Briggs Recoil (pull) starter repair

My wood splitter has a Briggs gas engine, when I pull it and it starts I get a screech sound from the pull rope area. It did it a few different times after it started on other occasions. Today it screeched more often and I noticed the pull rope would come out about 6 - 12 inches and snap back onto the spool. But then it was running good after the 4-5 screeches. Next I shut off the engine to fill the gas tank. When getting it restarted it screech and kept sending the rope in and out while the engine was running, then the rope became stuck about 4 inches hanging out.
It was wedged very tight.
I took the cover off containing the rope pulley and saw the roped doubled up in various areas of the housing cover and the spindle after quite some tugging etc I got the rope to pull out and then it rewound itself on the spool. It pulls and retracts freely.
Question: what is the cause for the high pitch metallic squeal sound that repeats?
Question what can I do to prevent the rope from locking and tangling in the housing between the spool and housing?

Is it a problem with the rope assembly or crankshaft area??
Does any part need grease?
I don't want to start it until I hear what my next step should be.

Thanks much for any assistance.

Joe

The screach is coming from the clutch assembly. You'll need to remove the re-coil starter to get at it. It's a < $15.00 part and probably stocked at your local lawnmower shop. Getting it off can be tricky. I usually insert one of the screws and bang very gently on the ear while preventing the shaft of the engine from turning. Inserting the screw prevents damaging the threads.

If you feel like being adventurous and the cover of the clutch is removeable. The shaft of the clutch will have to be vertical when the cover is removed. There will be a number, maybe 6, of about 1/4" diameter balls inside.

Remove the cover and remove the bearings and degrease and clean everything. Do not lubercate or grease. Re-assemble.

If you have to turn the engine on it's side, I'd suggest draining the oil and gas.

FWIW, there are engine diagrams at Briggs and Stratton Lawn Mower Engines - Small Engines & Outboard Motors - Briggs & Stratton (http://www.briggsandstratton.com) and you can order parts from there too.

I randomly picked a manual here:

Briggs & Stratton - IPL Form Number (http://shop.briggsandstratton.com/BShopProductPage.asp?CatalogID=56B2B9A7-283C-11D4-8886-00B0D0203414&MECID=100&SessionID=43C7B3A0-6A44-4EB2-B2CC-23B437198A68&CategoryID=&lrid=&ProductID=56B2BC61-283C-11D4-8886-00B0D0203414#)

Look at item 55 on page 3.

KeepItSimpleStupid I got the part and installed it, so I was able to split wood today thanks to you!

Joe

Yes I thought that it would have worked out o.k.