OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines Victa Power Torque Earth

G'day, I have inherited a Victa 2 stroke power torque which has sentimental value. Its a green base and I suspect its a circa 1980s model. Until now its been running a treat. It conked out on me after about 20 minutes of mowing last weekend. Whilst trying to restart him I managed to snap the chord. Subsequent to that I discovered the starter recoil assembly had buckled. So, I have replaced the starter chord & installed a new recoil. Whilst I was at it I thoroughly cleaned out in and around the engine. Problem is - it still won't start. I cannot get a spark from the spark plug !! I have tried a brand new plug. I have tried with and without the kill switch engaged. But still no spark. However, I have noticed I have a brown wire coming out from under the engine (up under the carby area) with aprox 3cm copper tip. This is floating around in no mans land. I cannot see where it was connected. I suspect I have dislodged whilst cleaning all the grass and junk in under and around the carby area. Any susgestions as to this mystery wire or any other thoughts out there ?? Cheers. Tacka.

The wire that has dislodged is one of the cut out wires they both fit into the side of the carby opposite the primer cover through a rubber boot. When the throttle is in the cutoff position, a cam inside the carby causes one of the wires in the rubber boot to deflect against the other and earth the coil. You should still be getting a spark if it is not earthing against anything.

Paul

Hi Tacka, Here is a pic of the wires in the rubber grommet.

The brown wire that you have floating, is the one entering the grommet from the left-hand side, closest to the carby body.
Hoping this helps.

Paul/Darryl,
Thank you for responding so promptly and concisely. I have found the grommet for the brown copper tipped wire.

Right - done this and inserted. [Censored] - still no spark !!

I have jiggled everythging around but to no avail. Frustrating.

I am getting good compression. Engine is making the right noise. In my humble opinion the victa has been cleaned right out. New spark plug. Tension wire seems faultless. I will review and start again. I'm determined to get this old boy sparking. Cheers.

The wires to the carburetor are for stopping the mower, not for running it. The magneto will work with those wires disconnected and flapping in the breeze.
I suggest you remove the spark plug, connect it to the HT wire, ground the metal body of the plug to the cylinder head, and pull the starter. If there is no spark across the plug gap, you either have poor earthing of the ignition module or a failed ignition module.

Hi, I had a mower, power-torque that failed to start because water and grease worked its way into the cut off switch area during a rainstorm driving home in an uncovered trailer; I also destroyed the fiber air-cleaner.

The rubber replacement parts are freely available; there are so many of these mowers around still. These are hard mowers to tune. It maybe worth removing the engine and coil pickup to check for rust between the coil and permanent magnet on the flywheel and sand the iron oxide material material away to give a higher current in the magneto system; then reset the gap with a business card; however if you have not dismantled this machine before, please check online for advice.

I prefer to earth the spark plug on the exhaust system, away from fuel source and on iron contacts; this is general advice for young players. There is a rubber boot that causes grease and water bound leaks into the cut-off switch when it is split or worn. You should also replace the small round rubber round piece that is lodged in the plastic body of the carburetor, which is a guide for the cut off switch. The spark from the plug should be blue; test in shade; if you are in a hurry you might make many mistakes in troubleshooting this 2 stroke machine.

If you remove the muffler you can check for problems: check for scoring on the piston/ring, cylinder assembly: dust, bad fuel/old fuel; poor lubrication; compression failure; and vacuum failure. You examine this through the exhaust port; the bore is often scored on this model, through piston and ring seizure; often from a too lean fuel mix and over-reving due to a vacuum leak.

Again this mower can be frustrating, a new ignition module is an expensive option, I would want to have a better idea of the condition of the engine before replacing the electronic module. You may be able to pick up a second hand machine in the trash with a good module. Good luck. Gomower.

Thanks Grumpy and Gomower.

This rainy weather has put my attempted repairs on hold.

I have disasembled most of the mower body and inspected ignition modules etc etc.. I'll go over the magnetos and check for rust etc.. Its slightly frustrating but in saying that its been a very interesting exercise. I'm enjoying learning alot more about the Victa 2 stroke engine and its components. I have delved into this a lot further than I ever imagined.

I agree with Gomower that if I am still nowhere nearer getting this started after going through the magnetos then i could get a cheap 2nd hand mower or a give away and pick through it for parts and pieces.

Cheers,