Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Chainsaw Starter Recoil Spring, spring coils, recoil starter

Question
John, I have a Poulan Woodshark chainsaw.  Sometimes I break the starter cord, and, sometimes when replacing the cord, the spring unwinds.  What is the trick to rewinding the spring - I can't seem to get the hang of it.

Thank you!

Answer
Hello Bert:

The Following is a Chainsaw Recoil Starter Repair Instruction File. Any Input/Suggestions are Appreciated. Remove the Starter Housing/Engine Cover from the Saw. Remove the Center Screw (or the Outer Pulley Retainers) from the Pulley. Carefully Remove the Pulley from the Starter Housing/Engine Cover. Remove the Broken Spring and Remove the Starter Rope from the Pulley. The New Spring Comes with a Retainer Band Set the Spring into the Housing and Make Sure the Spring Catch is in/Around the Starter Spring Anchor. If you Removed the Spring from the Retainer, then Use a Piece of Plastic Pipe About 2" Long that is Slightly Smaller than the Recess that the Spring Coils Into. 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. 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