I have again encountered this problem we had it last year but after stripping and cleaning and putting back together we managed to get it going but was unsure how we fixed it.

Again the same problem has happened this year after we have used it about 5 times. So the problem is that when we pull the cord it makes like a scraping sound like metal against metal.

Let me first clear up that I am actually the mrs who is typing the question for the hubby so I am not that technically minded nor is he for that matter.

When the cord is pulled the white prongs realease in and out with no problem but when fitted together again it just pulls with a scraping sound can anyone help us out, We presume with us sorting the problem last year its nothing terminal to the mower but we are unsure as what problem we fixed last time was it just luck?????

dixie, May 2009

Just another note as it has just happened the white prongs when pulled are shooting out and I mean actually flying out of the mower in two parts are they meant to be in one full part or two could they have split in the middle???? this happened twice

Kindest Regards and thanks for your help

dixie, May 2009

Hello John if you are still here??????

Well hubby took apart it is now pulling with no scraping noise however it won't start it sort of judders as though its going to then it kinda hard to explain but sounds like pup pup pfffff with a tiny amount of smoke. Checked for a spark there is one, washed the oil sponge thing checked that there is petrol being squirted with the primer, there is. I think my hubby may have flooded it he says he cannot change the oil till it is running because it needs to warm up.

So one problem solved another one gained.

dixie, May 2009

OK try this...put the recoil cover back on, but don't put the bolts in.....press down on the cover and see if the prongs actually engage with something when you pull the starter. Don't actually start it though!

John, May 2009

You know I really don't know I know my husband tightened everything,could he have made it too tight where the white prongs sit. I would really like to solve this problem as we have bought two petrol mowers in two years we have a really big garden and our funds are not ready at the minute to replace it and my beautiful garden is starting to overgrow

dixie, May 2009

I'm wondering if the prongs are actually getting deep enough into the flywheel clutch...it sounds as if they are riding over the top. What do you think?

John, May 2009