40 plus recoil starter.

[Heron Addict]

Hi

My recoil starter, on my late model 40 plus, seems to have packed up. The rope isn't recoiling into the housing anymore.

This is the item in question, just with the first plate removed which was secured with an e-clip.

Before I start meddling and risk springs flying everywhere, does anyone have any tips on dismantling and re-assembly procedure for one of these?

Thanks

[Keith.P]

I used to do recoil starters day in day out and used to replace the cord without removing the spring, it makes life easier.
Is the little wheel moving, has the cord gone hard.
To replace the cord, pull cord fully out, clamp or hold in place, pull out knot and cut, re-thread new cord, re-knot and release, tie knot at pull handle to suit, easy

[Horsley-Anarak]

I would guess the spring has come adrift or broken.

Put some goggle on and take it apart.

If the spring has a broken end it is possible to temper the spring steel and bend a new end.

Recoiling the spring can be a bit of a job, I find a second pair of hands helps.

H-A

[Heron Addict]

Hi Keith. The cord looks ok, but I will probably replace anyway, while I am at it. It is the recoil spring. I simply pulled the rope and it stayed out and didn't spring back at all. I can wind the rope back in manually by rotating the disc in the centre, but not sure how to disassemble to get at the spring. I didn't hear anything break when I pulled so I am hoping it has simply disengaged somehow?

[Heron Addict]

Thanks HA I was fearing that it might be a bit of a battle. I think the goggles are a good tip! I have taken part of the mechanism apart and the baseplate inside will not clear the rivets which protrude through the sides of the cover. I can't see a way of clearing those without removing the rivets or grinding the ends off?

[Keith.P]

It sounds like the spring has sprung.
Cut the cord and pull it apart, you will have to pull the spring out to fix it.
I have one an add on one in the shed, I have no use for them, as useful as a chocolate fireguard.

[Oyster 49]

I have one of the ones that fit on the tubular frame. Horrible things! The recoil unit mounts differently, but I wonder if the innards are the same? Could that provide a replacement spring?

[Heron Addict]

I have managed to get the thing apart and the recoil spring has indeed broken. A couple of inches from the centre of the spiral.

Here is a photo of the spring showing the broken bit.

I will try HA's suggestion of tempering and bending a new end, but if anyone knows where I can source a replacement I would be very grateful.

[Keith.P]

Should be a easy fix, You may not have the pull you once had, but that's life.

[Heron Addict]

Keith. I thought I still had plenty of pull left.... but after wrestling with that damn spring for ages I now have my doubts.

Making a new hook on the end of the spring was easy enough, so thanks for that tip. For the life of me I cannot seem to get the thing back into the housing though. Maybe there is some sort of technique, or maybe I am just lacking in the skills! I have tried a few techniques. Fitting the hook onto the housing then onto the rotating disk and winding the spring up, then fitting the disk over the shaft and winding some more. I have also tried coiling the spring up as tight as I can while on the rotating disk bit, then tried to offer it up to the housing blind side down. Thing is, I have to release at some point and I always seem to end up with the spring throwing a coil, which ends up with the disk not locating deep enough in the housing to fit the rest of the assembly and e-clip.

If this was an add on recoil unit I would simply leave it off and buy a nice new cord. But as this model came with it factory fitted, the flywheel looks a bit odd without, sort of unfinished.

I have given up for now ... defeated...I will try again tomorrow, with fresh enthusiasm. If anyone has a technique they want to share I would be very, very, grateful!!