how to fix a pull start that won't retract
My goal with We Mow Dallas is to teach you exactly how to maintain your lawn and landscape. But also because it's fun while doing something useful and I always learn a lot during my experiments. When you pull the rope, centrifugal force sends the pawls inside the starter outwards, which lock onto the flywheel and turn the engine over. Make sure you get a quality spring as it may easily lose its tension if its of a poor quality. The cord can be replaced, but youll need to make sure the new one is properly secured to the pull start housing. Even if you own a leaf blower pull cord that wont retract or pull cord on pressure washer wont retract, Honda hrx217 pull cord wont retract or lt50 pull start not catching. it is crazy or broken. Here are some signs that your mowers recoil mechanism has gone bad: In the case of a tangled string, youll have to remove it by hand. 3 Best Fade Resistant Patio Umbrella (2023 Review), 3 Best Karcher For Patio Cleaning [2022 Review], 3 Best Patio Chairs for Bad Backs (Review), 3 Best Patio Umbrella for Windy Conditions, 3 Best Thermal Curtains for Patio Door (Review), 3 Best Universal Grass Catcher for Zero Turn Mower, 3 Heavy Outdoor Furniture for Windy Areas, 4 Best Dandelion Killer That Wont Kill Grass, 4 Best Heater for Covered Patio [2022 Review], 4 Best Herbicide that Kills Everything but Bermuda, 4 Best Indoor TV for Covered Patio (2022 Review), 4 Best Natural Gas Patio Heater (2022 Review), 4 Best Outdoor Patio Vacuum (2023 Review), 4 Best Outdoor Standing Fan for Patio in 2022, 4 Best Patio Dining Sets Under 500 Dollars (2022 Review), 4 Best Patio Door Security Bar (2022 Review), 4 Best Patio Doors for Cold Weather (2022 Review), 4 Best Umbrella Base with Wheels (2022 Review), 4 Best Wall Mounted Patio Heaters [2022 Review], 5 Best Oil for Kawasaki Lawn Mower Engine, Best Outdoor Patio Furniture for Heavy Weight (Review 2022), Best Patio Furniture for Desert Climate / Full sun (2022 Review). If your engine starter rope pulls freely with no tension, check our repair and symptom guide to find the best solution to this problem. Clean the area with blow air and a soft brush to remove dirt. Start by taking out the starter and see if theres any damage on the surface. In some cases, the cracks can cut the pull cord. For that, follow the following steps: If the pull cord is tangled, you can unknot it. The pull start on your lawnmower, snow blower, or other small engine is a coiled rope attached to the flywheel. Now, you must tighten the recoil spring. The engine starts fine but stops running as soon as you release the handle or stop pulling on the cord. However, if the spring is broken it will need to be replaced. Now that we know the causes that are likely to stop the generator pull cord from retracting, we must look into ways of fixing the issue. Its possible that it has become disconnected or damaged and will need to be replaced. To replace, pull the starter rope all the way out and insert a small screwdriver to lock the pulley in place against the starter housing. These steps are expected to fix the issue and allow your generator pull cord to retract when released. The solution to the problem is inspecting the integrity of your pulley. The starter cord doesnt fully retract when you release it. With many repeated engines starts, the rope wears out due to friction against the pulley. While attaching the spring, keep one end fixed and rotate the other end until it reaches the next attachment point. 1. When starting the engine, you have to pull the cord, and it unwinds the recoil spring and pulley. 1. Your email address will not be published. Troubleshooting this is pretty simple. To examine the friction plate, you must remove the starter. (9 Unexpected Scents That Make Roaches Flee), Does Baking Soda Kill Roaches? Over time, this can twist and form kinks (like a hosepipe). What Smells Repel Cockroaches? Be careful not to damage it. With the engine reconnected, give the pull start mechanism a few test pulls to ensure that it starts the engine and retracts smoothly. If the screws that hold the pull start in place become stripped, it can be difficult to remove the pull start. After the new setup is complete, restart the engine by pulling the pull cord and notice its behavior. -Reel recoil starter is a rubber mobile circular parts that contain in outer side the Recoil spring starter and inner side the Ratchet starter assembly. This prevents it from being used to start the generator again. There are many possible reasons why your lawn mower may not be pulling, and the most common ones include blade obstruction, clogged gas or oil engines, and worn-out blades. Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases. Make sure that the assembly is properly aligned and that the pull cord can move freely without any obstructions. The starter cord seems loose. At the end of the pull, the recoil spring winds itself back and pulls the cord back around the pulley. Therefore, its important to inspect the recoil spring by following the below-mentioned steps: If the recoil spring is broken, you will need a new one. a friend got this non running pressure washer did a tune up to get it running but it will give a nasty pull start kick back. Youll need to inspect the integrity of the pulley by removing the starter and checking any damage on its parts. Such repair may cause injury. To fix this, you need to replace the damaged springs. If your pull start is still not working after replacing the cord and pulley, there may be an issue with the engine itself. If your pull cord moves slightly, it's likely that there are grass and debris that needs to be removed from the housing on the top of the motor. Next, remove the rope, then remove the screwdriver to release any tension on the recoil spring by rotating the pulley. Why doesn't my pressure washer recoil starter work? - Sears Parts Direct It seems like an obvious explanation, but it is true. Rotate the pulley in the proper direction approx 5 -6 times for the proper tension on the recoil spring and insert a small screwdriver through the pulley, into the starter housing to lock it into place. Pull out the rope to access the knot used to tie it to the pulley. I'm impressed." Remove the starter from the engine. Before putting up the cover, to protect the pull cord, let the recoil spring pull back the cord slowly. Inside the housing of your snowblower, there's a tiny hole that feeds out the pull start to its maximum. Remove the friction plate by loosening the center bolt. A pull cord should be made of high-quality material, but they get old, wear and tear with time. Options. Rust/corrosion from exposure to weather affecting metal components. ), How To Add Return Air Duct? The chances of this occurring inside the pulley are quite low given that theres only enough space for the rope to go in and out. 1. It should be retracted back into the starter housing. Remove starter clutch assembly. A cracked or broken pulley will not be effective because the recoil spring wont maintain its tension. Very convenient. Replace with a new one and test the pull cord for a smooth flow before you can reinstall the other parts. In most cases, it occurs outside after you have pulled the rope out and knot larger than entry. 1 yr. Also read: What can I use to drain my lawn mower oil? and other brands like Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki. Unveiling Secrets! Steve is a qualified small engine mechanic and is working in an open and fully ventilated shop for the purpose of making this video. To fix a pull start that wont retract, you will need the following tools: a flathead screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, a pair of needle-nose pliers, a pair of regular pliers, a small container for screws and parts, a can of WD-40 or other lubricant, and a clean cloth. Break or get jammed due to a bent or broken pulley. While buying a new spring make sure you buy a good quality one otherwise it will lose its tension soon. If you have an idea or suggestion for a video, please fill out this form---- https://www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/video-suggestions.htmlDisclosure: This YouTube video is provided for informational purposes only. How to fix a pull starter recoil spring and replace a stuck or limp A recoil spring in the lawn mower is responsible for retracting the pull cord back after pulling during the starting phase of the mower. First, you pull the cord until your arm is so sore you cant move it anymore, and then the machine finally starts. Find the right portable source of energy for all your crafts, Generator Wont Stay Running: Causes & Quick Fixes. You can turn the pulley in the direction opposite to the direction of unwinding the spring. Once the spring is reinstalled, carefully reattach the recoil spring cover. Next, you must remove the friction plate. Reinstall the starter back onto the engine. In this way, the new spring is expected to work fine. The starter grip rotates with the pulley, but no cord moves through it because theres an obstruction in the housing, such as something blocking the passage of the cord. When this setup is done properly, both the recoil spring and the pull cord are unwinded when pulled. What should you do? How to repair a leaf blower cord that won't pull However, unsurprisingly pull start locks can sometimes become jammed or stuck. Remove the center bolt then the cap of the pulley system to remove the plate and check it. Reattach the starter back onto the engine and secure it down. Before reassembling you will probably need to recoil the starting spring. This will allow you to easily access and repair the pull start mechanism without any obstructions. Remove the starter and the fan shroud to get access to the starter clutch. Pull down or Pull Out kitchen faucet Low water pressure Rotate the pulley to tighten the recoil spring then, reinserting the screwdriver to lock the pulley, attach the rope to the pulley. As someone who loves to spend time with natures best, I find myself learning a lot more about gardening and outdoors on a daily basis. Remove the starter rope. Typically, if the starter will not retract, it is jammed somewhere in the starter. To inspect it, remove the starter and inspect the pulley for any signs of damage that might be causing it to get stuck, and replace if needed. Most gas blowers start the engine by pulling on the starter cord. Reinstall the fan shroud and the starter cover. Also, lubricating the moving parts may help solve these problems. The belt itself is known as the webbing. If your starter rope will not retract properly after you pull it, theres a chance you may have a weak or broken spring. Due to this, you cannot start the generator using the pull cord again. My Scotts Lawnmower Cord Won't Recoil | Home Guides | SF Gate Use pliers to remove the damaged pull cord from the reel and get a replacement pull rope with the same thickness as the old one. The best way to prevent this from happening is by regularly cleaning all parts of your bike including the derailleur with a degreasing solution like CRCs WD-40 Bike Cleaner/Degreaser before each ride. In almost every situation, you dont have to buy a new recoil starter except in case of several defective parts. Although this guide is specific to the pull-start, the same concepts can be applied to fixing any retractable cord. Sometimes the starter rope can get wrapped around and caught up in the pulley, and this can prevent the it from retracting. Good weed vs bad weed. You Can Check It Out to Fix a Tape Measure That Will Not Retract, Here we have given tips on how to fix a pull start that wont retract. Now that we know the causes that are likely to stop the generator pull cord from retracting, we must look into ways of fixing the issue. Remember, this issue isnt likely to happen with a new generator. Make sure the cover is securely in place and that the spring is not visible. If the rope is not retracting along its entire length, your spring is decompressed, i.e. To remove the broken plate, you will have to remove the center bolt and then the cap. how to fix a pull start that wont retract. To install a new rope, remove the starter from the engine. In this situation, one of the springs notches may be damaged, either on the reel recoil starter or recoil launcher side. If its broken, youll likely see it straight away. Its important to check all these connections when performing routine maintenance on your equipment- otherwise, serious problems can develop that will require professional intervention! Cleaning it off may resolve the issue. Take out the starter from the generator. Luckily, theres an easy fix for this! This is a super common mistake people make when putting their recoil / rewind starter back together on their chainsaw, blower or weedeater. Everything Ive learned about gardening, landscaping, and lawn care spring from passion and engagement with my parents. Another reason why your generator pull cord wont pull can be the wear and tear of the friction plate or driver plate. The string is tangled on the spindle or pulley inside the housing. The pull cord retracts because of a recoil spring wounded around the pulley on its lower side. Eventually the rope will break. Install the new clutch and tighten down with channel locks, then remove the pry bar. The pulley houses the pull rope and the recoil spring. Here are some signs that the lawnmower pull cord wont retract because of wear and tear on the starter clutch: First, check the starter clutch for damage, such as broken teeth, cracks, and replace it as necessary/if needed. In just a few simple steps, you can have your lawnmower up and running again. The recoil spring retracts the rope back into the starter after you pull the rope to start the engine. It can sometimes become disconnected from the starter and lose tension. 12 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Snowblower, The Difference between Rock Salt and Ice Melt. Gently tap on the cap of the starter clutch (see photo). The seat belt is fixed at the side of your seat, goes across your lap to the buckle, and heads back up to the pillar loop. -Guide ratchet allows the both ratchet starter a 1/4 circle movement for engaging the rotary movement.