OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Victa Twin Not Starting

I have a Victa Twin which I recently bought which is in good condition but is a non runner. Checked spark and seems OK. Refurbished carby. Everything seems OK. Tried to start but nothing! Tried starter spray first into air intake and then directly into cylinder (taking out spark plug) but still nothing, not even firing at all. Poured a small amount of fuel directly into cylinder and tried again but still absolutely nothing. This is driving me crazy! Could anyone help out as to what could be wrong with this mower?
Cheers.

One of the biggest problems with the twins when not starting is the rings. Just check to see if there is some kind of compression.Just put your finger over the spark plug holes and see if it has compression. I guess you have already checked to see that it has spark? Also which model twin is it? As the later models had electronic ignition on them. Could be a faulty ignition as well,but let's check compression first. They shouldn't have much as when they run,they have more compression than at starting point. Let me know how you get on.

Thanks Blumbly for your post. Yes, it appears the engine has very poor compression. Looks like it's a case of pulling the engine apart and seeing what the problem is. Not sure what model it is? Spark seems good. Wonder where I could get a new set of rings for it? Could it be a timing problem?
Cheers.

Hi Mowermechanic, rings are non existent for any of the twins or the lightweights(85cc engine), so if your problem is a rings one then good luck. A timing issue will depend on whether it has points or electronic ignition like blumby said. Post a few pics of your machine and some of the twin aficionados will jump in and help out.

I guess one of the biggest things is what colour is the Twin.You really don't have to worry out a timing issue as the 2 cylinders fire at the same time and for memory I don't think it is adjustable,I'll have to check that.As bigted said no replacement rings at all.You should be able to see the rings through the exhaust port.Most problems with rings occur in that area first.If you have a vacuum leak in the hoses or decompressor values that could also be a problem with starting.I only ever pull engines apart if it is the only and last resort.One of my twins had broken rings and a huge chunk missing from the top of the piston and still ran.I thought it only had a vacuum leak but after changing everything 3 times I pulled it apart.So that goes to show that even with big problems they can still run.
Also you have to remember 2 stroke engines don't really produce a lot of compression until they start running.They don't need a lot to start.Try something like start you bastard or Aerostart.My theory is if an engine won't fire on that there a problem.

Hi all,

Don't know how accurate this is BUT A bloke on eBay in SA (May be a member here also) was telling me a little while ago that he has found a supplier of rings in NSW. Samgalah I believe his eBay name is ...

Pete.

Only some sizes of oversize rings but not many.

Bought this mower for $30 off gumtree. Bloke said it didn't run but I just thought it would be carby problems as has the dodgy plastic carby. Would like to get it running and restore it as such an unusual mower. Seems to have a good spark. Rebuilt the carby (though not an expert on this - got the info off youtube). Fuel is definitely getting into the engine as fuel was dripping out of the muffler after about 15 minutes trying to start it (thought it would have at least fired) and spark plug was wet with fuel. Tried aerostart in both cylinders but still not even firing. Hasn't fired once! Any help/suggestions please???

Awesome find for $30 I'm impressed.You seem to have found the first version of the twin and from what I can see hasn't been updated at all.So it most likely has never been serviced.So your got nearly 40 years of running to deal with.So you need to check everything to make sure it is working.However due to it's age and the fact it hasn't seen any service (me personally)straight for the jugular.I'd crack the crankcase and have a look inside first.You won't hear me say that very often but considering what it is and the lack of servicing that's what I'd do first.There were many problems with the first version it could well have cracked rings.See how you go but that's what I'd do on this occasion. What's this?Dodgy carby what?.Why do people call them dodgy just cause there plastic?Once you get your head around them there not that bad or hard to deal with.

doesn't look like it's done much work though. Maybe the original owner missed the window to get the update done, didn't want to pay for it and bought a new machine.

Mowermechanic; What Blumbly is referring to is that Victa found lots of faults with the twins when they first came out - one of which is the easiest NON update to see - they fitted a heat shield infront of the carby as they found fuel was evaporating in the lines. Machines without these updates are very rare but usually in good condition I have found as they really weren't used for long before the owners gave up on them (I know - My uncle rushed out to buy one in '74, threw it in the bin in '74 and bought a new machine). There were lots of horror stories.

As Blumbly said; the LM/G4 carby is a good design once you know what makes it tick. It's kinda like a teenage boy. Arrogant and pig headed when it thinks you have wronged it but give it what it wants and it's nice as pie.

As to your question; make sure the carby is put together properly - sounds like it's flooding badly - check your needle moves freely and seals the fuel when the float pushes it up. After that remove the plugs, pull, pull, pull to clear all the fuel, put it back together again and try again.

I'd be getting that one running, finding a catcher and leaving it original - no restoration. Just a clean up. My opinion machines messed up most of the time on restorations when they start out as nice as yours!

Pete.

Just a thought, behind the rear catcher flap is a service hole for the rear spark plug - do you have the original cover for it still? or is it missing?

Pete

Not the best photo but if you look infront of the carby you'll see the heat shield (A smalll piece of steel riveted onto the base) I referred to in the above post.

Also don't judge the amazingly dirty mower - that's how I bought it.

Well put ihatewetsocks especially the teenage boy part.Now from what I've found so far there were two (Free) updated engines paid for at Victa's expense not the owner.

Yep but if you didn't make it back to get the updated engine before the cut off Victa were not changing them for free.

Someone like me would have put it off and off and off and probably miss the boat

Gave it another try to start today. Sprayed a liberal quantity of Aerostart into air filter housing and gave it about 10 pulls - nothing! Removed front plug and sprayed some Aerostart directly into the cylinder replaced plug and gave it about 10 pulls - still nothing! This mower is so frustrating!
Any way on a different subject I have uploaded some photos of the catcher for this mower which is in need of some repair. Obviously already has had some repairs done before. Any suggestions as to weather this catcher is repairable or if new ones are still available?
Also in reply to Ihatewetsocks yes the original rear spark plug cover is still in place.

WOW. Your mower certainly has not seen much work if it still has the plug cover ...

If your looking for a catcher I am selling one on eBay now (New old stock).

Are you sure you are getting spark? You note in your first post that you seem to be getting good spark - Bright blue? These machines give a very bright BIG spark so if your not getting that change the plugs. Do you have compression? Maybe remove the decompressor valves and test them - attach a length of clean fuel line to the outlet and suck. If they close up they're OK.

They never were a particularly reliable machine.

Pete

Put brand new plugs in but I have a feeling that the spark is not powerful enough to ignite the fuel so maybe magneto problems? Would anyone know what I could do to improve the spark on this mower?
Cheers.

Are you getting bright spark? You can only test the spark on on cylinder at a time; you need to keep the rear one installed and test spark on the front then swap around.

Maybe remove the flywheel and clean/reset the points. Can't remember the points gap but I'm sure someone here will be able to chime in (Or search this forum).

Pete

Thanks, certainly getting some spark but maybe not as good as it should be.
Will try to get the flywheel off and see what the points are like and try the other tests as suggested.
Cheers for your help.

use at least a 400 grit sand paper and lightly clean the points. Also clean the coil and flywheel the same. If it's weak on both cylinders it's likely that cleaning the rust will help.

0.58 - 0.64 points mm , UJ12 spark plug 0.76 - 0.030 mm

Thanks, going to have to take the flywheel off but will probably need a puller to do it. Flywheel pullers for old Victa lawnmowers don't seem to be all that readily available. Checked on Ebay but not much there. Could only find one "universal" type for lawnmowers from the US for about $70. Wondering if anyone would know where I could get a suitable type for this in Oz at maybe a more realistic price?
Thanks in advance for any help.

No need. Use a rattle gun to remove the nut. The shaft is tapered so once it's loose it'll slide up. If it needs it soak in wd40 until it moves.

Good luck!
Pete

Thanks everyone for the help. Hope to have a go at it on the weekend. Hopefully get a few photos as well!
Cheers!

Have uploaded a few photos. Flywheel came off real easy. Points look good. Gave them a clean up. Would anyone have any suggestions on what else I should do before I start putting it back together?
Thanks for any help.

mate i usually fix things with a hammer but do you see the rusty parts on your coil pack and the flywheel in your last two pics, give em a bit of clean with some sandpaper or something abrasive. you have to get the twin going. make them shiny. good luck mate

What Sean said. Clean up the coil and magnets with fine sandpaper.

The kill wires in the back of the carby aren't installed correctly (First photo). That could easily be killing your spark. Make sure the first wire (Fits straight into the carby and is moved by the cam inside) has a new rubber boot on it and the kill wire that slides in the side (The one you can see in the photo) fits nicely in one hole and out the other. If you have never dismantled and reassembled a G4 carb get on youtube and search victa g4 carby. There are a few good videos that will show you how to do it.

Short of that I cannot see anything you need to fix. Have you checked the points gap? You will need a feeler gauge (Again if you have never checked a points gap search youtube).

Let us know how you get on.

Pete

and to be sure , clean under the coil and all other bits , goood clean contackts are always a good thing

Cleaned everything up as can be seen on attached photos. Cleaned and checked points. Brand new plugs. Put back together. Tried it but spark seems to be worse than it was before. Very weak and intermittent. Tried to start it but as suspected a waste of time. Absolutely nothing despite a liberal dose of Aerostart. I'm at my wits end with this mower! Very disappointed with this weekends results. Wheeled it out of sight for now! Maybe magies toast? Any suggestions on where I should go from here?
Cheers and thanks in advance.

sounds like you flooded it mate. are you still pull starting it? if so pull the front plug out and get someone to put there hand over the spark plug hole and see what comes out when you pull a few times. use a drill. dont over prime twins as need less priming the cylinders fire at the same time. good luck