Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): MccullochTrimmer & edger -Model 1240, spring coils, spray lubricant

Question
John,  

I asked a question about this edger in the subject line and you needed the numbers off the model 1240 trimmer &Edger. the number on the unit were 45722-02 and 46704-69.  The question again is " While I was cleaning the edger I turned loose a phillips head screw that released the rewinding rope ( the one you pull to start the edger).  The spring unwind in the housing.  Please advise how to rewind the spring.  Thanks!!

Answer
Hello Again Phil:

Thanks for the Information. The Following is a General Instruction File I Made to Perform this Repair. If you have Any Suggestions or Remarks, then Please Let me Know. Thanks. **Remove the Boom/Shaft from the Engine. Remove the Mounting Bolts and the Boom and Center Drive Shaft should Slide Away from the Starter Housing Assembly. **On Some Model Trimmers, there is a Torx Screw Inside the Coupling Drive that has to be Removed. There is also a Locking Screw on the Side of the Housing that is a Anti-Vibration Lock.** Using the Breakdown as a Guide Remove the Starter Housing Assembly from the Engine Assembly. Now Carefully/Slowly Remove the Pressure Plate Assembly from the Starter Housing. The Spring May have Broken and Sometimes a Section will Jump Out when the Pressure Plate Assembly is Removed from the Starter Housing. When it Jumps, it Pushes the Recoil Pulley Out Also. Look at the Direction of the Coil of the Spring in the Housing and Make an Arrow in the Direction of the Coil with a Magic Marker on the Inside of the Housing. Remove the Broken Spring and Clean the Housing with Spray Lubrication. You can Use Solvent if Required, Just be Sure to Wipe it Before Assembly with Spray Lubricant. The New Spring should come with a Retainer that Holds it in a Circle. If you have Removed the Spring from the Retainer, then Use a Piece of Plastic Pipe About 2" Long that is the Same Inside Diameter as the Retainer (Slightly Smaller than the Recess that the Spring Coils Into if you Lost the Retainer). Coil the Spring Into the Pipe and then Set the Spring Into the Recess. Make Sure the Spring Tab of the Spring Engages the Spring Lock in the Recess. Use a Socket to Hold the Spring in Place and Pull the Pipe Out of the Recess. Lock the Pulley in Place. Now Turn the Pulley in the Same Direction that the Pulley would Turn if the Rope was Turning it. Once the Pulley will Turn No More, then Reverse Direction 1 or 2 Turns and Thread the New Rope Through the Hole in the Center of the Pulley and Out the Hole in the Blower Housing. Pull the Rope Through Until it is Tight Against the Pulley. Now Tie a Slip Knot in the Rope to Hold the Pulley in Place While the Handle is Attached to the Rope. Once the Handle is Attached, Release the Slip Knot and the Rope Should Retract Into the Housing. Reassemble the Blower Housing Onto the Engine. On Some Models you May have to Install the Rope Before you Lock the Pulley in Place. If So, there is a U in the Pulley that the Rope is Held in While Turning the Pulley to Tighten the Spring. You can View a Breakdown of this Unit at this Site Addy;
http://www.ordertree.com/cms/parts-lookup-help/73.html and Select the OEM (McCullough) and Enter the Model Number and Click Go. If No Results, then Select the Click Here for Help. Now Scroll through the Units Listed and Locate your Model. Then Select your Model and View
the Breakdown/IPL. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Have a Happy Holiday Season and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.

Respectfully

John