Concrete Saw: Starter Rope Pulls Freely or With Little Resistance
If the starter rope pulls freely or with little resistance it could be due to a problem with the following parts: the starter, pulley, ratchet, or starter springs. Use our guide to help determine the part that is causing the issue. Keep in mind that this is a general guide only. Please reference your owner's manual for complete detailed instructions.
Access the starter by removing any covers. Depending on your model, remove the starter cover and inspect the pulley by carefully looking for a piece that may have broken off. A lot are made from plastic and over time, may break from fatigue.
To replace, pull the starter rope out all of the way and insert a small screwdriver to secure the recoil spring and pulley. Next, remove the rope then take out the screwdriver. To release any tension on the recoil spring, rotate the...
Access the starter by removing any covers. Depending on your model, remove the starter cover and inspect the pulley by carefully looking for a piece that may have broken off. A lot are made from plastic and over time, may break from fatigue.
To replace, pull the starter rope out all of the way and insert a small screwdriver to secure the recoil spring and pulley. Next, remove the rope then take out the screwdriver. To release any tension on the recoil spring, rotate the spring. Loosen the center bolt to take out the friction plate and pull out the old pulley.
To install a new pulley, align it with the housing post and rotate the pulley to tighten the recoil spring. Reinsert the screwdriver and attach the rope, allowing the rope to wind up slowly. Reinstall back on the engine.
Remove the engine cover to expose the starter and then remove the starter from the engine. Take the center bolt and cap off and remove the pulley. If the spring is broken, it will need to be replaced. If not, the spring can be recoiled. The spring only goes in one way – on the locking tabs – so this is easy. Ensure the spring ends are bent properly to lock in the slots on the pulley and then on the starter housing. Remove the starter rope. Attach one end of the spring in the slot on the pulley and wind it up on the inside, not allowing it to...
Remove the engine cover to expose the starter and then remove the starter from the engine. Take the center bolt and cap off and remove the pulley. If the spring is broken, it will need to be replaced. If not, the spring can be recoiled. The spring only goes in one way – on the locking tabs – so this is easy. Ensure the spring ends are bent properly to lock in the slots on the pulley and then on the starter housing. Remove the starter rope. Attach one end of the spring in the slot on the pulley and wind it up on the inside, not allowing it to pop out. Reattach the pulley to the starter housing and slowly rotate the pulley to get the spring to grab and lock in place on the starter housing. This may take some practice.
Next, you have to re-tension the spring. To do so, rotate the pulley in the proper direction so, when you let it go, it will retract the rope. Once you have determined the correct direction, wind up the spring about five or six times to create the tension on the spring. Insert a small screwdriver to hold the pulley in place, with the tension on the spring.
Next, reinstall the center screw and cap to secure the pulley to the starter housing. Insert the rope though the starter hosing and the pulley, making a knot to secure the rope to the pulley. Pull the knot back to the pulley, then hold the pulley tight and removing the screwdriver holding the pulley in place. Let the pulley retract, winding up the starter rope. Reattach the starter back on the engine and secure it down. Put any covers back on that may have been removed to access the starter.