found a recalcitrant motor that it won't get going!

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Peakhurst
    Age
    67
    Posts
    1,173

    Default

    Hi and welcome Stu.

    What Atrme said or a can of areostart. Same stuff should be the same result. Definitley gets my old Victa runnning.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Age
    56
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Thanks Andrew and Artme. Will check for kinks in the pipe but I think petrols getting through as the plugs getting wet. Starter and engine spinning as normal just not starting.
    Will also get a can of starter spray. Only in Australia would you get a product called "start ya bastard". My wife and I are still laughing. Cheers for advice. Keep it coming. Stu

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Age
    56
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Cheers bleeder. Gonna get some tomorrow and give it a try. Cheers Stu.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Glen Innes NSW
    Age
    80
    Posts
    623

    Default Stale fuel

    Stu

    Stale fuel will give the symptons you describe.

    Regards Mike

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Age
    56
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Hi mike. The very last thing I tried today was to change the fuel. Still wouldn't go. Thanks anyway. Stu

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Tooradin,Victoria,Australia
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    Posts
    11,918

    Default

    Have you checked that there is no air leak in the crankcase?

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Sanstone Point
    Posts
    296

    Default

    Also have you tried putting fuel straight into the bore, through spark plug hole? If it fires up you know spark is good!

    There may also be a filter in the fuel tank, over the fuel out let hole.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Age
    56
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Thanks for replying foo and . Checked cylinder head gasket and rubber o ring under starter pulley which are ok. How do I check for an air leak in the crank casing? And how much fuel should I pour into the spark plug hole? Cheers Stu

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Tallahassee FL USA
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    82
    Posts
    4,650

    Default

    Check for crud in the fuel line too. I had a different brand that presented similar symptoms. It turned out the manufacturer used a wrong type of rubber that shed bits of itself. New fuel line (of proper material) cured it.

    Cheers,
    Joe
    Of course truth is stranger than fiction.
    Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain

  14. #13
    Join Date
    May 1999
    Location
    Tooradin,Victoria,Australia
    Age
    73
    Posts
    11,918

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by StuMetz View Post
    Thanks for replying foo and . Checked cylinder head gasket and rubber o ring under starter pulley which are ok. How do I check for an air leak in the crank casing? And how much fuel should I pour into the spark plug hole? Cheers Stu
    First signs are generally an oil weep or damp patch around the joints. The seal around the shaft can also wear and let air in.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    12,881

    Default

    Get a big hammer & give it a flogging, that'll make it start.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    in the outer reaches of Sth Oz
    Age
    75
    Posts
    1,604

    Default

    what Artme said start you bastard works every time. If it still won't start buy a new one and have a victa burning party for the old one
    pete
    What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
    Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

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