Craftsman m230

I've already replaced the full starter assembly and still no luck.

The cord won't pull unless I tug on it incrementally so that's it's fully extended. Then have to really mess with it to get it started.

Must be something below the starter assembly?

I can try to post some videos if that would be helpful

So you're sure there is nothing obstructing the blade?

If so, then it may have a bad spring in the rope pull part.

Congrats OP, you are about to be the proud owner of a new lawn mower…

91AggieLawyer said:

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So you're sure there is nothing obstructing the blade?

If so, then it may have a bad spring in the rope pull part.

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Yes there is absolutely nothing blocking the blade at all

I replaced the whole rope pull mechanism with one of these

JDLLONG Rewind Starter 594062 for Briggs & Stratton Recoil Starter Pull Start Fits 093J02 103M02 103M05 103M0B 104M02 Lawn Mower https://a.co/d/fpJlTDR

JohnLA762 said:

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Congrats OP, you are about to be the proud owner of a new lawn mower…

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This thing is like 3 years old

Will the engine spin by hand? Can you remove the rope, and turn the flywheel by hand? Or remove the sparkplug, and spin the blade?

Does the rope pull work if not bolted to the engine?

I'm with those who think it seems more like an engine problem than a pull rope problem.

CanyonAg77 said:

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Will the engine spin by hand? Can you remove the rope, and turn the flywheel by hand? Or remove the sparkplug, and spin the blade?

Does the rope pull work if not bolted to the engine?

I'm with those who think it seems more like an engine problem than a pull rope problem.

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I'll try the spark plug

The rope pull works fine unmounted from the engine.

The engine does actually start and run.

Just can't pull it easily to start. Requires some manipulating of the cord and then pulling it to get "momentum" and finally starts

Maybe an alignment problem between the pull and the engine, if they independently work just fine?

Hard to diagnose without seeing it, and I've never had an issue like this, but my guess is that the part you have, for whatever reason, isn't working with your lawn mower. It may say it works but actually isn't.

91AggieLawyer said:

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Hard to diagnose without seeing it, and I've never had an issue like this, but my guess is that the part you have, for whatever reason, isn't working with your lawn mower. It may say it works but actually isn't.

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But the part operates the same as the old pull starter assembly

I'll try and upload some videos

Hurry up and fix it; I don't want the HOA harassing me.

So, do some of y'all's lawnmowers play music? I'm just trying to figure out why they have chords…

AgsMyDude said:

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Hard to diagnose without seeing it, and I've never had an issue like this, but my guess is that the part you have, for whatever reason, isn't working with your lawn mower. It may say it works but actually isn't.

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But the part operates the same as the old pull starter assembly

I'll try and upload some videos

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You misunderstood/I wasn't clear: the part doesn't fit right on the mower. It works perfectly and does the same as the old one, but for some reason, isn't making the same connection to the mower the old one was. Sort of like trying to use a Xmm socket on a standard size nut of a similar size -- it will fit and may move a little but won't be a good fit. As I said, this is a guess based on your description of events. I can't be certain of this diagnosis. I may be in left field, or way out in the parking lot!

I would go over both very carefully to make sure they are exactly the same.

CanyonAg77 said:

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Maybe an alignment problem between the pull and the engine, if they independently work just fine?

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I think Canyon's right. Something's in a bind due either to misalignment or lack of clearance causing it to hit/bind on the housing. Sometimes those things will need a spacer or shim or a big pair of pliers to persuade them to get the necessary clearance.

I'd try it (if possible) just positioned in place but without tightening any of the screws or bolts, or just tightening them very loosely.

Sounds like the clutch is bad or in a bind with the pulley.

I just replaced the pull starter assembly in my Toro and it won't start either. I was all frustrated and then my wife said, "that thing is like 18 yrs old, why don't you go buy a new one?"

I'm about to not be frustrated anymore.

So you're buying electric?

Thats what we did when the last gas mower got too tempermental. Bonus, the wife doesnt need my help to start the mower anymore

She better hope you never use that philosophy on her…

Have gas?? hehe

Willy Wonka said:

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I just replaced the pull starter assembly in my Toro and it won't start either. I was all frustrated and then my wife said, "that thing is like 18 yrs old, why don't you go buy a new one?"

I'm about to not be frustrated anymore.

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My mower is 3 years old.

Update.

Removing the spark plug and the rope pulls just fine.

Putting a NEW spark plug results in the same issue with the cord getting stuck.

Weird.

AgsMyDude said:

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Update.

Removing the spark plug and the rope pulls just fine.

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Can you take off the muffler and try it? Obviously, don't keep it off permanently unless you just want to annoy your neighbors.

Now I'm leaning toward some type of restriction, possibly a mostly clogged muffler screen.

AgsMyDude said:

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Update.

Removing the spark plug and the rope pulls just fine.

Putting a NEW spark plug results in the same issue with the cord getting stuck.

Weird.

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Did it blow a bunch of fuel out of the spark plug hole when you pulled the starter with no plug in it? If so you might have a stuck needle valve in the carb that is hydrolocking it.

Ribeye-Rare said:

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AgsMyDude said:

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Update.

Removing the spark plug and the rope pulls just fine.

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Can you take off the muffler and try it? Obviously, don't keep it off permanently unless you just want to annoy your neighbors.

Now I'm leaning toward some type of restriction, possibly a mostly clogged muffler screen.

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Screw my neighbors

I contacted a local small engine repair guy and he thinks it's the automatic compression valve that has broken off.

Says it's not worth repairing the engine and to just get a new mower.

1) Roll lawnmower to curb.
2) Put up sign that says "free mower."
3) Buy a Honda.
4) Profit!

NoahAg said:

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1) Roll lawnmower to curb.
2) Put up sign that says "free mower."
3) Buy a Honda.
4) Profit!

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Never seems to be a shortage of folks that don't understand there is no such thing as a free lawnmower.

What's an automatic compression valve?

Willy Wonka said:

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I just replaced the pull starter assembly in my Toro and it won't start either. I was all frustrated and then my wife said, "that thing is like 18 yrs old, why don't you go buy a new one?"

I'm about to not be frustrated anymore.

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I'll take my 23 year old Toro over the new ones.

My sister bought one 4 years ago and replaced it again last year. New ones suck.

Probably this...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_release


Probably explains why it is so hard to start but runs fine once you get her fired off.

I thought that might be it, but seems like it wouldn't make it that hard to start. Good grief, it's 50cc, not a 300 cubic inch 1950s JD tractor…which I've hand started…a lot…using compression release

Yeah, I have seen those on big diesel engines, but never thought a small gas engine would need one.

Yeah I'm pretty confused, I may seek a second opinion

The thing is only 3 years old.

*If you remove the spark plug boot, remove the spark plug from the engine, and while the spark plug is removed from the engine, pull the starter recoil and see if there is no resistance and is easily turned over (don't worry it won't start with the spark plug removed), then I'm 100% confident the ACR is broken off.

Essentially what you are doing by removing the spark plug is to "manually" act as a compression release valve, therefore the engine will turn freely every time you pull the starter rope"

Interesting