The alloy decks shaped like the Vortex are best, so lightweight compared to a steel deck Two-Stroke or Honda Four-Stroke, that there's no need in being 'all psyched up to do the lawn'. But the old mid-1960s Four-Stroke Tecumseh with the small wheels, now your talking about 'white finger' from vibration and you need a shower afterwards.
Another thing I always do to ensure a good start is moments before I finish I turn off the fuel tap let the mower run out of fuel so oil does not settle in the carburettor.
I got my VC out after 10 years, cleaned the fuel tank, filled it, primed , it started first pull. Unfortunately I didn't have the same luck with the 24" slasher mower with a G4 carby.
before I completed a small engines course I would do exactly what you just said. However two stroke engines get lubrication from the 2 stoke fuel mix so turning the fuel tap off also turns off the oil supply (in the fuel) over time this damages the engine incrementally.
@@hellohello8556 the engine does not stop dead when fuel runs out. This is due to cutting disc and flywheel etc still having rotational energy. Turn fuel tap off engine briefly revs higher as mixture becomes leaner then engines dies. The time the engine is slowing down with no fuel and therefore no oil is where engine wear can occure over time. You are simply wrong.
Besides the momentary lean condition that occurs when an engine is allowed to run dry, it's important to remember that most 2 stroke yard equipment uses carburettors that utilise some type of diaphragm for fuel metering. When a carburettor is left empty and dry for awhile, this diaphragm can shrink or harden, as can other gaskets and seals in the fuel system. I've always found its easier to break a carb down and clean out old waxing oil and stale fuel when necessary than it is to purchase and install a rebuild kit which is often necessary after a carb has sat dry for awhile.
@@brianwilson1970 I turned the fuel tap off for years on my mower with no problems at all. I do see your point about the diaphragm. victa 2 strokes are still made in OZ!
Cheers Lou, Great advice and hopefully others will listen and take note. Good video next is the spark plug and air filter maintenance. I had a 160cc tilta-cut give me issues and it was the filter on the fuel tap so every now and then remove the tap and clean that filter.
Thanks buddy just did exactly what you did . Dirty old Victa running like brand new. Used to stall cleaned fuel tank and drained it . Cannot beleive how dirty the old fuel was . Conaminated . Thanks again,
I just bought a Victor with the same engine, hadn't been started in over a year, I put fresh fuel in, and it starts first go. The power of it it's startling too, my lawn was flat in 15 minutes.
Gr8 vid. Thanks. I had a chainsaw mechanic tell me to use a good quality 2 stroke oil and run nothing richer than 40:1 ratio in any 2 stroke engine back in 1981. It has worked for me with engines that have lasted for years without carbon build up and longer spark plug life. I switched to an even leaner 50:1 about a decade ago. The excessive unburnt oil smoke produced by richer 'factory recommended' ratios over the years has only served to give 2 strokes a bad name and cynics would maybe suggest - keep service centres in business.
Yeah. I was told 50:1 but once I got very low on my oil supply and had to use an even leaner ratio and, much to my surprise, I had no problems with it.
I bought a new Victa 2 Stroke in 1999. Use it every week and run it at 40:1 . Still going 20 years later . No signs of stopping, fires up every pull or every second pull. Give it a new air filter once a year and a spark plug every now and then. Indestructible . Also got a CR500 two stroke dirt bike. The good things in life aren't made any more .
i love my 2 stroke , a friend gave me a great tip , turn the fuel tap off then let the mower run out of fuel to stop , mine starts first or second pull everytime now
Not a good idea that...you need some fuel to lubricate the rings/cylinder. That's why the Victa stopping protocol specifies that you short out the motor first and THEN turn off the fuel.
@@trackdusty that cylinder will be lubricated until it runs out of fuel mate... as soon as there's no fuel the engine stops. I bought a victa 2 stroke second hand 10 years ago and it runs like a dream, i turn the fuel tap off every time when im finished and run the carby dry. Tried and tested.
@@tims001 Logical. Then why the protocol which I remember was there from the 50's? BTW I've got two identical Victas, one costing me $15 at the tip. Go forever, though some peripheral parts wear out of course. They've banned the naked 2-stroke I believe. Bloody typical of the modern age.
I was thinking about what might be the reason for that recommendation by Victa in the light of your logical point, tims...probably that there is still 10 or 20 full (and less well lubricated) strokes of the piston after the fuel runs out due to the inertia of the motor. Maybe that's a bit purist but likely what Victa engineers had in mind.
I have dad my victor 160 cc mower for 18 years now. The only thing that has been replaced is 3 sets of blades and a couple of spark plugs. I have always turned the fuel off and let the mower run out of the fuel in the carby. it has always started on the first or second pull. Only problem is my mower while it starts easy and even running at full throttle seems to be running just above idle and to the point that the mower does not cut grass very well. I have looked on U tube and there are plenty of information on how to fix a victor mower that reves too hard, but not one that tells your how to raise the revs to a higher level.
Hello if it's running as not enough power check the diaphragm in the carb it can be split or shrunken at the edges, I have 7 victa mowers all are reliable 1 is set up permanently as a rotary scarifier
What a wonderful machine the 2 stroke is and it's a pity that they are being phased out in the country that invented them. I have one of these in my possession for years and |I will never get rid of it. Keep repairing and using it. A lost part of Australia I think.
@@Francois_Dupont The light modern 2-stroke rotary mower was an Australian invention. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victa Meanwhile the French invented the French Letter which they used far too much, along with excessive wanking...a serious part of their current problem.
My victa (and I assume all modern victa) has a 1L fuel tank, so I bought a 1L fuel jug and a 100ml syringe and use high quality oil. I've only just bought it and it starts fine on the pull start, but it's a bastard to start with the key. I'll get it there, though.
My victa 2 stroke is 30 years old. It starts first pull as long as you do the following: 1. Turn off the fuel tap and let the carb run dry / engine die when you finish mowing. Don't turn the mower off with the throttle. leave the throttle in the wide open / fast running position 2. Turn the tap on to let the carb fill 3. Prime it 8 times. It used to only be 2 - 3 but needs more 4. Pull - starts!. If it fails - one more prime, then pull. This only happens if I haven't used it for a couple of months over winter. I have replaced the carburettor. I've never cleaned the tank and leave fuel in the tank over winter. Be precise with your 25:1 mix ratio.
Started my power torque utility the other day for the first time in over 3 months and it started first try too, so i guess the engines pretty healthy even though it looks like a pos haha. I always use a fresh 25 to 1 mix and keep the plug clean and the blades sharp too 😊
I have a shed full of salvaged engines that are eminently re-buildable but I am finding it difficult to get cheap bases (chassis) that are not rusty or have mashed suspensions..
My old darling still starts easily after 30years , but I can’t seem to to stop my old girl backfiring badly when I turn it off. Scares the dog, cat and wife and I ideas.
You don't. That is why they run a 25:1 mix of fuel and oil, because they have a ball bearing rotating assembly and the cylinder walls are lubricated by the oil content in the fuel mixture. This is how most small 2-stroke petrol/gasoline engines work.
It'll be fine... The engine will still be lubricated and will still start and run. It will just possibly be a bit smokier and oilier smellng in the exhaust than normal. Just don' make a habit of running it overrich in oil, as the unburnt oil will foul the spark plug and make it run like ass.
Hey mate, I have the same mower, it starts fine but dies after about 10-20 seconds, I've tried pumping the primer to stop it from cutting out but doesn't make any difference. Took it all apart cleaned it etc. I am at at loss, any ideas?
I had the same problem before everything on the mower was ok,then it came to me ,the problem was the simplest of things, the fuel cap has a ventilation hole to let air in as the fuel drains if that hole is blocked then vaccuum will hole the fuel in the tank and will not drain, anyway after cleaning the fuel cap everything was great
I have a 1980 Victa, and I err on the side of caution; I use the 50:1 oil at 40:1. Never had a problem, and I have changed the spark plug 3 times up to now.
Once victas get 2 or 3 years old, they need more priming. When they sit for a couple months when they're older, 6 to 10 pumps isn't unrealistic. By that stage a disassemble and clean would also make a difference .or a carby kit.
Great video Lou, nothing more frustrating then being all psyched up to do the lawn and then not having the bastard start.
The alloy decks shaped like the Vortex are best, so lightweight compared to a steel deck Two-Stroke or Honda Four-Stroke, that there's no need in being 'all psyched up to do the lawn'. But the old mid-1960s Four-Stroke Tecumseh with the small wheels, now your talking about 'white finger' from vibration and you need a shower afterwards.
Another thing I always do to ensure a good start is moments before I finish I turn off the fuel tap let the mower run out of fuel so oil does not settle in the carburettor.
I was impressed by the wonderful video.
Old mowers can be used for a long time with maintenance.
The channel has been registered.
I got my VC out after 10 years, cleaned the fuel tank, filled it, primed , it started first pull. Unfortunately I didn't have the same luck with the 24" slasher mower with a G4 carby.
Thank you so much. Victa is a great machine. I love it. I will always put your advice into practice.
The best trick I found is to run the carb dry after mowing the lawns. Just turn the fuel off and let it run until it dies. Victa mowers rock!
before I completed a small engines course I would do exactly what you just said. However two stroke engines get lubrication from the 2 stoke fuel mix so turning the fuel tap off also turns off the oil supply (in the fuel) over time this damages the engine incrementally.
@@brianwilson1970 the oil is in the fuel. The engine stops running when it stops getting fuel. Turning the tap off is fine.
@@hellohello8556 the engine does not stop dead when fuel runs out. This is due to cutting disc and flywheel etc still having rotational energy. Turn fuel tap off engine briefly revs higher as mixture becomes leaner then engines dies. The time the engine is slowing down with no fuel and therefore no oil is where engine wear can occure over time. You are simply wrong.
Besides the momentary lean condition that occurs when an engine is allowed to run dry, it's important to remember that most 2 stroke yard equipment uses carburettors that utilise some type of diaphragm for fuel metering. When a carburettor is left empty and dry for awhile, this diaphragm can shrink or harden, as can other gaskets and seals in the fuel system.
I've always found its easier to break a carb down and clean out old waxing oil and stale fuel when necessary than it is to purchase and install a rebuild kit which is often necessary after a carb has sat dry for awhile.
@@brianwilson1970 I turned the fuel tap off for years on my mower with no problems at all. I do see your point about the diaphragm. victa 2 strokes are still made in OZ!
Cheers Lou, Great advice and hopefully others will listen and take note. Good video next is the spark plug and air filter maintenance. I had a 160cc tilta-cut give me issues and it was the filter on the fuel tap so every now and then remove the tap and clean that filter.
Thanks buddy just did exactly what you did . Dirty old Victa running like brand new. Used to stall cleaned fuel tank and drained it . Cannot beleive how dirty the old fuel was . Conaminated . Thanks again,
I just bought a Victor with the same engine, hadn't been started in over a year, I put fresh fuel in, and it starts first go. The power of it it's startling too, my lawn was flat in 15 minutes.
Gr8 vid. Thanks. I had a chainsaw mechanic tell me to use a good quality 2 stroke oil and run nothing richer than 40:1 ratio in any 2 stroke engine back in 1981. It has worked for me with engines that have lasted for years without carbon build up and longer spark plug life. I switched to an even leaner 50:1 about a decade ago. The excessive unburnt oil smoke produced by richer 'factory recommended' ratios over the years has only served to give 2 strokes a bad name and cynics would maybe suggest - keep service centres in business.
Yeah. I was told 50:1 but once I got very low on my oil supply and had to use an even leaner ratio and, much to my surprise, I had no problems with it.
Great vid. Never considered fuel evaporation resulting in excess oil building up in tank.
They are a great mower the victa power torque 2 strokes
Alloy deck Victa are best see the blog here sfmkm.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_38.html
I bought a new Victa 2 Stroke in 1999. Use it every week and run it at 40:1 . Still going 20 years later . No signs of stopping, fires up every pull or every second pull. Give it a new air filter once a year and a spark plug every now and then. Indestructible . Also got a CR500 two stroke dirt bike. The good things in life aren't made any more .
I hear you. I have a Victa 2 stroke Corsair from 1980. Still going perfectly with very little maintenance.
i love my 2 stroke , a friend gave me a great tip , turn the fuel tap off then let the mower run out of fuel to stop , mine starts first or second pull everytime now
Not a good idea that...you need some fuel to lubricate the rings/cylinder. That's why the Victa stopping protocol specifies that you short out the motor first and THEN turn off the fuel.
Or rather, turn off the fuel and then short out the motor (on the UP setting). That way you still have just a little fuel to lubricate the cylinder.
@@trackdusty that cylinder will be lubricated until it runs out of fuel mate... as soon as there's no fuel the engine stops.
I bought a victa 2 stroke second hand 10 years ago and it runs like a dream, i turn the fuel tap off every time when im finished and run the carby dry. Tried and tested.
@@tims001 Logical. Then why the protocol which I remember was there from the 50's? BTW I've got two identical Victas, one costing me $15 at the tip. Go forever, though some peripheral parts wear out of course. They've banned the naked 2-stroke I believe. Bloody typical of the modern age.
I was thinking about what might be the reason for that recommendation by Victa in the light of your logical point, tims...probably that there is still 10 or 20 full (and less well lubricated) strokes of the piston after the fuel runs out due to the inertia of the motor. Maybe that's a bit purist but likely what Victa engineers had in mind.
I have dad my victor 160 cc mower for 18 years now. The only thing that has been replaced is 3 sets of blades and a couple of spark plugs. I have always turned the fuel off and let the mower run out of the fuel in the carby. it has always started on the first or second pull. Only problem is my mower while it starts easy and even running at full throttle seems to be running just above idle and to the point that the mower does not cut grass very well.
I have looked on U tube and there are plenty of information on how to fix a victor mower that reves too hard, but not one that tells your how to raise the revs to a higher level.
Hello if it's running as not enough power check the diaphragm in the carb it can be split or shrunken at the edges, I have 7 victa mowers all are reliable 1 is set up permanently as a rotary scarifier
What a wonderful machine the 2 stroke is and it's a pity that they are being phased out in the country that invented them. I have one of these in my possession for years and |I will never get rid of it. Keep repairing and using it. A lost part of Australia I think.
Reply
Australia invented 2stroke? Hahaha thats a good one.
@@Francois_Dupont The light modern 2-stroke rotary mower was an Australian invention. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victa Meanwhile the French invented the French Letter which they used far too much, along with excessive wanking...a serious part of their current problem.
jr4750jr Agree entirely. They don't know what to ban next.
My victa (and I assume all modern victa) has a 1L fuel tank, so I bought a 1L fuel jug and a 100ml syringe and use high quality oil. I've only just bought it and it starts fine on the pull start, but it's a bastard to start with the key. I'll get it there, though.
My victa 2 stroke is 30 years old. It starts first pull as long as you do the following:
1. Turn off the fuel tap and let the carb run dry / engine die when you finish mowing. Don't turn the mower off with the throttle. leave the throttle in the wide open / fast running position
2. Turn the tap on to let the carb fill
3. Prime it 8 times. It used to only be 2 - 3 but needs more
4. Pull - starts!.
If it fails - one more prime, then pull. This only happens if I haven't used it for a couple of months over winter.
I have replaced the carburettor. I've never cleaned the tank and leave fuel in the tank over winter.
Be precise with your 25:1 mix ratio.
another very important tip - close the fuel tap straight after shutting down.
Never heard of this mower before.
Started my power torque utility the other day for the first time in over 3 months and it started first try too, so i guess the engines pretty healthy even though it looks like a pos haha. I always use a fresh 25 to 1 mix and keep the plug clean and the blades sharp too 😊
I have a shed full of salvaged engines that are eminently re-buildable but I am finding it difficult to get cheap bases (chassis) that are not rusty or have mashed suspensions..
Very good and this may stop them from going to landfill.
One TH-cam video recommended , always use Champion C J 8 spark plugs and if it can't start , please replace the spark plug .
Thanks mate 🇦🇺
a new spark plug every now & again doesn't hurt either
My old darling still starts easily after 30years , but I can’t seem to to stop my old girl backfiring badly when I turn it off. Scares the dog, cat and wife and I ideas.
Cool lawn mower how much is it
Get rid of the decompressor and pull out the killswitch terminals. Block up the holes, your victa will start first pull most times.
how do you change the oil in these machine as there is no dip stick to be seen anywhere?
You don't. That is why they run a 25:1 mix of fuel and oil, because they have a ball bearing rotating assembly and the cylinder walls are lubricated by the oil content in the fuel mixture. This is how most small 2-stroke petrol/gasoline engines work.
Wish you could service mine...
help! I did the oil petrol mixing wrong. I put 250ml of oil in the jerry can instead of 200ml am I screwed? If not what can I do?
No big deal. It will just smoke a bit more while doing the lawn.
It'll be fine... The engine will still be lubricated and will still start and run. It will just possibly be a bit smokier and oilier smellng in the exhaust than normal. Just don' make a habit of running it overrich in oil, as the unburnt oil will foul the spark plug and make it run like ass.
Hey mate, I have the same mower, it starts fine but dies after about 10-20 seconds, I've tried pumping the primer to stop it from cutting out but doesn't make any difference. Took it all apart cleaned it etc. I am at at loss, any ideas?
I had the same problem before everything on the mower was ok,then it came to me ,the problem was the simplest of things, the fuel cap has a ventilation hole to let air in as the fuel drains if that hole is blocked then vaccuum will hole the fuel in the tank and will not drain, anyway after cleaning the fuel cap everything was great
@@utoobeigiveup Take a look at the air filter on the handle. Might have got damp or blocked. Tap to clean or maybe buy a new one.
Can use a coronavirus mask as a temporary expedient.
@@trackdusty That's true it has happened to me before.
But in this case it was a blockage in the breather hole of the fuel cap.
so it is ok to run 50:1 in a Victa that originally speced 25:1
I have a 1980 Victa, and I err on the side of caution; I use the 50:1 oil at 40:1. Never had a problem, and I have changed the spark plug 3 times up to now.
and if it still won't start call 000.
You are over priming it give it one or two primes on the bulb
Once victas get 2 or 3 years old, they need more priming. When they sit for a couple months when they're older, 6 to 10 pumps isn't unrealistic. By that stage a disassemble and clean would also make a difference .or a carby kit.