OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Trimmers and Brushcutters Two Stroke Trimmers & Brushcutters Victa Blue Tornado Straight Shaft Not Starting

Hi Guys,

I just want to share this experience fixing this Victa Tornado not starting. Yesterday a customer asked me to fix his brushcutter. Upon checking, there was a spark and 90psi compression so I advised to have the carburetor replaced. I tested the unit, sometimes fired but not starting at all. Checked the spark plug and and it was wet but not flooding. Blow the cylinder with compressed air and fitted with new spark plug. Tested the unit but still not starting. I don't have any doubt with fuel as fuel cycled when primed but still replaced the fuel filter and still not starting. I quoted $75 but took my time already with no avail. I almost give-up and asked myself why I can't fix it. I found a similar bare engine only with no housing cover, carburetor, spark plug and starter from a pile of rubish. Fitted with pull starter and spark plug. Tested the bare engine and it gave a good spark and decent compression of 120psi. I advised the customer to change the ignition coil only but he insisted to have the engine changed as well. "Ok I will change the engine with your existing carburetor and spark plug for $95" . He agreed! I changed it fitted with his existing part, new fuel line and fuel filter, filled with fuel. Tested the the engine, it fired on choke and started and reving good on run. Oh dear it was dark already when I headed it over to the customer. He was happy paying me shaked my dirty hand twice. Have you experienced this sort of problem?

Cheers,
TheCarbyMaster

I serviced one on Saturday. Just needed filters and plug this time. Was just out of warranty. Man advised that the carby had been replaced under warranty, the flywheel then (effectively) exploded and took out the starter and coil (all replaced under warranty.
Then the flywheel went again and was replaced

Then it sounded like it was pinging - fan tooth sheared off flywheel. Replaced again with no guarantee the flywheel wouldn't explode again

Doesn't have a blocked exhaust by any chance CarbyMaster?

Yes, +1 for the blocked muffler/blocked spark arrestor theory.

If the muffler spark arrester isn't clogged and the compression is at 90 psi with the throttle held open then my experience says the engine is worn out as for here it takes at least 100+ PSI for a handheld two cycle to even hit,alone run.
I actually shoot a for minimum of 110 psi.

I have had only a couple over the 10 yrs I been repairing two cycle handheld that would run at 90 psi.

I took two Ryobis (with the trusty U.S sourced torquey 31cc Ryan engines designed to run multiple implements) to a mower repair shop years ago and asked them to get the best one going with a new carby kit.
One was an old green one from 88 or 89 and the other was a later white bodied one from the 90s and I mentioned to him how I was told that the older ones are better and I reckoned the green one would turn out to be the better unit. When I went back he said I was right about the green one being better as it read 120 psi and the other considerably less.
He re-kitted and tuned the Tillotson carburettor and it has been running strong ever since with my leaf blower attachment. It also makes a handy spare whipper snipper if need be.