OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines Victa Commando - seized engine?

Hi, the +1 snapped the starter cord on our old but reliable mower (at least 15 years old).
When attempting to replace the cord i noticed that the cord winder cannot be turned (clockwise) to re-tension.
However, if I remove the starter unit from the mower, the cord winder turns freely to tension the spring - the spring seems to be functioning okay.
But on refitting the starter unit, it still cannot be be turned so as to tension the spring.
Maybe the engine seized & the cord snapped when trying to restart?
Should I be off to get a new mower? Thanks.

Does the engine turn if you disconnect the spark plug lead and tuen the blade plate from underneath?

Just checked, the plate won't turn clockwise, there's a hard stop. (Should I push it harder?)
You can spin it freely in reverse direction from there (I only went half a turn anti clockwise). But it won't go past the hard stop again, when turning clockwise again.

I'm assuming its a 2 stroke here as a lot of commandos were (and when the starter is removed the crankcase is exposed, I would be removing the head as well, something is causing it not to spin, some photos would help greatly

Thanks I'll probably need to find a video instruction for that.
What about some RP7 in the plug hole overnight?

Assuming it's a 2 stroke power torque... (and pics would definitely help)

Make sure the fuel tap is off, disconnect the fuel line from the carb, undo the 3 bolts/screws in the top plastic cowling and remove it. Then undo the 3 bolts securing the starter to the engine block snd remove it. Should take 5 mins max. The head has the spark plug and decompressor screwed into it, just undo the 4 bolts to remove it.

Can do that.It's 2-stroke.

photos not uploading.

photos:

update: crank now turns piston easily (head is off).

all good (so far,)re-assembled, changed fuel - started 2nd pull.

After pressure washing, noticed big fuel leak from carby(G4)/primer.
Next step, replace seals & float?

Sorry I havent been online, chances are nothing was badly stuck, perhaps even a large chunk of carbon had dislodged in the exhaust port and landed in the cylinder. Either way.

If the primer wasnt leaking before but now is, I would carefullly remove the white cap (dont lose the float or the tiny needle) clean it all, and use a new O ring to reassemble.

will do, thanks.

took the white plate off - unscrewed the screw (jet?), and when removing it, it had tiny bits of disintergrated black plastic in the thread.
Cleaned everything and reassembled (but haven't got the new O Ring yet).
It now only seems to leak when pumping the primer - however did get it started & briefly used.
Still to get the new parts, but not sure about the screw/jet - replace everything?.