In it’s simplest state a recoil starter operates very similar to the pedals on a bicycle. When you pull the cord (pedal the bike) you apply force to a shaft that spins the engine (rotates the gears on the bike). When the engine is running and moving faster than the recoil starter can spin the starter assembly spins independently of the motor (like coasting on a bike).
While a recoil starter can have subtle differences in design the basic components will always remain the same.
• Housing (Part 4)
o Retains all of the recoil starter components and mounts to the engine (this is the part you see)
• Housing Bolts (21)
o There is typically four (4) of these. Holds the housing to the engine.
• Cord and Handle (Part 16 and 17)
o Used to rotate the the starter pulley
• Recoil Spring (Part 11)
o Returns the cord into the housing. When you pull the cord you tension the spring, when you get to the end of the pull the spring wants to return to its original state. That state is the opposite direction you just forced the pulley.
o Add recoil spring video
• Starter pulley (Part 9)
o The cord coils around the pulley. When you pull the cord you spin the starter pulley
• Tooth Mechanism (Part 14 and 10)
o Varying designs exist but they all allow force to by applied to the engine and still let the motor spin freely when it’s running
o This mechanism is attached to the starter pulley and is the main connection between the starter pulley and the pinion
• Pinion (Part 18)
o Attaches to the crankshaft of the engine and transmits the the rotational motion of the recoil starter to the engine’s crankshaft
• Retaining Bolt (15)
o Holds the starter pulley, recoil spring, and tooth mechanism in the housing
Housing (Part 4)
o Retains all of the recoil starter components and mounts to the engine (this is the part you see)
• Housing Bolts (21)
o There is typically four (4) of these. Holds the housing to the engine.
• Cord and Handle (Part 16 and 17)
o Used to rotate the the starter pulley
• Recoil Spring (Part 11)
o Returns the cord into the housing. When you pull the cord you tension the spring, when you get to the end of the pull the spring wants to return to its original state. That state is the opposite direction you just forced the pulley.
o Add recoil spring video
• Starter pulley (Part 9)
o The cord coils around the pulley. When you pull the cord you spin the starter pulley
• Tooth Mechanism (Part 14 and 10)
o Varying designs exist but they all allow force to by applied to the engine and still let the motor spin freely when it’s running
o This mechanism is attached to the starter pulley and is the main connection between the starter pulley and the pinion
• Pinion (Part 18)
o Attaches to the crankshaft of the engine and transmits the the rotational motion of the recoil starter to the engine’s crankshaft
• Retaining Bolt (15)
o Holds the starter pulley, recoil spring, and tooth mechanism in the housing
Recoil Starter – Exploded View
