pull cord will not retract

[remant333]

Hello, I have a 1973 200 merc 20hp motor and the pull cord will not retract back into pull position. I have removed from motor but need to know how to adjust so that pull cord will retract. thank you for your time.

 

[remant333]

Re: pull cord will not retract

Got it fixed, thank you

 

[akendall]

Re: pull cord will not retract

Robert,<br /><br />I'll try to answer your 1st question in regards to the pull start cord not retracting. <br /><br />There is a component that is fastened above your flywheel that contains a central housing spring and probably three dog (stoppers) that are also spring loaded. You are probably experiencing this issue from either one of these problems - the central hub srping is broken, or the rope is getting snagged in one of the housing components, otr one of the dogs is not retracting when the rope is released and is stoppiong the natural recoil.<br /><br />Pull off of the manual starter assembly and take a look at the rope - if not snagging when leading in and out, you may have to dissassemble further to inspect the central hub spring - which is sometimes a difficult task. <br /><br />The central hub spring on my 1968 35hp merc broke and I simply took it off and went to my trusted marina and they gave me another used one for $20 - you may want to consider doing this yourself if this is the case...<br /><br />ak

 

[remant333]

Re: pull cord will not retract

thanks akendall, appreciate the tip. Just got motor out of shop, apparently the old pull cord broke because the one I have now is new and still stiff. After remo0ving the manual pull starter I notice that the bolt was adjusted too tight not allowing the retracter to retract, anyway the dogs are all working and everything is back to normal.// anyway, do you know by chance anything concernig pulling off the flywheel so I can look for something possibly making a grinding type noise? will appreciate any tips, especially concernig timing as I don't want to mess with the timing. Thanks again

 

[akendall]

Re: pull cord will not retract

Robert,<br /><br />Not sure about the process of taking the flywheel off of your engine, but for mine it requires a special took - otherwise you can damage it. <br /><br />One question I have for you in regards to the grinding noise: Does this grinding noise occur all the time while the engine is running, or just when the engine is in forward/Reverse gear?

 

[remant333]

Re: pull cord will not retract

hello akendall, the noise in the beginning was off then on, no matter the rpms. initially at full throttle the motor planed the boat with myself,wife and son, then would only plane with son and wife-without my added weight. Now the noise is constant out of gear or in gear- makes no difference, perhaps it is the main bearing afterall??