OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines Victa 'Contessa' Mark II 70 won't start

I've been trying to fix this Victa mower. It's a 'Contessa', made exclusively for Retravision at some point. For about two years it's been sitting outside by a shed, but there does not seem to be any weather damage. It turns over fine. There is a spark. It is pumping fuel. The kill switch is making proper contact at the right time. It is sucking in air from the snorkel properly. I've checked for hornet blockages and have found none. It turns over smoothly. However there seems to be a petrol leak at the bottom of the carb, a slow drip usually after the starter has been pulled a few times.

I'm determined to get this going, as I HATE our 4-stroke Briggs and Stratton mower. It's a pain to use.

Does it attempt to start if you pour a very little amount of fuel down the spark plug hole?

I would be looking at a minor blockage in the carb after a long sit.

Cheers Joe.

Yeah i was thinking the same thing, jet blockage or oil gunk blockage.

I tend to give any old mower thats been sitting a while the same treatment.
1. Wash the whole mower.Remove cowl and clean out gunk around motor
2. Check underneath for stuff wrapped around shaft and clean out gunk.
3. Remove Muffler, tap and blow out.
4. Clean carb outside roughly, remove carb, dismantle carb, clean, blow out jets, reassemble. Blowout snorkel, attach carb.
5. Flush out tank!! If it's been sitting for a while the fuel evaporates and leaves behind all the gunky oil. Blow out fuel line
6. Remove plug, clean plug, give a couple of quirts of a lube in the plug hole, wind over, check spark.

If all the above goes well, reassemble and let her rip!


Let us know how you go.

Perservere with the restoration,it will be a good result when done.if need be i can get my hands on second-hand carbys-engines-old style chrome throttel controls etc...ken

Thanks for this advice guys. I've had to fix the carb now, as I accidentally broke off the valve's rocker arm where it connects to the throttle cable. I'm trying to make a new arm, but my improvised arm is rather dodgy.

There was a lot of rust flakes and gunk in the fuel tank, and it seems the carb was getting fuel, but not fast enough. There also does seem to be a fair bit of gunk clogging up the carb where it joins to the piston chamber.

Once I get the throttle arm, I will try it again. Bodywork needs very little. The model I have seems to be non-existent. It needs a sand and new paint, and there is a slight chunk out of the body near the front where a stone has been thrown.

That particular model was sold under many many different names, I have quite a few similar ones.

I can send you a whole carby (it will need cleaning, etc) for the cost of post if you like to use for parts/repair.

Cheers Joe.

That sounds good. The carby is leaking a lot and my improvised lever is not working too good. Let me know how much postage would be and I'll get back to you. I am around Dungog, NSW.

Also update is that there is no spark, and the magneto needs a look at. I can't seem to get the nut off the fan, any tips? It seems to be stuck out of old age.

I got the flywheel off. XD There is junk all over the magnets and they need cleaning. Prior to this, there was not even a tingle in the spark plug lead.

Hi guys. I've started working on it again after a break. I think I'm in need of a whole new dynamo as I've gone over the whole assembly and can't get any spark -> I'm guessing the coil's shot. I fixed the cut-off problem, I've added a silver toggle switch on the body that simply has ON-OFF written on it. I've given it a paint job or at least 50% of it. I resprayed the handlebar and moter+moter cover black, and when I get some, I'm doing the pull start, body and fuel tank in racing green. Will post photos when done.

i have exactly the same mower but am looking for another fuel tank as mine leaks a little mower goes well and i love it cord has broken but easy enough to fix other wise in excellent condition has a side shute attachment on back of mower for mulching

G'day jeanette, is the fuel tank metal on these?
You maybe able to repair the leak.
Save you having to find a new one.

No mark they are plastic fuel tanks.Jeanette I do have one but I won't be able to get my hands on it until after the new year if you can wait.It is still on the engine.All I want is the engine I don't need the cowl,starter or fuel tank.Your if you want it.Here's what it looked like before stripping motor of base.


99-100_2009.jpg[/img]


This mower was wrecked out,but I still have engine and all the cowl etc still on the engine.Beautiful engine that's why I kept it.Only want the engine for another project I have.