Yes, you can do it yourself – learning how to change a pull cord on a snowblower is a simple repair. It saves you a lot of money and gets your machine running fast.
That loud snap in the cold is a bad sound. Your pull cord broke and now your snowblower won’t start. I’ve been there many times myself.
You don’t need to be a mechanic for this job. With a few basic tools, you can handle it in under an hour. I’ll show you the easy way to do it.
This guide walks you through each step. You’ll learn how to change a pull cord on a snowblower safely and correctly.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather your tools first. This makes the whole job go much smoother.
You need a new pull cord and recoil starter. You can find these at any hardware store. Make sure you get the right size for your model.
You also need a socket set and screwdrivers. A pair of pliers helps a lot too. Don’t forget some clean rags for your hands.
Find a flat, well-lit spot to work. Your garage floor or a workbench is perfect. Lay down a towel to keep parts from rolling away.
Safety glasses are a good idea. Small springs can fly out when you take things apart. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Check your owner’s manual if you have it. It might have a specific diagram for your engine. This can be a big help.
Step 1: Remove the Starter Housing
First, disconnect the spark plug wire. This is the most important safety step. You don’t want the engine to start by accident.
Locate the bolts holding the starter cover. There are usually three or four of them. Use your socket wrench to take them out.
Lift the plastic housing off carefully. You’ll see the recoil assembly inside now. Set the housing and bolts aside in a safe place.
Take a picture with your phone. This shows how everything looks before you take it apart. It’s a great reference for putting it back together.
Now you can see the broken cord. The end is likely stuck inside the pulley. We’ll get that out in the next step.
This is the first real step in learning how to change a pull cord on a snowblower. You’ve got access to the broken parts.
Step 2: Take Out the Old Cord and Spring
You need to release the tension on the recoil spring first. Hold the pulley firmly with one hand. Use your other hand to slowly let the cord wind in.
Be very careful here. The spring is under a lot of pressure. Let it unwind slowly and with control.
Once the tension is off, you can remove the pulley. It should lift right off the center post. Now you can see the spring inside its housing.
Use your pliers to pull the old cord stub out of the pulley. There’s usually a knot or a metal clip holding it. You need to remove this old piece.
Inspect the recoil spring while you’re here. Look for any cracks or rust spots. A bad spring means you need a whole new recoil assembly.
According to OSHA, using tools the right way prevents injuries. Go slow and pay attention to what you’re doing.
Step 3: Wind the New Spring (The Tricky Part)
This part seems hard but it’s not. The key is to wind the spring in the right direction. Most springs wind clockwise.
Place the new spring into the housing cup. Make sure the inner hook catches on the center post. You should feel it click into place.
Now, wind the spring slowly. Use a flat screwdriver to turn it. Go about one and a half turns for good tension.
Hold the spring in place with your finger. You don’t want it to unwind on you. This takes a bit of practice, so don’t get upset if it slips.
I’ve done this dozens of times. The spring always wants to jump out. Just be patient and keep trying.
This is the core skill for how to change a pull cord on a snowblower. Getting the spring right makes everything else easy.
Step 4: Install the Pulley and New Cord
Place the pulley back over the wound spring. Line up the hole in the pulley with the hole in the housing. The cord needs to pass through both.
Feed your new pull cord through the housing hole first. Then thread it through the hole in the pulley. Leave about six inches of cord hanging out.
Tie a solid knot in the end of the cord inside the pulley. A double knot or a figure-eight knot works best. You don’t want this to pull out.
Some pulleys use a metal clip instead of a knot. If yours has this, just crimp the clip onto the cord. It holds just as well.
Now, slowly let the pulley turn. It will wind the cord around itself. Keep a light grip on the cord as it pulls in.
Leave about a foot of cord hanging out of the housing. This gives you enough to grab when you want to start the engine. You’ve almost finished learning how to change a pull cord on a snowblower.
Step 5: Reassemble and Test Your Work
Place the starter housing cover back on. Line up all the screw holes carefully. You don’t want to cross-thread the bolts.
Hand-tighten all the bolts first. Then use your socket wrench to snug them down. Don’t overtighten the plastic, or it might crack.
Reconnect the spark plug wire you disconnected earlier. Make sure it clicks onto the spark plug firmly. A loose connection causes starting problems.
Now for the fun part. Give the pull cord a gentle tug. It should pull out smoothly and retract back in.
Pull it a few more times to make sure. Listen for any weird rubbing or grinding sounds. A smooth pull means you did it right.
The Consumer Reports guide to small engine care says regular checks prevent big repairs. You’ve just done one of those checks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many people wind the spring the wrong way. This makes the cord retract backwards. Always check your manual for the correct direction.
Another mistake is using the wrong cord thickness. A cord that’s too thin will break again fast. A cord that’s too thick won’t fit through the hole.
Don’t forget to tie a good knot. A weak knot will pull out after a few pulls. Then you have to take everything apart again.
Overtightening the housing bolts is common too. You can strip the threads in the plastic. Snug is enough, not super tight.
Rushing the job leads to errors. Take your time with each step. Doing it right once is faster than doing it twice.
Learning how to change a pull cord on a snowblower means avoiding these simple errors. They can ruin your whole repair job.
When to Call a Professional
Sometimes the repair is bigger than a broken cord. If the recoil housing itself is cracked, you need a pro. A broken housing won’t hold tension.
If the spring is shattered or badly rusted, replace the whole unit. Trying to fix a broken spring is very hard. It’s also dangerous.
Call a pro if you see damage to the engine flywheel. This is the part the starter engages. Deep grooves mean you need a mechanic.
You should also get help if the cord breaks again right away. This points to a bigger problem inside. Something is causing too much friction.
The National Ski Areas Association notes that proper equipment upkeep is key for safety. Don’t use a broken machine.
Knowing how to change a pull cord on a snowblower also means knowing your limits. There’s no shame in asking for help.
Tips for Making the Job Easier
Use a cord with a plastic handle you like. A comfortable handle makes starting much nicer. Your hand will thank you on cold mornings.
Put a little grease on the center post before reassembly. This reduces wear on the pulley and spring. It makes the pull smoother too.
Keep an extra pull cord in your toolbox. They’re cheap and good to have on hand. The next break won’t be a big deal.
Clean the inside of the housing while it’s open. Wipe out any old grease and dirt. A clean starter works better.
Mark the direction of the spring winding with a marker. This helps if you need to do it again next year. You won’t have to guess.
Following these tips makes learning how to change a pull cord on a snowblower a breeze. The job gets faster every time you do it.
Preventing Future Pull Cord Breaks
Don’t yank the cord all the way out violently. A smooth, steady pull is best for the cord and the engine. Jerking puts extra stress on the knot.
Make sure the engine is not flooded before you pull. If it’s flooded, you’ll pull against compression. This can snap the cord easily.
Store your snowblower with the cord retracted all the way. Leaving it hanging out can let dirt get inside. Dirt grinds down the parts.
Check the cord for fraying once a season. Look near the handle and where it enters the housing. A little wear means it’s time for a new one.
Lubricate the recoil mechanism once a year. A drop of oil on the moving parts keeps everything working. It’s simple upkeep.
The EPA recommends good maintenance for small engines. It helps them last longer and pollute less. A simple cord change is part of that.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what size pull cord to buy?
Measure the old broken piece of cord. You can also check your owner’s manual for the exact length and thickness. Most snowblowers use a standard size.
Can I use any kind of rope to fix it?
No, you need a specific starter cord. It’s made from a special, strong nylon that can handle the pulling and the cold weather. Regular rope will break fast.
Why does my new cord not retract all the way?
The spring probably isn’t wound with enough tension. You need to take it apart and wind it one more full turn. Then it should pull the cord all the way in.
How to change a pull cord on a snowblower if the spring is fine?
The process is the same. You just don’t need to replace the spring. Wind the old spring back in and attach the new cord to the pulley.
Is it safe to do this repair myself?
Yes, it’s one of the safest small engine repairs. Just remember to always disconnect the spark plug wire first. This stops the engine from starting.
My cord retracts too fast and hurts my hand. What’s wrong?
The spring has too much tension. You need to unwind it by one half turn. This will make the retraction slower and gentler on your fingers.
Conclusion
So, how to change a pull cord on a snowblower? It’s a straightforward job you can tackle in an afternoon.
You’ll save a lot of money on repair bills. You’ll also get the satisfaction of fixing it yourself. That’s a great feeling when the snow is falling.</
