Johnson 6hp recoil spring - how to test

[BUDDY123]

Was out on lake gave it a pull and rope never recoiled. Have the side mounted pinion gear starter. Can I assume the spring is shot, or is there something I can do to test it?? If spring is shot, is this a do it yourselfer job or take it to the shop? Iam somewhat handy, but sometimes unlucky. Thanking you in advance.

[BigB9000]

Did it try to retract even a little?
If so, the spring is probably fine.
If not, a new spring & spool can be found on ebay pretty cheap.

If its ok, take it apart, and clean all the crappy old grease off it. ALL OF IT! use carb cleaner if you have to. then reassemble, it'll probably work fine.

A temporary fix would be to re-grease it.

an even more temporary fix would be to wd-40 it up
WD-40 attracts dirt faster, and deteriorates quickly.

(ignore the spelling on the following links)
How to remove the pull starter:
http://www.bigb9k.com/BRP/6603e/ps.html

reinstall:
http://www.bigb9k.com/BRP/6603e/psi.html

replace rope:
http://www.bigb9k.com/BRP/6603e/psr.html

[BUDDY123]

A very big "THANK YOU" to BigB9000. Could not ask for anything better,except you doing it for me. The step by step and pictures are great. I do have a basic Johnson manual, but, does not give me any details on how to fix the recoil spring. Will check with my local shop to see if I can get spring, if not, should be able to get one on e-bay or internet. Again you just saved me a shop bill.

[BigB9000]

A very big "THANK YOU" to BigB9000. Could not ask for anything better,except you doing it for me. The step by step and pictures are great....Will check with my local shop to see if I can get spring, if not, should be able to get one on e-bay or internet. Again you just saved me a shop bill.

Your welcome, glad you found it useful.

Depending on your year, the spring part numbers change. Why I don't know, as comparing the springs side by side, they are the same.

But, if its a 72:
0314500 MAIN SPRING $79.13

or a 66:
0311265b MAIN SPRING $77.49

I couldn't find any on ebay.

Thats if it even needs a spring, the clip on the bottom plate could have come off, a reattach would fix this.
it could have broken off. You could probably bend a new hook and be ok.

Or it could have snapped in the center, rendering the spring useless.

I say take it apart and see whats going on.

[ezeke]

Of Course, the factory manuals say: "DO NOT lubricate pinion gear or spool. Oil or grease here will attract dirt, causing pinion to bind on the spool."

[BigB9000]

Of Course, the factory manuals say: "DO NOT lubricate pinion gear or spool. Oil or grease here will attract dirt, causing pinion to bind on the spool."

Huh.... So it does.

This is why you read my disclaimer

It does however say to "Lubricate upper and lower spool bearing surfaces...apply outboard oil to spring on pinion gear"