OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines Correct way to install/remove muffler

Working on a Victa Commando which is a 2 stroke powertorque. I can't get the muffler back on. If I start with the top clip, I can't get the bottom clip in, if I try with the bottom clip, I can't get the top one on. I have used needle nose pliers and screwdrivers but to no avail. The clips are pretty rust but seem to have enough spring in them. How do you guys go about this job?

Hi.

Position the muffler so the oulet is through the base and the bottom of the muffler angled in towards the block, but the muffler inlet is not in the block at this stage. Put the bottom clip on the muffler(at an angle), then you will be able to manipulate the muffler into the cylinder. Place the top clip on the muffler and prise it on over the cooling fin side (it has a little locating hole). You may need the cowl removed depending on which type is fitted.

Hope this helps

Ta

Thanks Rusty Ute, I thought I tried a variation of what you've described but found I couldn't get the muffler into the cylinder. Do you use any persuasion tools to help?

No, sometimes I find yelling abuse at the mower helps, and gives the neighbours something to talk about. :p

Yes tiger you have found the problem that I hate as well. It's not just the powertorque engines that this problem comes to,but also the full crank box mufflers as well. Unforunatly there is no easy solution,but as said before the angle and the bottom first is the best way. Then finding something or even yourself push like all hell to get that top clip on. All the time making sure not to let the bottom clip come off. If all else fails I have found putting the muffler on off the base is some what easier. As you can lay the engine on the carby side (carby off of course) and have no problems pushing down on muffler to get it. So I guess removing engine to do it that way is always an option. As said there really isn't an easy way as they have to be tight so they don't leak. Best of luck just keep trying you'll get it. You will find a way as we all find our own way to make it work.

Thanks Blumbly, glad it's not just me. There's not much in the manual on this and haven't seen anything on YouTube either on the re-installation of the muffler. I have been able to do it easier on other Victas that I've worked on, I wonder whether the clips contract slightly over time and lose some of their "springiness". Anyway we'll keep trying because we have to, those Victas are LOUD without them.

Yes they are loud. Yeah just keep at it,it's just a matter of getting it in the right spot. You'll win I know.

I will put my too bobs worth in to help out.

I actually do exactly what rusty states but to get the mufler back into the block I use a rubber mallet and tap the top of the muffler lightly by guiding it back into position. If your worried about the muffler place a small piece of wood in between.

If you tap the front of the muffler it wont go back into position.

the trick is to always put the bottom clip on first.

I then use a small piece of thin scrap metal to prise the top clip into position. I havent had a problem following this method.

Thanks Pete, I am going to try all the methods mentioned here and see what is successful. Funny you say get the bottom clip in first, sure I read somewhere (may not have been in these forums) that it's easier to do the top first, we'll see soon.

Just thought I'd share my experiences on this. I tried a couple of different ways to re-install the muffler. I actually had to do this on 2 machines this weekend.
Firstly I did it on a Powertorque. I tried to connect the top clip first but couldn't get the bottom one on. I then connected the bottom clip on but could not get the muffler to line up with the cylinder block. I hit the muffler with a mallet, no success. I then moved the bottom clip on an angle, the muffler lined up with the block and with a large flat-bladed screw driver I managed to get the top clip on. All in all not too bad.
Then I tried on another Victa, this one is the 160cc that preceded the Powertorque, it has a couple of muffler clips that are not straight, they begin straight and contain a v-shape and straighten out again, they are absolutely painful to deal with. They took ages to put on compared with the Powertorque, in the end I had to get some help with someone pushing the muffler in while I pushed the top clip with a screwdriver. Got there in the end but only after a lot of swearing.