mower repair studs and studettes

[ulysses]

The last time I started my mower (craftsman 6.5 hp) in the fall, the pullcord wouldn't retract. I'm not sure what mechanism it is that reels it back in, but I'd very much like to fix it myself if I can. Any ideas?

[mstrsplinter326]

1. maybe the fan on top needs greased, cleaned or replaced.

My lawnmowers generally attach the reeling mechanism to fan on top. Rust or dirt could stop that entirely.

[ulysses]

5. I'll take a look at that.

Thanks.

[GOPisEvil]

2. I'm not positive...but I bet you can take that part off...

I took small engine repair WAY back in 8th grade, so forgive me it I'm a little rusty. But, I think you can take that piece off and either replace it or try a repair.

[ulysses]

3. I just want to avoid

messing around with the gas tank, which *looks* like it's molded to the same top part. I'm not sure though.

[GOPisEvil]

6. Ahh...yikes!

I assume you've tried the "pull it further to see if it releases" trick. I hope it's just a peice of something that got jammed in there and can be dislodged.

[ulysses]

9. just did again.

No dice.

It'd be nice to have been born handy. I've gotten better with things made of wood out of necessity with the stupid house, but engine stuff, not so much...

[dweller]

11. it's not i'm pretty sure

just went to take a look at mine (not a craftsman) and it looks like it is too. But once you've unbolted the cover it lifts off and in the top is where the pull mechanism sits. It unbolts too, comes out. You'll have to pick out the knot in the cord at the handle to get it through the hole it exits, etc.

I bet you can handle it,

dp

[ulysses]

13. ok, cool

but if I immolate myself, I'm haunting you. :D

[dweller]

14. NO SMOKING!

you could empty the gas first if it worries you.
tip the mower over to drain the gas in a pan, etc and bottle it back up. If you haven't used it since last fall, it's old gas and you want to use fresh anyway.

did i say NO SMOKING loud enuff?

:)
dp

[dweller]

4. very replaceable/repairable

do you have a handbook?
Sears will have the info online sometimes to download, or any reputable online 'fix it' site will give you a generic rundown.

Took care of mine last summer (?maybe 2 summers ago)...

most are spring wound coil units. Yours has probably jumped out of synch. May could re-engage it, or just replace with a new. I would suspect it's under $20, even for craftsman.

good luck,
dp

edit: you could post a ? here:
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/lmower/nph-ind.cgi?n=100

and hopefully find a well worded answer.

[ulysses]

7. just found the manual

Of course, the troubleshooting guide is no help. :eyes: Looking at the blowup diagram now.

Thanks -

[dweller]

10. troubleshooting quide

probably wouldn't cover that, it's pretty evident the mechanism is out of synch/broke

Take a trip to sears or garden shop, and look at the replacements for the pull cord. The part (s) you need are most likely there.

dp

[ulysses]

12. trying gardenweb...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. Do what Dweller says...he can take anything apart and put it

back together again...I have witnessed his mechanical saavy from afar! :D

[dweller]

19. thanks NSMA !

if only i hadn't wasted all that time/$$ on a higher education...i may have made a killing in the fixit business.

:)

dp

[bambo53]

8. That's a fairly common lament

Just unbolt or unscrew the cover and take it to a dealer or small engine shop and have it replaced, it's fairly cheap. $10?

[TrogL]

15. PULL THE SPARKPLUG!!!

before you do anything else

[dweller]

18. clean/regap too n/t

:)

dp

[dweller]

17. heading out for chores

report back when you've taken care of it...also just thought of one more detail.

some mowers are accessible from the top (w/out removing cover) See if the grill snaps off the top exposing the pull cord mechanism, bolts to remove it, etc. Could be easier than previously described. Mines an older model, yours may be newer, designed differently, etc.

anyways, good luck
dp

[ulysses]

21. thoroughly aggravating little adventure

Off to Sears...where they don't stock parts except blades...off in another direction (Stone Mountain, waved to CatWoman's house) to their parts and supply outlet...where they don't carry it either...much hassle and many comments of the "gee, they don't seem to make that model any more" and "we try to stock the most popular models" kinds ensue, even though the damned thing is only two years old.

I should be getting the parts in the mail end of next week, if I'm lucky. :mad:

Anyhow, thanks. I took off the top little cap thing before I left, but the business ends of the bolts that hold the cord assembly to the engine are on the underside of the whole thing, so I may be pming you in 5-7 business days, depending.

[dweller]

22. sears sounds disappointing

check with local home improvement stores, we have home depot and lowes here. They have fairly large home and garden sections. If you take the time to match up the #'s of your model and the replacements they offer (usually listed on the packaging as to what it will replace, etc) you'll may likely find it.

anyway, let me know how it goes.
dp

[BiggJawn]

20. retraction spring in the recoil pulley has broken.

Pulled the cord and now you've got 2 feet of string hanging out....There is a spring that has both ends notched. One end hooks into the pulley that holds the cord and the other end hooks into a slot in the fan shroud. I think you may have broken one of the ends off the spring.

Now, I don't think they're all that expensive, but back when I had more time than money (otherwise known as "The REAGAN Era") I would heat up the broken end of the spring to anneal it, grind new notches, then re-heat it red-hot and quench it in oil to re-temper.

good luck.