How to Replace a Gas Trimmer Starter Rope
When the starter rope on your gas trimmer breaks, you will need to replace the rope. Replacement starter ropes are available at home-improvement centers. You will need to reapply tension to the recoil spring when you replace the starter rope. The recoil spring is the mechanism that pulls the rope back into the housing after you pull the rope to start the trimmer. Many gas trimmers use Torx head fasteners to secure the starter-rope cover to the crankcase. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Disconnect the spark-plug wire from the spark plug. Pull away the spark-plug wire by the boot covering the spark plug with your fingers.
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Remove the four screws that secure the starter-rope cover to the trimmer crankcase with a Torx driver or a Phillips-head screwdriver. Place the cover face-down on a flat surface so the inside of the cover is facing you.
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Remove the screw in the center of the starter post with a Torx driver or a Phillips-head screwdriver. The starter post sits directly over the starter-rope rotor. Remove the two washer that are under the screw.
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Grab the sides of the starter rope with your fingers, and carefully pull the rotor out of the cover. The recoil spring attaches to the rotor and should slip off the rotor. If you feel any resistance when pulling the rotor out, twist the rotor clockwise slightly to release the recoil spring.
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Pull off the remaining portion of the broken starter rope from the rotor. Thread a new starter rope through the hole in the rotor, and tie a knot on the end of the rope. Pull the rope so the knot fits inside the inner groove of the rotor.
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Push the other end of the new starter rope through the hole in the starter cover, and thread the rope through the bottom of the rope's grip handle. Tie a knot in the end of the rope to secure the handle to the rope.
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Locate the recoil spring tab that fits into the rotor. Position the rotor back into the cover so the recoil spring tab will slide into the rotor. To check that the recoil spring engages, twist the rotor counter-clockwise one turn, then let go of the rotor. The rotor will recoil if the recoil spring tab connects to the rotor properly.
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Place the two washers over the rotor, and secure the rotor with the retaining screw. Pull up on the rope near the rotor, set the rope in the small groove on the side of the rotor, and hold the rope tight against the rotor.
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Turn the rotor seven times counter-clockwise, using the rope to turn the rotor. Place your thumb on top of the rotor, and hold the rotor firmly. Pull the rope from the outside of the cover so the rope extends fully.
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Slowly release your grip on the rotor while holding the rope on the outside of the cover. Allow the rope to recoil around the rotor.
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Position the cover over the crankcase, and secure the cover with the four retaining screws. Push the spark-plug-wire boot over the spark plug with your fingers until the wire locks into place.
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Tips & Warnings
Pre-wound replacement recoil springs are available for gas trimmers. If your recoil spring looks rusty or has damage, consider replacing the recoil spring. Follow the instructions on the package for proper installation.
Always disconnect the spark-plug wire when working on a gas trimmer. This prevents accidental starting.
References
- Photo Credit line trimmers image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
