A mate wants the same mower fixed , as he saw me working on it. He likewise has spent $200 from same shop getting his mower fixed, but it only a mow or two, then doesn't rev. speedy
Maybe you have just found half your problem speedy - two identical mowers that won't rev - both have had fixes attempted by the same shop
Not to say that there aren't inherent problems with the plastic carbys, but maybe they have done something that has turned what would be a easy fix, into something more strange.
Well that the difference between us real mechanics and the so called dealer mechanics that are at some shops. It like what we were discussing earlier about how some shop are outrageous on their repairs bills. Here if I can't fix it right, I will not half way repair it just to get the repair bill. I just don't understand how some shops can even stay in business but people must like getting ripped.
What I hate is having to undo all the screw ups just to get to the real problem(s). Takes twice as long to do the repairs if not longer. It is so much easier to repair something that no else has touch repair wise as you never know you are in for.
Speedy his teeth can't be for real, the carbs are very basic so why are they so problematic and cost $200 to fix, that seems like it might be a standard cost because that is what it cost a bloke down here
A friend bought a set that looked like shark teeth and every time he put them on I'd burst into uncontrollable laughter!! They looked so ridiculous. It got to the point where I almost begged him to put them on again for the belly laugh. Sadly he has lost them, but only the other day he found a rubber dog snout you put over your nose and the laughs came thick and fast! I just have to think about it and I'm smiling.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Norm, The $200 is for two fixes..... average $100. I thoroughly cleaned the carb today after watching videos, checked the govener spring , took that ball out..... Still it would't rev. A mate dropped his identical mower in so I'll have a look at that one and see if I can get it going..... I should get some Chad Morgan teeth and make a sad youtube video........ He seemed to know what he was doing and had a big workshop..... guess they get boredd and post up stuff. cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
My mates Victa Super Catcher with BS 550ex started and revved OK........ but he had problem . Anyway I cleaned airfilter as it was full of gunk, blew air around engine to get rid of dust. Sharpned blades and cleaned buildup of grass/dirt underneath. I mowed the backyard to test it and it was OK...... I just said use 91 unleaded, not 95 or 98.. So he's happy and a six pack is on the way.
I'd like to get a spare carb from tipshop to check the other engine........ speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
Speedy, you should have ripped the carby off his and tested it on yours, only takes a few mins, at least you would know what the problem is for sure then. I thought Chad Morgans teeth were real
I didn't want to muck his engine up, so I'll get a spare. And yes Chads teeth are real..... He had a show up this way around christmas, must be 50 years performing....... speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
I did take the carb off my mates good engine and test it on the bad one. Worked well, revved....mowed a bit of lawn. Then cleaned it and put it back together..... I put a new O ring in the white jet module..... didn't help.
This might be the solution...... I found a carb in my B&S box..... Cleaned it up , budgied it on, it started , ran well, idled well and revved....... I'll have to drill a couple of holes on the carb to mount it, and put an air filter and throttle cable..... But I'm not sure about the air pipe breather and the govener spring...... The carb has a small logo, looks like B&S... Just want to get it going at small cost..... cheers speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
Speedie it looks like a Qantam carb, one that has a primer in the filter housing and the crank breather also feeds into the filter housing. Problem with the governor with the carb in that position is that it is working backwards and can't operate. If you remember on the Quantams the carb was on the opposite side so worked tin the other direction. I have said it before if this was easy, everybody would do it.
Hi Speedy, I just saw Chad Morgan on TV performing up at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, I think they said he is 85, his teeth are still going strong but he has lost a bit of zip since the last time I saw him live but that is probably 25 years ago
The guy came to pickup the Victa, it didn't start.................. He said he would leave it with me. He said it was his second one. He took the first Blue Victa back to Bunnings, and they said just pick another....... He said if I can't get it going, he would give it to me and buy a new mower..... Another friend needs a mower. I would NEVER recommend a blue Victa Super Catcher with the Briggs & Stratton 550ex engine. untill B&S do a recall and fix he carby.... Another friend has one, he had it back to the dealer for a service as it wasn't running properly.......
speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
I would NEVER recommend a blue Victa Super Catcher with the Briggs & Stratton 550ex engine. untill B&S do a recall and fix he carby.... Another friend has one, he had it back to the dealer for a service as it wasn't running properly.......
speedy
Strange as many of these carbs Briggs have out there without problems other than idle jet clogging problem which they issued an upgraded module for. I think your in for a very long wait for a recall. The only other problem that I have seen a fuel related problem where it small jelly like balls similar to jelly beans that was clogging the metering ports but was definitely a fuel additive problem. I definitely have seen any service bulletins other the module change on this engine.
Maybe a member that live close enough can help you out by looking at it. I know I might be a little too far to do it. and I am not a swimmer either.
Very frustrating speedy, I hate being beaten by a problem like this. I'm picking up another 10 PT motors today, pity you aren't a bit closer. AVB, I haven't checked but Bundaberg to Melbourne might be nearly as far as Bundaberg to Tennessee but this is over land. Not sure if Bundaberg is copping it at the moment but QLD is getting major flooding at the moment, I think I heard 6 inches in an hour somewhere
Hi Speedy, Try running the mower without the air filter and observe any difference. Sounds doesn't make sense but happens to me that air filter slows down the rev. I rebuild the carby with no luck. I removed or replaced with a new air filter and it works fine.
Walked into the mower shop today, and guess what was being picked up by a customer - a victa super catcher with 550ex. Asked the mower's owner - same symptoms - black smoke out of exhaust (rich mix), revs and stops, etc.
All that was billed for was air filter, pre filter, plug, new oil (she said her son over filled it). Labour was only the regular service labour, so doesn't seem as though tear down was required.
Wonder if its fixed.
Are you sure its fuel and not oil spitting back through the carby, just in case something is up with the crankcase vent system. If the oil clogs the paper filter, no air flow and no revs/running as thecarbymaster said.
Speedy, could you post a couple more images of different angles of the carby?
and I am not a swimmer either.
