Easily Fix Your Pull Start Recoil Spring for Small Engine

Has your spring sprung? Is your rope stuck? The spring has come loose inside the housing. Check out my video tutorial on how to fix this very common problem. In this video, i'll show every detail on how to put this nuisance back together. This will work for chain saw, lawn mower, weed wacker, blower, etc...

[@allseriousness]

Don’t do this around your kids or wife if you don’t want them to know what kind of person you are when you’re angry

[@JLPicard440]

It does take a little patience...😂

[@raul2839]

Indeed!

[@elmiewho29]

🤣🤣

[@jenningswest79]

Welding with times are hard and with inflation not everybody's got money to go buy out brand new stuff great video because it actually help me help the neighbor😊❤

[@Notooshabyy]

I tried to tension it by holding it with my hand. Needless to say I threw everything on the floor and walked to my truck and went home. This thing completely got the better of me 😔

[@IRLFlightSim]

My hands are bleeding from trying to fix this damn spring all day yesterday. Thank you.

[@JLPicard440]

Oh no!! That's never a good sign... You're welcome, glad I was able to help...

[@Storm-ov3yq]

Same bro

[@guerosolis5794]

My string broke, I couldn't get it in, so I took it apart and BAM!! spring popped out. Thanks to your video, after 4 tries, I was able to reinstall it.

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! So glad I could help.. 😀

[@ovajoyd]

Excellent advice. Thanks very much. This is by far the easiest method I have seen for the ordinary handyman without specialised spring-winding equipment. And, I've got to say, thank heavens for zip ties and cordless drills.

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! You're welcome and thank you for the great feedback. Cordless drill and zip ties are great. The A-Team would have loved to have some of those back in the 80s.. 😂

[@Nzodabkr53]

you saved me today. watched your video after an hour of struggle. 5 minutes later it was fixed. thank you!

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! So glad I could help.. You're welcome.. 😀

[@bobbazoid909]

You have no idea how much this video means to me. Thanks

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! TYSM... 😀

[@briandavis2833]

Thank you, definitely worked. Prior to your advice, I tried all sorts of uneducated attempts and yours worked first time. Great thinking skills !!!😊

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! Glad I was able to help...😀

[@peterbaade9546]

Thanks so much for explaining this process - after spending a couple of frustrating hours yesterday struggling with the spring, I was successfully able to get my whippersnipper working again this morning. Definitely takes perseverance, and I went through a few zip ties, but very worth while. Thanks for sharing the idea.

[@JLPicard440]

You're very welcome!

[@eldonjanzen9822]

I was thinking to buy a new lawy mower because the retract cord malfunctioned, but after watching your presentation I'm going to give it a go and try repairing the spring loaded cord system. Thanks a lot for posting this repair instructions.

[@JLPicard440]

Sweet! Thanks for your feedback and you're welcome..

[@bumblebug71]

Thank you so much. I was at wits end because I didn't have the strength to wind and hold it. When I saw you used a drill that was exactly what I needed. I watched many other videos and yours was just excellent. Thanks again

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome!.. Thanks for the Great comment and You're welcome.. :-)

[@LuisRojas-oi5li]

Thank You SOOO much for this video; I was struggling and almost gave up . . . I got the trimmer back running again!!!

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! So glad you got it running... 😊

[@kbjerke]

You just helped me replace the recoil spring on my Troy Bilt cultivator/edger. *THANK YOU!!!*

[@JLPicard440]

That's excellent! You're welcome, glad I could help.. 😀

[@juliejones1526]

I'm a novice at small engine repairs, but with videos like yours, I've finely figured out how to successfully repair my recoil spring and rope on my 24 yo Tecumseh tiller. I've spent 2 weeks trying to figure out which direction to install the spring, how to keep the spring inside while rewinding it. With your video I realized I didn't need the rope installed until after the spring was working (many hours trying to wrap the spring and rope at the same time). Weird your video didn't show up when I googled this topic, but after about 40 videos, I'm done! So glad, so so glad. Thank you!!

[@JLPicard440]

HI Julie! Thank you for sharing your experience. I really appreciate it and I am so glad I could help... 😊

[@Schaufelkuenstler]

I was totally frustrated already and had given up and searched a new one when I found this video. Thank you very much for sharing this great method. You saved my day.

[@JLPicard440]

Glad I could help! Thanks for the feedback... 😊

[@allannordike163]

Thanks for the video Broody, after my spring to the chainsaw unraveled a few times I finally figured it out, we have a running chainsaw again! Much appreciated.

[@JLPicard440]

Good stuff... Glad you got it going again,.

[@Snakecat_Rex]

I just want to thank you. Thank you so much for saving me and sharing this. This would’ve likely ended up either with me being injured or short of eyesight. Thanks for sharing this

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome! So glad I could help... 😊

[@DavidRamos-fl6dk]

Thank you 🙏 I spent 4 1/2 hours doing this yesterday by hand and I still couldn’t get it I’m looking forward to Saturday I’m doing it your way 😉

[@JLPicard440]

These can be a pain in the neck!.. I recommend wearing gloves.. the spring can still come loose and wreak havoc with your fingers!

[@DavidRamos-fl6dk]

Take a Bath Productions thanks I will put the glasses on 👌

[@sameubanks7349]

This was really helpful. It really works well. I can add two more recommendations after fighting through this. Trace an outline of the housing on the board so that you know you have the spring tight enouh and use a paint scraper to hold the coils down when tightening with the drill. I also recommend to check the shape of the spring where the drill held it. I hsd to reshape a bit before reinstalling.

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! Thanks for the recommendations... 😀

[@GarnerWhiteVideo]

Tried other methods multiple times. Never worked . Hurt my hands etc. THIS method worked first try. Thanks so much.

[@JLPicard440]

So excellent! You're welcome...😊

[@jamesrichardson771]

Good job my friend ! You actually made it look pretty easy, without a pain in the neck ( witch I always have ) 😬 thanks for sharing your skills with us who are' interested !

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome and thank you!🙂

[@suttonallen1]

Thanks man, this was the only thing that worked for my trimmer because it doesn't have a back plate to use for winding the spring and the spring just drops into the housing. Great idea!

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! Glad I could help.. 🙂

[@bigtexas7580]

*You're very good doing this repair, thanks for the awesome vid. I tried this on my 1973 stihl 015 recoil spring and my dewalt 20v drill broke the spring While winding it so I have another new spring on the way and will watch your vid this time while I'm in the process. Hopefully I can keep the new spring together and safely get it into the housing.*

[@JLPicard440]

Sorry for the late response, your comment was lost in the mix.. Hopefully you got it working by now! Thanks for the comment.. 😊

[@bigtexas7580]

@@JLPicard440 *Yessir, the new spring came in and I held it for dear life between my thumb and index finger from the package to the housing and all went well. The metal shipping cup the spring is shipped in fooled me the 1st time, I wasn't aware that the spring wants to jump out of the metal cup so badly and requires you to keep downward pressure on it at all times after it's been removed from the package.*

[@JLPicard440]

@@bigtexas7580 Sounds like some kind of surgery!.... 😂

[@slayer101100]

I wound mine by hand and got it back together. Although this isn’t the same trimmer I have it gave me a better understanding to what I was doing wrong. Thanks for your video

[@JLPicard440]

Great to hear! (not about wounding your hand).. Your'e welcome.. 🙂

[@naesokceic5524]

Thanks me for teaching me a nifty little trick! Fortunately, my company has an account at multiple lawn equipment companies and I have the go ahead to just go and get the parts as need. Just buy a new spring. Save yourself a hassle. I’m totally for this method in a pinch though. Great video!

[@JLPicard440]

I agree if you're a technician! Absolutely... but on a Sunday afternoon or an evening when you just want to get back up and running... this works great.. 😀

[@kennethnichols7263]

Thanks so much for the video. Great idea!I had a couple of problems. I couldn’t get the chuck to let go at one point so I cut a slot in some threaded rod and chucked it up in the drill. I also had a notch for the outer part of the spring to go into which I couldn’t get it into with the tie wrap on the outside of the spring. So after the spring was captured by the outer tie wrap I added three small tie wraps would around the other way. I then cut the larger outside tie wrap , removed it, exposing the hook on the end of the spring. I could then put the spring in and put the end in the slot. I then cut the three smaller tie wraps. J

[@JLPicard440]

Very cool! You sound like a problem solver... :-)

[@Patriot-bn9om]

Excellent. Thank you sir. I have struggled with that spring all day. Now I know how deal with it using my drill.

[@JLPicard440]

Sweet! I hope you get it going... :-) Thanks for the great feedback and you're welcome..

[@dwayneharris3874]

Thanks for the tutorial. I was able to get the spring back in the cheapo weed wacker I was working on. One suggestion for anyone watching: The spring may get distorted and not lay flat. This is easily fixed so it doesn't cause a problem.

[@JLPicard440]

Glad I was able to help... !.. 😀

[@wendyvasion4828]

Thank you a million for sharing your brilliant solution to this frustrating recoil spring problem!!!

[@JLPicard440]

Yes, it is a pain in the neck! ... :-)

[@HalvardSkurve]

Thank you so much. I had to make some modifications. The chuck bent the middle of the spring. I therefore used a hollow metal tube from the stand of a solar flowerbed LED light, to wind the spring around. I just had to cut a slit in the end, to be able to attach the spring to the metal tube. Also I inverted the zip tie, since I don't have any space for the zip-tie knob around the spring inside the housing. This mad the knob on on the zip tie point inwards, next to the hook on the spring, where there was some free space. I had to try a few times before making it into the extremely tiny groove in the housing. The important thing is to make the zip tie small enough to fit easy all the way down into the housing, and keeping the zip tie completely at the bottom of the housing at all times, while attaching the outer spring-hook to the housing. Saved the day :)

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome.. thanks for the great tips you've given.. Glad you got it going again.. 🙂

[@joshblack1406]

Wow, thanks alot. Hopefully I can get my rewind spring in my auger now. Gave up on it yesterday trying to wind it by hand. Never thought of the drill

[@JLPicard440]

The good news is, this process will hone your patience skills!

[@tidefan4987]

Good vid. My tip: after you get the spring in the spool, the spool back in the head, use a wood working clamp to hold in place after winding. This makes it easy to install the rope.

[@JLPicard440]

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that next time.. 😊

[@attheendoftheday8969]

Thanks for the vid! I figured there was something I wasn't doing right. After 20 minutes of winding it by hand and carefully placing it into position only to have it pop out like a Jack in The Box, I huffed and puffed and came here. You're vid saved a life

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! Yes, I've had the jack in the box experience..😂

[@attheendoftheday8969]

My apologies when I said "You're vid" lol. I just now noticed. I'm about to assemble the coil here shortly though, but first I need to get some zip ties!

[@anilbaksh9962]

Thank you. This method works. It takes a few trys and once the recoilspring is back in place you will be thankful you did not have to coil back the spring by hand.

[@JLPicard440]

Yes, those can be a pain in the neck! Glad the video helped.

[@kevinleee3408]

I like your video you included some of the times where the spring popped out and tried to escape on you but you kept it short enough that I could watch it quick and move on to the repair I like your idea of the cutting board with a screw I'm going to try that

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! Thank you... 😀

[@soundwave802002]

I like how he edited the hardest parts. Like cutting the zip ties.

[@JLPicard440]

Thanks!

[@theVOICE0f1]

Sir, thank you so much for your video! I worked at this for three days!!!!! I had been using zip ties from dollar tree and they did not work ! Went to lowes got high quality ties and bam there it is mission accomplished! Thank you happy year🎊🎊🎊

[@JLPicard440]

Fantastic! Glad you got it going. I've found that harbor freight wire ties are pretty good if you get the black ones. I haven't tried dollar tree ones, but I can imagine they're not very good..

[@jasonsargent6847]

Thanks heaps mate I was losing my mind this was a big help

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! You're welcome...

[@MDR-hn2yz]

Great video. I hate dealing with these springs!!!

[@JLPicard440]

Sweet! You're welcome... 🙂

[@jonthelamb4549]

Thank you this is gonna help so much

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome..:-)

[@nelsonreparaciones3367]

Nice video thanks for sharing. greetings from Argentina

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome... I used to fly and I was the first student of my flight instructor when he moved to USA.. 😊. He was from Argentina..

[@user-jn4wn1ut4h]

Tried this myself, and it worked beautifully!

[@JLPicard440]

Great to hear!

[@bula6716]

awesome. i have thrown away many start coils in the past before youtube. now i can save and repair them. thank you.

[@JLPicard440]

Glad to help. You're welcome..

[@YesImhymn]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.

[@JLPicard440]

You're very welcome!

[@phillipsmith1847]

Rudy, you are alright! Thanks! And I did take a bath this morning. First time in a week, but hey, it wasn't even Saturday night!

[@JLPicard440]

LOL.. the bath I'm referring to is a different kind of bath! Not one with water.

[@phillipsmith1847]

@@JLPicard440 I get it! I'm as sharp as a bowling ball.

[@JLPicard440]

@@phillipsmith1847 Lol... I've never been accused of being the sharpest tool in the shed, so don't feel bad.. 😂

[@bc-guy852]

This was very helpful. I KNEW there had to be a simple solution - thank you - thanks KZbin.

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! Glad I could help...

[@user-in2fy8gb9x]

Danke für diesen einfachen hilfreichen und erfolgreichen Kabelbinder Akkuschrauber Nagel Trick, konnte in 5 min meine herausgesprungene Feder einsetzen ohne mir die Finger zu verletzen ohne wütend alles in die Ecke zu werfen und das wichtigste die Maschine läuft wieder Thank you

[@JLPicard440]

Das ist großartig! Ich bin so froh, dass ich helfen konnte... 😀

[@beunkanaal6282]

Thank you so much for uploading this video! It worked like a charm.

[@JLPicard440]

Great to hear! You're welcome... 😊😊

[@vatermann3]

I was fighting my pull start spring for about an hour before I looked up this video. Worked like a charm. Thanks.

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! You're welcome..

[@mrdavidurquhart]

I have to say I enjoy videos more when things don't go perfect the first time. It's more educational and maybe even a little entertaining! Looking forward to more videos!!

[@JLPicard440]

Thanks for your insight! I'll keep it in mind to include more bloopers in the future.. 😀. Things don't always have to go perfectly smooth.. 😂.

[@davidcantey5306]

Thanks.! That saved me a lot of time and agravation.

[@JLPicard440]

Great to hear! You're welcome..

[@patrickzadd5215]

excellent solution to a difficult problem

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you!

[@oliverdavidpatrick]

Hey Rudi, you're a cool guy and belong on television.. actually you are already, coz youtube is my telly. Thanks for the amazing content!

[@JLPicard440]

Wow, thanks! So glad I could help... 😀. Yes I watch a lot of KZbin university myself... 😂

[@beatpeet3933]

Thank you for fix my problem! Works perfect 👍

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@Toonseskat]

Tried it, worked great. Thanks 👍👏😎

[@JLPicard440]

That's excellent! You're welcome.. 😀

[@rudigernoll3431]

Great video/job. Thank you👍

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@adamc5822]

Works amazingly! Thank you!

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome! Great to hear.. 😀

[@rileyandjaimiesemchuk490]

Nice shirt! That was really helpful. We appreciate your beast skills

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you so much!

[@RCuriousPilot]

Thank you, this saved me heaps of time! Legend.

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome and thank you so much!

[@MatthewFisherUSA]

I have a small generator wherefore I was pulling on the pull-start cable to start just after gassing. Up until this particular times I'd never once had any issues with my generator. However, as I pulled on the start cable, the cable seemed to become very rigid to pull, meaning it was tense and only pulled out halfway prior to simply locking in to place with half of the rope out of the appliance. At this time I simply changed my whole operation from starting the generator onto trying to figure out how to get that cable back into the appliance. Well, every time I pulled just another inch the cable itself was another inch outside the appliance onto the ground. I started to watch some videos wherefore this video would've been more helpful. Now I have other camp-mates where we all share this generator. One of them, my friend Doug brought another generator assembly with the spring and cable already installed. He installed the used assembly and it has worked fine. However, I've been vacant from the camp for a few days and I would still like to fix the old assembly the way you displayed in your educational video here. As soon as have the time I will be attempting to use the knowledge from your video here to fix the old pull-start assembly. I would have to assume that it will be easily accomplished per your educational video considering all of the other components are still around here somewhere. If the spring is broken then it may not work ... Or am I able to simply cut the broken part away if it's a small length and reshape the end then perform the action? Feedback is welcome here. Thanks for your how-to-fix videos and I will be subscribing.

[@JLPicard440]

HI... Thank you for the comment! I do wonder why the original one messed up... If it's broke, you'll probably have to heat up the end to reshape it.. That metal doesn't bend very good. And like you said that'll only work if it's a small length.. if it's broke in the middle, there won't be enough spring left to do any good. Let me know how it goes.. :-)

[@billsmith5054]

THANK YOU, I NEEDED THAT. HAD TO GIVE UP ON MINE YESTERDAY.

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! You're welcome..

[@petershea3131]

Thank you! You had some helpful angles

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@tonymirto186]

Worked great. Thank-you 😁

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@Torrd115]

Pretty slick! Thank you!

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome.. 😀

[@tjtj1566]

Hi thanks. I just rebuilt a Johnson outboard motor ignition recoil spring it is very similar to this one. I was wondering if it is possible to have an overtightened recoil spring if that makes sense? I just rewound it until it pulls the cord back in nicely and is nice and cord is nice & taunt, have yet to test it. I’ve seen everyone say it range from 6 spins to 14 or 18 spins counter clockwise to get spring nice and tight. Basically I just did it till it sucks the pull cord back in nice and quick

[@JLPicard440]

HI, yes it's possible to have it to tight. If you did it to the point that it's just now working well, sounds like I'd leave it alone!

[@marcusblickerify]

Dude you're a lifesaver!!! Thank you

[@JLPicard440]

Happy to help!

[@ABwapiti6x6]

Thanks worked like a charm.

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@OmegaBlueGroup]

I'm about to tackle this myself, thank you so much for the video. Comforting to watch someone competent get through this. I'll let you know how long it takes an inexperienced 65 year old doofus do it.

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome.. You can do it... it might take a tiny bit of patience... 😂

[@kimmisoomorris8841]

oh that is so frkn awesome thanks dude!😁👍

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome! Thanks for the comment.. 😊

[@farisfayedalshebani]

Excellent material

[@JLPicard440]

TYSM!.. 😀

[@kimberlydalessandro2156]

Thank you so much for your advice, I struggled for 2 hours before my wife found your video. It worked the first time!!!! You saved my sanity.

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome! Thanks for the great feedback...

[@anthonyandreaeberwein5272]

I've been messing around for two hours had it a couple times then in backwards for a tri moto I almost threw the whole assembly through a window. Going to try this after a break

[@anthonyandreaeberwein5272]

Literally just took me 45 seconds. To get it. Thank you !!!!!

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! You're welcome.. 😀

[@jorisw_]

This helped me, thanks!

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! Glad to help..

[@Huntersprojects]

I’ve got some old Jacobsen single stage snowblower and I conveniently broke the rope and the spring blew up now I’m struggling to get it back on I’m going to have to try this

[@JLPicard440]

It does take some patience! Hopefully you can get it going again.. 😀

[@toy_named_chooch9928]

I found this after reeling it up by hand. Not the most enjoyable experience, but it's done.

[@JLPicard440]

Yes, you can do it by hand. It hones your patience! 😂

[@preston3126]

Genius, thanks for sharing

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome... 🙂. Glad it was helpful!

[@mathgag]

Excellent teatcher tank you

[@JLPicard440]

You are welcome. SO glad I could help... 😀

[@philipduncan5504]

Nice trick. I struggled with mine for a couple hours.

[@JLPicard440]

Thanks... I hope you got yours fixed.. 😊

[@channingburke7092]

Great tip got it on the second try

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! Glad to help... 😊

[@dargont100]

Worked after second attemp. Hell ya thanks

[@JLPicard440]

Good to hear... So glad to help.. 😊

[@ThatMontanaMom]

Using the drill is brilliant.

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you so much!... 😊

[@davidgoodwin16]

great video - before watching, tried doing this and nearly tossed the whole thing across the yard.

[@JLPicard440]

Lol.. I guess you could have used a big magnet to get all the parts back.. 😂

[@wwiking8055]

I tossed it across the garage 5mins ago and now are here

[@JLPicard440]

@@wwiking8055 OH NO!

[@keithzeykon9428]

Mine is already is the woods. I can't find it to try this with a drill. Oh well. Just have to look more professional by keeping that starter working on my atv.

[@JLPicard440]

@@keithzeykon9428 Lol... I'm sure you can get a replacement part..

[@jesserodriguez8657]

BRILLIANT IDEA!!!

[@JLPicard440]

Thank u!

[@jameskleist4019]

Well I will give your way a go. Then I'll let you know. It looks like it will work for me too.

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! It does take a little patience.. and possibly more than 1 try..😂

[@aflatminor]

Great job!!

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@venomx4093]

This video just saved me some high blood pressure along with full on rage and a new leaf blower.

[@JLPicard440]

I'm glad I could help out with that blood pressure!.. 😂

[@MrBonney1990]

“This guy is Superman”…, is what went through my head, as I watched this guy take the compressed spring , off of the nail,…. As we all have a very different experience….dont we boys? That little bastard flies like it was an airplane, and has a penchant for poking one in the eye, the cheek, a nostril,…it goes anyplace it likes, and nowhere you want it to…. I’m in awe….

[@JLPicard440]

TYSM for the great feedback! I really appreciate it..

[@Paul0000ification]

When that popped I had an absolute lol. Great video though, learnt stuff

[@JLPicard440]

Lol! Thank you for the great feedback... 😀

[@camreed7073]

good video thank you

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! You're welcome.. 😁

[@NoelCruzSings]

Genius! Thanks!!

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@tk380514]

Thank you so much

[@JLPicard440]

You're most welcome

[@mikemount6832]

Thanks I got it on the second try

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! That's better than me... I need several tries and a lot of patience.. 😂

[@colin_5839]

That zip tie idea is freaking genius! I really wish I had seen this video before I spent 1.5 hours messing with one of these the other day lol!

[@JLPicard440]

The good news is, this job will hone your patience to a new level.. 😂

[@ghasanferali6321]

❤❤❤thanks for info

[@JLPicard440]

My pleasure 😊

[@benofbens6446]

Thank you!

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@DiveMasterJim711]

Thanks so much

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@jimmywester1000]

Thanks Big help

[@JLPicard440]

Happy to help

[@hlashwe1543]

Thank you sir

[@JLPicard440]

Welcome

[@allenletizia321]

Nice Job . You make it look easy. What size is that center screw you know ? Cause I had to drill mine out.

[@JLPicard440]

I don't remember... Do you mean in the engine? There would be quite a few different ones depending on which engine you have...

[@richardsimonson5164]

Thank you

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome

[@aaronweatherson4379]

Oh, great - now I want to disassemble my weed wacker just to try this...

[@JLPicard440]

Lol... I've been known to do that!