Hi everyone
So I’ve been working on a Tecnico mower with a Villiers midget Mk3 engine.
I’ve decarbonised the top of the cylinder, piston crown and exhaust, replaced leaking base gasket and intake manifold gasket. Cleaned out and adjusted carburettor. Adjusted points and set timing (maybe a little crudely). New spark plug.
Issue: I find it very difficult to start from cold with the rope. often have to resort to starting with a drill.
Once it’s running, it runs really well (to my ears), happy to rev high, idle down very low. Easy to re-start when warm. Spark is really strong (ouch).
last time I wanted to mow with it I hurt my back from trying to start it! So I would really appreciate anyone’s input on how to make it start easier.
Some notes
- when cold it seems to prefer to start at WOT, rather than with choke (strangler) on. Possible air:fuel mixture issue?
- I know the spark plug is not quite right. 1/4” too short because it’s impossible to buy a 3/4” reach plug, but I don’t think this is the issue.
- Tried different oil mixtures 25:1, 20:1 (per manual), 16:1.
What what else might impact starting on these engines? Are they super sensitive to timing? Or is this just their character, being hard to start?
Thanks for reading my super long post!
