Recoil Starter Rope Replacement for Honda & Other Small Engines

Joel at Earth Tools walks through the replacement of a recoil starter rope on a Honda engine. This procedure works on most small engines. NOTE: If the starter you are working on does not have the "slots" in the housing or pulley to stick a screwdriver through to "lock" the pulley in place, you can usually stick a flat-tip screwdriver in-between the outer edge of the pulley and the inside of the recoil housing, to "wedge" the pulley in place. (might have to bop the screwdriver a bit to wedge it down in there good, so it doesn't slip out)
Learn more at www.earthtools.com
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:43 Procedure Start
03:02 If Your Rope Has Broken
05:10 Replacing Broken Handle
05:30 Replacing Rope
07:45 Troubleshooting

[@lanceleavitt7472]

Six-years later, your information is still perfect. --- Thanks for the great upload. ---

[@tomchang1647]

Excellent explanation for those of us that aren't necessarily gear-heads but like learning how to fix engines.

[@fixedfocus1]

Thanks Man!!!! So grateful for this video. You just saved me a ton. Sleep well knowing you've made the world a better place for someone else!

[@dlaguitarstudy2]

Spot on! Thanks for posting and for also mentioning importance of not over winding the spring.

[@davidreimers2736]

Thanks for a great video. The tip about fusing the ends is definitely worthwhile - the end slipped straight through the outlet holes on my first try.

[@SiteReader]

Thanks, that was a great help. My cord broke right at the far end where it meets the recoiler. With a lot of trial and error, I was able to get it back on myself. But I had wound the spring too little. Your trick for the hanging tongue worked perfectly to tighten it up without removing it all again. On the Briggs & Stratton engine that came on my 28-inch Snapper rear engine rider, there was a notch in the winding pulley that made tightening up the rope by your method very easy. For now it's working, but I'll replace the whole rope after the Memorial Day weekend is over.

[@donelkins5476]

Thank you very much for posting this video...you have helped several people out in tough situations...I'm a Firefighter and had to fix a trash pump quick...you saved the day Sir...God Bless

[@mazinger101z]

After getting hit by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, we have been without power for more than a month. You saved my life bro 👍

[@joseyhernandez1455]

Jimmy Lo is kk

[@joseyhernandez1455]

You like

[@smartcleaningservices7450]

Thank you for this. My recoil is now working properly so the machine starts first time as I was having problems getting my machine started 👍🏻

[@WizardPaul]

Thanks mate. This was a huge help and your instructions were spot on. Many thanks from Down Under!! Cheers!

[@JamieRoxx]

Worked like a charm, started up on the first pull. Thank you so much for the video

[@ChrisBrown-jw2en]

On the job, pull start came apart, but back together swiftly thanks to your video. You just saved me aggravation. Thank you very much

[@LocustLeafFarm]

Thank you! I am not at all mechanical, but I followed your directions and it started on the first pull.

[@markprescott2011]

Thanks Joel!!! My starter rope broke today after a year of use. Thank you for showing how to correct. By the way, the 749 you sold me is still working like a champ!!!(except for the starter rope, which now I can fix)

[@jonnymacmur]

A huge thanks for the video. Brilliantly explained step by step. Thanks again from Ireland.

[@rodneys0909]

Thank you mate! Figured it would be easy, having it explained and shown was appreciated.

[@sounderdavis5446]

Thanks, Joel! After watching another video, I couldn't get the new piece of rope to go through the second hole. The trick I was missing, until I watched your video, was using a little fire to melt the end of the rope. Then it went right through. It also helped to trim the end of the cord into a point just before heating it.

[@sueh9971]

Thanks. Your tutorial was easy to follow. I now have a functioning pulley.

[@crimson90]

Yo, this video is amazing! On the job and broke my pull cord. Not only did these easily teach me how to replace the pull cord, but I've now also fixed the slack cord hanging out. With this video and an excellent local equipment store selling me the length of cord I needed for only $1.60, I was up and running again in an hour. A+ video! 👍

[@ZenSPIKE1]

I have viewed many video's on how to address this very issue. This was the most concise and easy to understand one I've seen. Bravo, good job Joel. I was even able to accomplish this task thanks to your easy to understand tutorial.

[@Flowersstomper]

Thank you so much! After mine broke I called all around and everyone was booked 3-6 weeks out to fix mine. I watched your video and did it myself for $5. THANK YOU! You saved me a lot of time and money.

[@TC10394]

Great job on explaining. I needed to replace the handle only. I had bought a new handle that comes with the rope but was going re-use the old rope. Guess I switch out the old rope too since it's easy to install from watching your video. Thank you so much.

[@simoore4674]

Your a Legend for making this video- i just repaired my honda jetwash thanks to your video! Many thanks from team Ultra Pure Clean in the Uk!

[@frankpirrone6032]

Best instructional video I have seen on this topic!

[@krystlecha]

Thank you for this video! Went to start the generator today and saw the starter rope was cut. This saved me time and $$$!

[@prestoc3034]

Just like my dad taught me. Right on! Great job on the vid btw

[@bgriffin4478]

I have the exact pull start. Worked out great! Thank You Sir!

[@angelmaldonado5033]

Exactly the kind of video needed to help thanks just fixed my starter on gx390

[@garethkerlin]

Thanks for posting this! I had taken mine apart without setting the screwdriver to keep the tension. Freaked out about but this video was awesome. Everything I needed to know! Thanks

[@lxiong1077]

Appreciate the video and the tip for preloading the spring. Thanks!

[@billonken6773]

Thanks Excellent video. Just replaced my broken rope after video. Saved me going to mechanic. 😀

[@matthiasschabel9708]

Thanks - this was just what I was looking for!

[@estherprentice9585]

Great video!!! Short intro., great demonstration, and explanation

[@denzle778]

Perfectly explained, thank you for posting

[@user-de6vk4hl7m]

Thank you so much for this video…. I was on a job this morning and the troll machine string snapped when I tried to crank it….this was a life saver

[@micagroupltd]

Awesome video, helped me to replace cord and set tension saving money 👍

[@jackhayes1051]

your video is the best one, thanks for the clear instruction,

[@dougsellner9353]

Thanks! - I was going to purchase a new one cos mine was so old - your instructions saved me mucho! - Thanks.

[@TheTranq]

Short and to the point and worked. Thanks

[@customcutter100]

Great video! I picked up an old abused 830 BCS last year and got a used Honda 390gx today to replace the engine. The "tongue" is hanging out about 3 feet on the recoil, but it starts easily. Now I can fix it when I do the engine swap tomorrow.

[@cronicproductions8392]

Thanks for making this so EASY!!

[@pastorlugo121]

Outstanding video. Just the lesson I needed to do mine.

[@greggburns2567]

Fantastic. Thanks for great video and perfect fix.

[@armidaleconcrete]

thank you, saved me heaps of time and money.Good video, easy to follow.

[@JogvanJespersenPGA]

Great vid. Help out my old mother fixing her lawnmower. So instead of spending $300 on a new mower or $30 on a new OEM part, it just took $3 and a few hours sourcing string, disassembling and assembling. Payoff personal male pride and one happy mother :D

[@MicroKommander]

beautiful demonstration. Thanks

[@elza4808]

Thanks. This video helped me today.I LIVE IN MARTINIQUE

[@sharongivens3128]

Great video, worked perfectly, thanks for the share

[@carlchilders9538]

Thank you for this video. The hardest part for me was getting that rope through the narrow holes. The rest was easy.

[@CharlesCieri]

I watched another video first and didn’t get it right. Thanks for your video, much appreciated.

[@agastyamon3008]

Thanks for the information on how to replace the recoil starter roup for Honda GP 160, Namibia 🇳🇦

[@thePronto]

Outstanding - just what I needed.

[@garyboston4921]

How to replace a string cord on craftsman weed eater

[@BeauHarm]

Helped us out a heap, thanks for the video mate.

[@Polyhive]

Many thanks, after watching this it took me ten minutes to replace mine. Three of which were spent looking for the right socket which of course was already on the ratchet handle...LOL

[@willbee6591]

Excellent; and good tips too. Thank you!

[@paullupo8921]

Thank you, spot on video! God Bless!

[@enoz.j3506]

Best Video on this fix,Thank you.

[@phoenixhwang5696]

Thank you . Best explanation video on this subject on you tube . Thank you Mile high Salute ... Great explanation o

[@Mbillyhaus]

Most informative I’ve seen.

[@jameschimino8757]

Thanks. This video helped me today.

[@joaquinaguirre2976]

Thanks man you were great! It help a lot.

[@bhallappleton]

needed a quick reminder, and this helped. Thanks

[@ericwilliams952]

Nice info ! Thank you as that is what I needed

[@md9462]

Thanks for the video. Its a big help

[@weridebikes1000]

Ironically I broke mine yesterday, just in time! Thanks!

[@jackblack282]

Off grid storm weather of course the rope breaks - you saved my ass thanks alot

[@philliphall5198]

Thank You for information and advice

[@5murphy7]

Thanks! Saved me some $. Mower is fixed!

[@mattnolan3420]

Worked great today!

[@tlsa922]

AWESOME VIDEO...THANK YOU👍

[@XStyleFitness]

Excellent video.

[@Destiles]

Thanks so much was really helpful❤

[@mariastrickland6472]

Thanks so easy to understand 👍👍

[@fenceman95]

Thanks, great instructions.

[@stoner2439]

Thank you so much for the information.

[@robertlogan3421]

Awesome video. Thanks man

[@stevenmchenry9276]

Thanks for the video.

[@karlreinecke7076]

Just what I was looking for. Saved me much time and trouble. BTW that is not a square knot.

[@frankpirrone6032]

Nice work!

[@jjakie07]

Thank you for the help!!

[@stevecotter6068]

Thanks...worked great!!!!!

[@WmsYTpage]

Super helpful and concise, without being sold a 14-day complete course on how to make a six-figure side income with a pull start replacement business!! 🤯 😂

[@ricardoarzac3939]

Super ! thanks for the tutorial !!

[@milanogolfer]

Very helpful!! Thanks

[@alexisurbina7155]

Very useful video’ thxs buddy.

[@danteruizpecchio5588]

Muchas gracias. Muy bueno 👌. No se Inglés pero con lo visto fue suficiente

[@rickdickson8376]

Great help for me Rick

[@MikeNaples]

Thumbs up. As always you guys make it look easy, no wonder all kinds of hot women are calling and paging you while you're trying to help the public repair small engines.

[@drummer360]

Thanks, for the help and I was able to get my Christmas tree baler up and running again. My only complaint falls on the Honda GX engine only having three screws to attach the pull cord housing to the actual engine. There are no other holes drilled in the engine for the remaining three holes on the recoil assembly. If one loses one of the three screws in the snow, there are only two screws left holding it to the flywheel, which causes some skipping. Also, Honda, dropped the ball again on way too many thin metal vent cuts as one of mine already broke through into the next vent. I suspect all of this is due to cost cutting, when these huge corporations are already corporate America monopolizing money factories.

[@bobbydhal2199]

Awesome video

[@markschue383]

Thank you. Simple once ya know how!

[@josephmigliaccio5341]

well done, thank you.👍

[@urbansurvivor2391]

Great info. Thanks

[@bellyfiore1]

Thank you Sir,that fixed it.

[@RussellCambell]

Just saved me about 200 bucks thanks

[@jorgecerna6765]

Great, thanks man.

[@TheFunnyShowShow]

And you get an"A" for teaching an old gut like me. Thanks

[@imnew2nm324]

Nice video.

[@IsmaelHernandez-Bolas]

Slide the screwdriver through the other side and then you could keep it in place on the table with its own weight. Just a thought. Still a great video sir. ❤

[@Sokeks]

Thank for the info.