Pull chord not turning over engine - Homelite Garden

When you say it doesn't 'turn' when you pull the pull chord, do you mean the engine wont pull over or is hard to pull over.?? Possibly partially seized. Remove the exhaust and check the piston isn't scored..

if you pull the top cover off you will find there is a tin cover in the center that moves the small plate that engauges into the cup shaped part on top of the engine i have seen the screw just back off

you need to remove the recoil cover to replace the cord make sure the hub movers freely

It sounds like it might be seized up. Pull the spark plug out and see if you can pull the cord that way.
Let me know what you find. How old is your machine?

Jim

Just went through this pain today. Here's how I did it. Use allen wrench with T handle to remove the shroud over the carb controls and plug. Then remove about 10 screws and split the case. Use tool that comes with the unit to remove the nut holding the impeller. Behind the impeller, use torx head to get the other bolts to remove the motor. There are two other screws on the other side that hold the motor on. Drop the motor from the case carefully. It is still attached by wires to the throttle and kill switch. Note how the throttle linkage is connected because it will come apart for sure. On the one side of the housing you are looking at the plastic cord spool with the spring unit behind it. My chord simply pulled out of the spool. It was held on with a 10mm nut and start washer (not a good design). If the chord broke, remove the remnant from the take up spool. To rewind the new chord or replace the one that pulled free, you need to wind the spring to put tension on it. Make sure the take up spool engages with the spring tang otherwise it will turn free and not tense the sprint. Once engaged with the tang, the spool should set to the bottom to be level with the metal chord guide. Turn the spool clockwise 3-4 turns until you feel it tighten. With a 2nd pair of hands, hold the tension on the spool and tread in your chord. Route the chord through the take up reel into the hole on the side. Loosen the 10mm nut with the star washer and route the end of the chord through it. Tie a simple knot in the end to prevent it from pulling through. Tighten the 10mm nut which clamps on the chord. Now, slowly, let the spring tension take up the loose chord until fully retracted. Make sure the metal chord guide fits in the slot to channel the chord properly into the take up reel. Hold the spool down and give the chord a gentle test or two. The chord should retract easily and fully. Simple as pie!!! Reverse the disassembly and you are back in business.

Can you rotate the engine crankshaft from the drive end? If ok, then remove the starter assembly from the engine and try to pull the cord. If locked, look for mis-wound cord on the spool and try to turn the spool somewhat. Any binding should be quite obvious. Hope this helps!

you should remove the housing usually 4 bolts
dont remove anything else then look at the pully and remove the old chord tie a knot in the new chord and slot it into the hole on the pulley
you should then see a notch in the edge of the pulley this is for the chord to sit in while you turn the pully enough times to tension the recoil spring once tensioned enough so that it recoils all the chord slot the chord through the hole in the outer casing through the pull hande and knot it job done then refit

Sounds to me that the engine brake is the problem. Pull the top cover and be sure the pull starter is free and if it is then look at the engine brake just below the cover to see if it is releacing.

Just went through this pain today. Here's how I did it. Use allen wrench with T handle to remove the shroud over the carb controls and plug. Then remove about 10 screws and split the case. Use tool that comes with the unit to remove the nut holding the impeller. Behind the impeller, use torx head to get the other bolts to remove the motor. There are two other screws on the other side that hold the motor on. Drop the motor from the case carefully. It is still attached by wires to the throttle and kill switch. Note how the throttle linkage is connected because it will come apart for sure. On the one side of the housing you are looking at the plastic cord spool with the spring unit behind it. My chord simply pulled out of the spool. It was held on with a 10mm nut and start washer (not a good design). If the chord broke, remove the remnant from the take up spool. To rewind the new chord or replace the one that pulled free, you need to wind the spring to put tension on it. Make sure the take up spool engages with the spring tang otherwise it will turn free and not tense the sprint. Once engaged with the tang, the spool should set to the bottom to be level with the metal chord guide. Turn the spool clockwise 3-4 turns until you feel it tighten. With a 2nd pair of hands, hold the tension on the spool and tread in your chord. Route the chord through the take up reel into the hole on the side. Loosen the 10mm nut with the star washer and route the end of the chord through it. Tie a simple knot in the end to prevent it from pulling through. Tighten the 10mm nut which clamps on the chord. Now, slowly, let the spring tension take up the loose chord until fully retracted. Make sure the metal chord guide fits in the slot to channel the chord properly into the take up reel. Hold the spool down and give the chord a gentle test or two. The chord should retract easily and fully. Simple as pie!!! Reverse the disassembly and you are back in business.