Got this blower 2nd hand yesterday nice and cheap. Started up and worked perfectly at first. Ran out of fuel as I had only put in a bit to make sure it worked. After refueling, 2 problems appeared. It started to die and turn off while I was using it, but i could get it to go enough that it was still usable, particularly if I held it sideways. Seems like a carb issue perhaps but this is the less pressing issue. While restarting it something has gone wrong with the starter assembly. At the time it seemed like something broke inside and after that only very occasionally the cord seemed to "catch" and actually turn the motor over. I could still start the blower but it was frustrating. I naievely decided to take the starter assembly off and have a look. Couldn't really find anything broken as I took it apart, ultimately the spring that tensions the pull cord exploded out of the assembly and I wasted an hour or so figuring that out. Since I don't know what it is supposed to look like I've attached a picture of the starter assembly. Am I right to think the problem is the teeth on this bit of nylon have worn down and I need to replace it or do you think something else might be the issue?
Cheers, Andy
PS I am not even remotely experienced with motors or machine repair and may be out of my depth.
I've given Neighbours a free starter for them to only destroy it the minute they fit the starter because they haven't checked the starter pawls then they come back asking for another starter.I had one Neighbour break 2 flywheels this way.
How the stuck plastic pawl caused the original problem
The symptoms you had before opening the starter are classic:
The cord rarely “catches”
Engine sometimes turns over, sometimes not
You heard something break just before the failure
This points to the starter pawls (dogs) not engaging the starter properly.
On most whipper snippers (string trimmers) blowers etc:
The pawls are usually small plastic pieces on the pulley
They swing outward when you pull the cord
They engage metal cups or notches on the flywheel
If one pawl sticks, or the spring behind it fails:
The pawl won’t swing out reliably
The pulley spins freely without turning the engine
You feel the cord go “light”
Sometimes it catches just enough to start the engine
A stuck pawl can also jam between the pulley and housing, which can crack, deform, or lift the pulley slightly—enough to upset the tensioned recoil spring underneath.
Inspect both pawls (dogs) — look for wear, cracks, sticky movement ✔ Check tiny pawl springs — if missing or bent, replace ✔ Inspect the flywheel engagement cup for damage ✔ Rewind and reinstall the recoil spring (or replace the entire starter assembly if damaged)
You can even end up with a broken flywheel or key when the starter jams but in this case it may have just damaged the spring,where the spring locates it often can break the plastic tabs that hold the ends of the spring, then you will need a new starter.
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