How to Repair a Ryobi Pull Starter

Unscrew the Ryobi's starter housing cover to gain access to the pull starter mechanism. Turn the cover over to work on the pull starter. Hold the starter cover in one hand and withdraw the rope 10 inches.

Form a loop in that section and hold the loop. Wiggle the loop and cover back and forth lightly to disengage the recoil spring from the pulley. Lift your thumb off the pulley slowly to release tension on the recoil spring.

Cut the rope off at the handle and at the center of the pulley, if it needs replacing. If you're replacing the rope, you don't need to let tension out of the recoil spring; you can just cut off the rope. Take the rope off the pulley.

Unscrew the pulley's nut on the starter post. Slide the nut, washer and pulley system off the starter post. Turn the pulley over. Pop out the recoil spring from the center of the pulley, using the tip of the screwdriver.

Check for damage to the pulley, such as cracks, and the recoil spring, such as bent tips or an over-stretched spring. Replace any broken starter parts if necessary. Fit the recoil spring back in the pulley. Apply a thin layer of engine grease to the starter post. Set the pulley, washer and nut on the starter post. Tighten the nut on the pulley.

Thread the new rope into the center of the pulley, through the starter cover and the starter handle. Tie a knot in both ends to secure the rope. Wind all but 10 inches of the rope around the pulley, following the directional arrow on the pulley.

Twist a loop in the unwound portion. Wiggle the pulley and loop back and forth to reengage the recoil spring. Hold on to the starter cover, and turn the loop and pulley four to six times clockwise. Let go of the loop and let it recoil back onto the pulley. Add or subtract turns on the pulley if the rope is too tight or too loose. Refit the starter cover to the engine.