I have one of the later model Victa's (V40 Queenslander) and after three years in storage I broke the pull cord. I've donme a lot of work on the older Victas, but I can't work out how to rewind the pull start spring and fit a new cord. Ít appears that the pull start body makes up part of the crankcase and if I remove it I fear I may be up for new seals etc.

Any advice on how to go about this would be appreciated.

Cheers, Peter

Peter Fowles, January 2007

Provided your spring is not broken or disconnected you can replace the rope from the top. You need to pre-tension the spring by winding the black pulley in the reverse direction of pull. Wind until you can go no further then back off one turn, this prevents spring binding. You need to hold the pulley in this position while you fit the new cord, it's easier if you pre-knot the cord first. Feed the cord through the hole in the top of the pulley and also through the rope guide then fit your handle and lock with another knot. Then slowly allow the pulley to rewind and retract the cord. Give a couple of test pulls to ensure full retraction. Most of these starters require about 1.5m of cord. If your spring has broken or is disconnected, you will need to remove and dismantle the starter assembly. There is an oring seal between the starter and crankcase which will need to be replaced if starter assemby is removed.

Moira, February 2007