Electric Start Troubleshooting - Engine Turns Slowly

Causes	Solutions
Flat battery	Charge or replace battery
Faulty connection to battery or damage to wiring harness	check battery connections & check wiring harness for damage
Worn bushes in starter motor	Refurbish or replace starter motor
Partially seized or tight engine	Check engine rotation by hand if excessively difficult rectify problem.
(Victa Specific) Pinon slipping on starter motor shaft	resolder pinion gear to motor shaft
(Victa Specific) Bendix Shaft tight in gearbox housing	disassemble & check for obstructions then regrease

Electric Start Troubleshooting - Engine Will Not Turn

Causes	Solutions
Flat battery	Charge or replace battery
Faulty connection to battery or damage to wiring harness	check battery connections & check wiring harness for damage
(Victa Specific) Faulty Decompressor	Check & rectify decompressor faults
Faulty key, switch or button	Check components for correct function with a multim
(Victa Specific) Pinon slipping on starter motor shaft	resolder pinion gear to motor shaft
(Victa Specific) Bendix Pinion jammed in flywheel	Release jammed gear & inspect for damage
Starter motor faulty	Repair or replace starter motor
Seized Engine	Check engine rotation by hand & rectify problems
Broken or seized Pinion Gear or shaft	Check components for damage & replace as necessary

Electric Start Troubleshooting - Electric Motor Turns But Engine Does Not

Causes	Solutions
Battery wiring reversed	Check & correct polarity
Pinon slipping on starter motor shaft	resolder pinion gear to motor shaft
(Victa Specific) Bendix Pinion jammed in flywheel	Release jammed gear & inspect for damage

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Will Not Start

Causes	Solutions
Out of Fuel	Check Fuel Levels
Incorrect throttle lever position	Adjust cable position or replace
Spark plug lead not connected	Connect lead, Test for continuity if in doubt
Engine or Carburetor flooded	Remove Spark Plug & turn engine over, Service carburetor to prevent further flooding
Faulty Spark Plug	Test or replace spark plug
Stale or contaminated fuel	Drain carburetor & replace fuel
Low compression	Replace Piston & Rings & Check Valves (4 Stroke)
Incorrect Timing	Check flywheel key, Make sure blade carrier is secure, Check timing marks line up where available
Low or no oil (4 Stroke)	Fill with oil, If still unable to start internal components may be damaged
Blocked fuel tap	Clean Filter & test fuel flow
Block jet filter	Clean jet filter
Needle valve sticking closed	Unstick valve, clean & remove any obstructions
Blocked air filter/intake	Check for obstructions & remove or clean as nessesary
Blocked exhaust port	Check for blockage, clean & remove as nessesary
Fuel cap vent blocked	Test venting & replace or clean cap as required
Flywheel key damaged	Check key & replace if nessesary
Improper air gap on Ignition Coil	Check & set gap
Improper Point Gap	Check & set gap or replace with electronic module
Failed Ignition Coil, Module or Condenser	Test components & replace as nessesary
Shorted wiring loom	Check for damage & test with multimeter
Crankcase seals or gaskets leaking (2 stroke)	Check seals & replace as required
Damaged Reed, Port Plus, Seals or Gaskets	Check & replace damaged parts as required
Faulty Electric starter	Check function and repair if needed, Try manually if possible
Vapour Lock in fuel system (Hot Start Problem)	Insulate Fuel Line & carburetor from engine heat

Engine Troubleshooting - Loss Of Power

Causes	Solutions
Incorrect Throttle Setting	Check throttle is fully open, Adjust or replace cable if required
Dirty Air Filter or Rich Fuel Mix	Clean or replace air filter, Clean & Adjust Carburetor
Too Low Height Adjustment (Lawn Mower)	Check Engine Performance with raised deck
Low or no oil (4 Stroke)	Fill oil immediately, Engine may be permanently damaged from lack of oil
Float Adjustment incorrect	Check float level
Dirt in carburetor	Drain & clean carburetor
Carburetor adjustment incorrect	Adjust carburetor
Parasitic Loading in electrical system	Check electrical system for faults and reduce loading if required
Poor fuel quality	Drain carburetor & replace fuel
Fuel filter restricted or fuel line kinked	Check fuel flow & remove obstructions
Overheating Engine	Check for dirt buildup around cooling fins or broken flywheel fins
Fuel mix too lean	Check for air leaks & adjust carburetor
Engine Knocking	Check fuel quality, Check piston for carbon build up, Check for excessive movement in engine bearings
Flywheel loose	Check flywheel mounting bolts
Fouled spark plug	Replace Spark Plug, Check Fuel Mix is not to rich, Check 4 Stroke is not burning oil
Weak Valve Springs	Check & replace if required
Improper valve clearance	Reset Valve Clearances

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Won't Stay Running

Causes	Solutions
Fuel Blockage	Check for kinks in fuel line, Check for proper venting of fuel cap, Clean & adjust carburetor
Blocked Exhaust Port	Check for obstructions & clean as required
Dirty Carburetor	Clean carburetor

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Hesitates

Causes	Solutions
Improper Carburetor Adjustment	Clean & adjust carburetor
Incorrect Idle Speed	Check & adjust idle speed
Parasitic Loading in Electrical system	Reduce electrical loads, Check for harness damage
Poor fuel quality	Drain carburetor & replace fuel

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Hunting & Surging

Causes	Solutions
Damaged governor springs	Check & replace springs as required
Blocked Vacuum Hoses	Check for obstructions & clean as required
Blocked or restricted jets	Clean & replace jets as required

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Runs Too Slow Or Too Fast

Causes	Solutions
Damaged governor springs	Check & replace springs as required
Throttle cable broken or incorrectly adjusted	Check cable for damage & adjust or replace as required
Incorrect Idle Speed	Adjust Idle Speed

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Turns Off When Idling

Causes	Solutions
Too Slow Idle	Adjust idle speed
Restricted Carburetor	Clean Carburetor
Improper carburetor adjustment	Adjust Carburetor Mixture screws

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Blows Smoke

Causes	Solutions
White or Blue Smoke	Water or Oil is being burnt, Check Piston rings, Check For Cracked Cylinder head
Black Smoke	Fuel Mix is too rich, Adjust Carburetor, Check for blockages in intake & clean or replace carburetor

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Misses Under Load

Causes	Solutions
Faulty Spark Plug or Incorrect Gap	Adjust Gap or replace plug
Ignition System Failure	Test & repair or replace faulty components
Fuel Delivery Problem	Clean & adjust carburetor, Check fuel flow & fuel pump is available

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Knocks

Causes	Solutions
Poor fuel quality	Drain carburetor & replace fuel
Worn Bearings	Check bearings for excessive movement replace as required
Carbon buildup in combustion chamber	Clean combustion chamber & piston crown

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Overheats

Causes	Solutions
Lean Fuel Mix	Clean & adjust carburetor, Check for air leaks
Dirty Engine or damage cooling fins	Clean engine, Repair or replace damaged fins

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Stops Freqently

Causes	Solutions
Fuel supply blocked	Check for kinks or obstructions in the fuel line, Clean Carburetor
Engine worn or seized	Check internal parts for damage & wear. Replace as required
Fuel cap not venting	Check cap vents replace is required
Low or no oil	Fill oil, Permanent engine damage may have already occured

Engine Troubleshooting - Engine Vibrates Excessively

Causes	Solutions
Build up of dirt or grass on upper surface of blade carrier	Clean blade carrier
Blades out of balance	Replace or balance blades
Bent or damaged blade carrier or blades	Check for damage replace if required
Low or no oil	Fill oil, Permanent engine damage may have already occured
Loose engine mounts or blade assembly	Check & tighten
Bent or damaged crankshaft	Replace damaged parts or replace engine completely

Lawn Mower Troubleshooting - Poor Cutting Or Catching

Causes	Solutions
Blades worn or damaged	Inspect & replace as required
Blade carrier loose	Check & tighten
Too Slow Rpm	Increase engine speed
Blades Restricted by dirt or grass buildup under Chassis	Clean excess dirt & grass
Blocked vents in grass catcher	Clean out vents

Victa Troubleshooting - G3 Carburetor

Causes	Solutions
Blockage in internal passages of jet block	Dismantle & clean
Air leak where carburetor joins cylinder	Ensure carb is mounted correctly & heat insulation is correctly installed
Air restriction , Section of choke or air filter is missing	Replace choke or air filter & clear obstructions
Snorkel torn or punctured	Repair or replace snorkel
Faulty gasket on cylinder base	Replace Gasket
Faulty top or bottom crankshaft oil seal	Replace faulty seals

Victa Troubleshooting - G3 Carburetor

Causes	Solutions
Punctured float	replace float
Incorrect float level	reset float level
Dirty or faulty fuel needle & seat	Clean & replace as required