Victa commando mower. how does one open section for access to recoil spring

On assuming its fitted with a victa 2 stroke engine in which case unscrew the 3 cross head screws on the top plastic cover and remove it. You should then see the top of the engine and the recoil starter. Undo and remove the 3 bolts holding the starter to the engine. Remove the starter housing gently as there will be a large o ring under the stater. Once the starter is off you can undo the centre bolt and remove the recoil pulley and spring. When refitting starter smear a little oil on the large o ring to stop it from being damaged

While I have not done this on newer model lawn mowers, I have replaced recoil springs in the past. Here's what I did: First you need to pull the spark plug wire off so the engine will not start. Then block the flywheel with a piece of wood to keep it from turning. Then, using another piece of wood such as a short (6-8 inch) hardwood dowel placed against the ears of the recoil drive, and drive it in a reverse direction (clockwise) with a hammer to knock it loose. It may take several sharp blows to break it loose. The recoil drive is reverse threaded to keep it from coming loose when the engine is running. Once the drive is loose, remove it to get access to the recoil spring which must be replaced if it is broken. With a new spring in place, rethread the recoil drive counter clockwise until it is finger tight. Then, tighten it down with one sharp blow against the wooden dowel.

LEGEND 3.8HP

check the internet,youtube.

clean it

Remove the recoil assembly from the mower, there are 3 machine screws.
Remove the old rope and get matching cord, make sure you get the correct diameter, usually 3/16 or 1/4 inch, and type, I believe it should be nylon braided. Do not cut the new cord.
Use a match to light the end of the cord and once it ignites, use an old rag to pull and form the end into a point.
Notice which way the pulley in the starter assembly rotates and hand spin it in that direction until it is fairly tight. Once it is tight, rotate it into a position such that you can push the pointed end of the cord from the outside into the hole in the housing of the starter and directly into the hole on the inner pulley. Tie a tight knot in the end of the rope inside the pulley.
Remove the clamp and let the rope get rewound on the pulley. Cut the cord, point this end and run it into the handle and knot it.

It may not be the same on your machine, but most are like this.
Gary

It sounds like the recoil spring is broken. Take off the recoil unit and remove the pull plate replace the spring if it requires itl davidson lawn mower tech

Most recoil assemblies are secured with three machine screws that once removed, allow the assy to be lifted off. The new assy simply reattaches in the same location.
Gary

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly

- Remove the recoil assembly. Depending on engine model you may have to remove the air shroud with the recoil.
- Remove the broken rope assembly from the spool by lifting the knot out of the hole and cut off the knot.
- Pull the remainder of the old rope out of the recoil spool
- Take the remainder of rope out of the pull handle

On the new rope burn the ends with a match. With wet fingers pinch the ends of the rope while hot/melted until it is the same size as the rope. Form a point on the ends
- Install the new rope in the handle by threading it into the handle and tie ONE small knot on the end.
- Pull very hard on the rope until the new knot seats in the handle. Assemble handle.
- PREWIND the spool in the recoil until it stops winding. I.e. max out spring tension but do not over wind it or you will break the spring. Make sure NOT to wind it in the wrong direction or you will break the spring
- Back off the spool until the knot hole is aligned with the rope guide bushing on the outside of the recoil.
- Either use a C-clamp or a 2nd person to hold the pre-wound spool in place.
-Thread the new rope through the outer rope guide and into then through the knot hole in the spool.
-Tie ONE small knot in the rope and pull it HARD back into the knot hole until the knot seats in the knot hole.
-Release C-clamp or have 2nd person let go of the spool. The rope will rewind into the recoil assembly.
-reinstall recoil/air shroud on the engine.

That should get you mowing again.
Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

The recoil spring has broken. These are available at any lawn mower parts supply store. The process of changing the spring is tedious but can be done by anyone with average mechanical ability. If you removed the recoil assy (and air shroud if it is riveted on) and took the assembly to a Lawn Mower Repair shop usually they will change out the spring while you wait. If you can't get the recoil assy off take the mower with you to the repair shop. Again most shops will fix it while you if wait but if they are very busy usually they are serviced within 24 hours.

If you do attempt this yourself check in the tips section of FixYa on how to change the recoil stater rope after replacement of the spring.

I highly recommend you replace the pull rope at the time of the recoil spring replacement.

One final note... there is a possibility that the pull rope spool has been damaged where the spring attaches.

Thanks for using FixYa,

Kelly