Tag: lawn mower pull cord keeps breaking

Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Lawn Mower Pull Starter Rope Keeps Breaking

Is your pull starter rope always breaking when you try to start your lawn mowers engine? Does it fray easily and then break?

Over time a pull starter can develop some sharp edges in the plastic or metal that the rope has to go through. These sharp edges will slice a little of the rope at a time and when enough of the cords are broken, then the rope will break.

You want to  check the entire length of the pull cord beginning with the eyelet on the right side of the handles. Make sure that it is smooth and if not, some light sanding with some sandpaper will do the trick. Now check out the recoil starter itself for any nicks in the guides both on the plastic and the metal. You can smooth those out or you can replace the entire starter assembly.

Some engine such as Honda, have an easy 3 bolt system that holds the starter in place. Briggs and Stratton has a more complex system and you may have to drill out the old starter and bolt in a new one.

After you replace the starter, it should be good to go unless the rope begins to cut into the blower cover or guides one again.

Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Push Lawn Mower Keeps Breaking Pull Rope

If your pull cord rope keeps breaking, it can be a couple things that need checked out.

First, are you using good quality pull rope each time you replace it? There are some very basic white ropes that do not have a lot of strength and will break quickly. A braided rope that is heavier duty will hold up much longer and suit your lawn mower application quite well.

Another problem that is typical is that your pull starter rope guides have developed a sharp spot or the blower cover itself has a sharp piece of plastic that is cutting the rope. Carefully check the guides for any sharp edge. Remove the blower or starter from the mower and check the starter rope guide for nicks or sharp edges both on the outside and the inside.

Smooth out any edge you find with some emery cloth or sand paper and form a nice smooth edge for the pull rope to pull through.

If your knot keeps breaking at the pull cord handle, you can either double knot it or also place a small washer in the handle and pull the rope through it. The washer serves as a support for a hole that may be enlarged by the pull rope. Tie a double knot in the rope and it should be good to go!