OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Victa Mower, something to learn on

Hey Guys,

Well, I am newly registered, and have been doing a bit of reading, but I can't help but want to jump in, so I apologise for what is likely to be some dump questions .

I have been wanting to have a better understanding of the components of my mower, so I can diagnose and repair issues in the future (it is starting to get on with age, but has not let me down yet, it's a Victa, and I always prefer repair over replace), but the wife has forbidden me from pulling apart our current push mower , so I managed to find this Victa out on the street, looking for a home.

Today, not thinking about posting pictures, I got stuck in, but these are a few photos as it sits now (it does have the covers etc, I have already removed them, if someone needs help visualising the model, I can mock fit everything again and take a photo), if someone can identify the model, it would be nice to know, should I need model specific parts (if anyone knows off hand).








The first issue was the pull start, a different design to what I am used to seeing, but after pulling it apart, I found the return spring hook had straightened out and was not catching. After rectifying this, I now had a functioning pull start (I will be replacing the cord, but that can wait till later, much bigger problems to be sorted).





Next I removed the spark plug and confirmed I had spark. I then added some fuel and put the spark plug back in. It fired, I had the carby fuel line disconnected so it obviously only ran for a very short period.

I then took the covers off to have a better look. The first thing I noticed was the decompression valve has been removed, and an old spark plug put in it's place (as I understand it from reading, this is not an unusual temporary fix, as this just means you have a harder time pulling on startup), but does this put extra strain on the pull start mechanism, and could it be the cause for the spring failing?



Now I have not tested the carby yet, but I wanted to at least give it a good clean first, and then I noticed this with the air hoses.



This is where I decided I needed some advice (note the air hose that has been looped on the carby). So as I understand it, the bottom connection (as in the photo), should go to the decompression valve, or be blocked off, if the decompression valve is removed. The top connection (above the diaphragm), should have a hose going from it to this point on this cover:





Am I correct on where they should go? Is there any reason why someone would connect the air hose as it currently is on the carby? If I am going to be testing the carby, should I be reconnecting the top hose to the cover and blocking off the bottom connection that should go to the decompression valve? From what I have read so far, my understanding is that if the connection is not made between the carby (above the diaphragm), and the cover, then there will not be sufficient vacuum above the diaphragm and the mower will rev high, is that correct?

As I said initially I may have some really dumb questions, so I apologise if they were. My theory is best to ask, rather than just stumble in, after all this is predominantly about me trying to learn a bit.

I will ask one more question, mainly as council collection is coming up. How interchangeable are parts between other models and this one. I am unsure about the decompression valve, I don't think the one on my other victa would fit (I don't think it has enough reach), am I going to struggle to find one that fits? Apart from a learning experience, is this mower a viable candidate for restoring to running condition (from what I have shown so far), and was it a good model (power, reliability, etc), or is it better I just play around, and then ultimately use it as a parts machine?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide,

Cameron