How to Replace a Pulley on My Lawnmower

Set the lawnmower on a flat area. Disconnect the rubber boot from the spark plug. Move the rubber boot until it touches a metal point on the engine block.

Remove the screw and bolt combination that holds the rope guide to either the mower's handle or the top of the engine. Set the rope guide, bolt and screw aside. Loosen and remove the remaining screws that hold the starter cover to the top of the engine.

Take the starter assembly off of the top of the engine and turn it over to replace the pulley. Release tension on the starter spring. Pull out about 10 inches of rope and twist it into a loop. Turn the loop back and forth gently until the recoil spring disconnects from the pulley.

Let out the tension on the recoil spring slowly. Cut the knot at the base of the old pulley with a pair of scissors then remove the starter rope from the pulley. Unscrew the nut at the starter post that mounts the pulley to the cover. Take the nut, washer and pulley off of the starter cover.

Wedge out the recoil spring from the center of the pulley with the screwdriver. Insert the recoil spring cassette into the center of the replacement pulley if doesn't already have one pre-installed. Fit the pulley back onto the starter post, putting the washer and bolt on top.

Tighten the pulley's nut to connect it to the starter cover. Feed the starter rope in through the pulley's center hole. Feed the starter rope through the cover then through the starter handle.

Press the pulley down and wiggle it back and forth to reengage the recoil spring. Wind the rope, following the directional arrow on the pulley. Leave 10 inches of rope out and twist it into another loop.

Spin the loop and pulley until the recoil spring tightens, usually four to six revolutions. Untwist the rope and let go of the loop, letting the rope slowly rewind onto the pulley. Reassemble the rest of the parts in the reverse order of removal.