How to Repair the Pull Start on a John Deere Leaf Blower

Set the leaf blower on a flat workbench. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug at the top of the engine. Remove the two Phillips screws holding the recoil against the engine block and slide off the recoil.

Cut a piece of recoil rope 1 foot longer than needed. With the lighter, burn one end to keep the rope from fraying.

Pull out the starter handle all the way out and hold the reel inside the starter with your thumb. Cut off the knot on the back of the reel, and remove the recoil rope.

Slide the rope end that has be burned though the eyelet in the recoil, and then through the eyelet in the reel. Tie a knot in the rope and cut off any excess. Allow the rope to recoil into the recoil starter. Once the reel stops, there should be 1 foot of rope still coming out of the recoil eyelet.

Remove the excess rope from the recoil handle. Slide the end of the rope protruding from the recoil starter into the handle and keep pulling the rope until the handle is drawn into the recoil eyelet. Tie a knot in the rope at that point, cut off any excess and burn with the lighter to keep the rope from fraying.

Place the recoil starter against the engine block and reinstall the two Phillips screws.