Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): B&S Quantum Pull Cord tight, vise grip pliers, rope thread

Question
Dear Michael--

Even when spark plug is removed it's tough to pull.  Nothing was stuck last time. I can turn the blade by hand just fine.  any other ideas?  there's a 2 week wait to get the mower looked at locally. :( shoot.

-gretchen
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Followup To
Question -
Dear Michael-
I have a 2 yr old Briggs mower, 6.5 HP?  Last week it was leaking gas all over the place but started fine and i mowed the front. i killed it to get it over some stones i have on the way to the backyard.  i pulled and pulled and it wouldn't start.
This week i changed the spark plug, checked the oil (fine) and now the pull cord is pulling really really hard.
and of course it won't start.  i am at the end of my rope. the safety lever is fine, i've got gas in the thing. i even cleaned inside the spark plug hole to get a lot of black residue off.
please help if you have any ideas. i'd be grateful.
sincerely,
gretchen
Answer -
Hi Gretchen,

If the engine is suddenly hard to pull and seems to kick or pull back when pulling on the recoil rope but pulls fine when the spark plug is removed, then I would suspect a sheared flywheel key.  Was an object, like a stone or stump struck during its last mowing?  Or is the blade loose?

Let me know what you find.
Michael  

Answer
Hi Gretchen,

If the engine rotates fine and only the recoil doesn't pull, then there is most likely a problem with the recoil.
Remove the recoil shroud and take a look at the assembly.
You might luck out and just have a rope that has slipped out of the reel or is jammed.  
Below, is my proceedure for replacing a broken recoil rope.

You will need to remove the entire cooling shroud. There should be 4 bolts
on the sides. You might need to remove the fuel tank also.
Pre-wind the recoil reel by hand [about 6 turns, to set the spring tension] and clamp it with Vise-Grip pliers. Remove the old rope. Thread the new rope through the shroud housing eyelet and to the reel hub. Let the reel re-wind itself until it is full. If there is not enough spring
tension you can wind it a couple of turns more by slipping the rope around between the reel and shroud. Re-clamp the reel. Cut the rope to length and thread it though the handle. At all knots, burn and melt the rope with a
lighter to prevent untying. Re-assemble.

Also, If you still have the no-start problem after this, we'll look at that.  

Let me know how you make out.
Michael