Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 2 cycle small engine on a scooter, lithium grease, starter rope

Question
The pull-starter rope pulls out but does not retract.  Took rope starter unit off, rope pulls out and retracts OK.  One way clutch attached to flywheel seems to be OK.

Is there a way of putting the rope/spring assembly that causes the one way clucth to be in a certain position?  What am I missing?

No year or model to tell you. Scooter is new, purchsed from AutoZone.

Answer
Glenn,

It sounds as if the cover housing the flyweel may not be shimmed correctly. Often, in these cases where the rope does not retract, the problem is pressure caused by the starting housing being too tight against the flywheel. You may try shimming the starting cover so that it is about 1/64 of an inch farther from the engagement point between the starter clutch and the flywheel.

Also, try using a good lithium grease on the engagement point as well.


If this does not do the trick, let me know as there are other things that we can try together.


Or, you can always just ask Eric as he seems to really know what to do.