My lawnmower has been outside for the winter. I tried to start it today and the pull cord
Pulled all the way out and won't go back in. Needless to say I can't get it started. I took off the outer cover, rewound it awquardly through the interior casing, shot it with WD40, but
It happened the next time I pulled it. Can you help?

Is it a briiggs? If so they have what is called a starter clutch, the starter clutch will gum to the shaft and is located on the flwheel. It needs to be lubricated with a penetrant through the small hole in the top.

If it is not a briggs send more info

Don

How old is it? And yes what brand engine...

Newaukumdom:

I'm aware that a LOT of Briggs & Stratton engines, as well as other brands, have starters on top of the fly wheel. There are some exceptions though.

I had starter cord problems on my Briggs & Stratton and my pull start is definitely NOT located on the flywheel. Mine is located on the side of the engine adjacent to the air cleaner and uses gears that engage in the bottom edge of the flywheel when I pull the cord. The starter ASSEMBLY is held in place by a single bolt on the engine block that engages a slot in the starter assembly's center shaft.

WARNING to annhmurry:

Don't take the cover off the pull coil recoil spring if you can AT ALL avoid it. It's a real pain in the neck getting the spring back in place. Find out how to take the whole pulley/spring/cover assembly off the engine in one piece.

Yep, there are other designs but after 30 years of working in the OPE industry you can tell what kind by the description of the failure. It is a common description of the failure associated with a starter clutch.

Don

I have a craftsman that's about 5 yr old that is doing the same thing. Any advice?