Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
After reading your answer to: Date:9/25/2004
Subject:pull cord replacement on lawnmower
Question
Can you tell me what steps are involved in replacing the pull cord on a Tecumseh 6.5 HP Yardworks lawnmower?
Or... is this a job I should leave to a professional.
Thanks!
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I took the pull cord housing off to repair it, but I find that I am unable to wind the pulley! There seems to be no spring tension there. The wheel spins freely in either direction without problem. Worked fine before the rope broke, so I'm puzzled about what/ how to proceed. Hope you can help.
Thanks,
Edward
ps. Inspected the Tecumseh page you refer to as well. My model(Sears Eager1 5.5HP,) looks similar but is plastic. Worried that to pull the pin (a straight. flat metal piece with a hook at the end. I pulled about 1 inch out) may mean I can't replace it.
Answer -
Sometimes the spring, or more often, the pulley breaks.
The web site is very accurate in the repair except the metal press pin has been replaced.
Do you have a plastic pin or a screw holding the pulley in place?
Are you turning the pulley counter clockwise? You should feel tension within about 5-6 turns. If no tension is felt the spring or pulley could be broke and you may have to dis-assemble the starter. BE CAREFUL!! those springs seem to fly out at you.
Have you priced a new or used starter at your local mower dealer? We sell a lot of used starter assemblys.
Does the spring appear to be "hooked" on the starter pulley? You can see the tip of the spring touching/grabbing the inner solid part of the starter pulley.
Let me know what you find.
Eric
Eric,
Aha, the pin is perpendicular to the spring, which is what I was describing. The pin was under the label cover. I found that the flat spring had come lose from the center so that the spring spins in place. I can't see how this could be replaced except at the factory, so I'll price a used part to replace it. Thank you for your guidance, I appreciate it.
Ed
AnswerYou can use another spring but we often find that the pulleys weaken with age and fail quickly after the spring goes bad.
We sell a lot of Tecumseh starters...it's faster, easier and generally cheaper in the long run to just replace the entire starter assembly.
Eric
