Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Chains Saw Pully?, recoil spring, slip knot

Question

Hey,
My Craftsman Special Editions (40cc or 42cc) rope won't pull in all the way. I will pull it and most of it will go in but there's a few inches of rope that won't return, and that effects the whole engine to not start, and I really need my chainsaw to start up quick before I get 3 feet of snow.

I unscrewed the rope housing and unscrewed the rope pully from the housing and I saw a metal coil, I took it out and it turned into a 6ft long piece of metal! haha

Its been a bitch trying to recoil it so I was wondering if there was some way I could get a new one from sears or somewhere.

(Whats the name of the metal coil?)

Thanks,
Riley

Answer
Hello Riley:

That is the Recoil Spring. Measure the Area where the Spring was Located. Using a Piece of Pipe that the Inside Diameter is Jus Smaller that the Recoil Seat Area and Wind the Spring Inside the Pipe. Now Set the Pipe and Spring Into the Housing. Make Sure the Spring Catch Locks into the Housing. Hold the Spring in Place and Pull the Pipe Out of the Housing. Now, that the Spring is Back in Place,  Remove the Old Rope from the Recoil Pulley. 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. If the Hole for the Rope is Facing the Inside of the Housing, then there should be a U in the Pulley that the Rope Fit Into so the Pulley can be Truned and Tighten the Recoil Spring. Go to this Site Addy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers in the Upper Left Search Box and Click Go. Then Visually Verify the Equipment and Click Continue. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. 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. Thanks.

Respectfully

John