Easy, Illustrated Instructions on How to fix the pullcord on a Weedeater
Intro
My weedeater lasted about a year before the cord broke. I probably used it on my lawn 20 times, trimming grass and slowly cutting a channel into the edge of my lawn where the grass grows out onto the cement.
Of course, during each of those times I had to pull the starting cord about 50 times to get the weed eater started and to keep it started. So, should can I really complain? That cord lasted for 1,000 pulls!
The cord broke. Luckily, I'm a big fan of replacing the easiest part of an engine to fix, so this repair was right up my alley.
Here are the steps, described more fully below.
- Buy string
- Open it up
- Remove handle
- Remove spool
- Attach and wind string
- Re-attach spool
- Replace the spool.
- Re-assemble housing
- Re-attach handle
- Test string tension
- Test start
Buy string
The broken string was 1/4" string, but I didn't remember that when I went to Home Depot to buy the replacement cord. I picked up this 5/16" pink cord for $2.50. This slightly larger string fits fine and is hopefully slightly stronger than the original cord.
Open it up -
Remove the green plastic cover.
This little engine is locked up tighter than than Jay Leno's Supercar Hangar. To open it up, you don't need a screwdriver, you need both a 4mm hex wrench (a hex driver would be slightly better) and a Torx driver (size T20). Torx screws are the ones that look like six-pointed stars. You can get Torx drivers at Sears or at Amazon. From the black (exhaust) side, there are four Torx screws to remove.
From the green side of the housing there are four hex bolts to remove.
Remove handle
You'll also have to remove the black handle to get the green plastic cover off. It is held on with four more hex screws. Take note of how the trigger is positioned within the two-part handle housing, because it will probably fall loose and have to be re-assembled after you have replaced the string.
Remove spool
Once you've got the green plastic housing off, look inside to find the white spool for the starter string. Two black clips hold it against a steel wheel at the bottom.
The clips hold it in place, but allow it to spin in place. Loosen the screws for the clips enough to turn the clips out of the way. Remove the white spool.
Attach and wind string
Read about attaching and winding the cord on the second page of this article.
Please Continue Reading page 2 >
