Locked pull cord? Please help

[gwp]

1996 6hp Evinrude
Was riding along at full throttle, and engine slowly began losing rpms and died. When I tried to restart, the pull cord was locked. Of course, I was sure the engine was cooked. I removed the cowling and found the engine was not overheated and the flywheel would turn fine as well as the prop. Somewhat relieved, I tried to figure out a way of wrapping the emergency pull cord around the flywheel, but the pull cord assembly which fits over the flywheel prevented this. Then I tried the pull cord again and it was freed up, so I started engine and all was OK. Anybody know what would have caused the pull cord assembly to freeze up? Thanks much...Gary

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Locked pull cord? Please help

I feel the recoil unit was NOT locked up and that it indeed was the engine that tightened up -- more than likely due to overheating. By the time you got the recoil unit off the engine had cooled sufficiently to free it up. Recoils don't lock up while an engine is running. In fact they are not even connected to the engine except during the starting process.

 

[gwp]

Re: Locked pull cord? Please help

Silvertip.....When I removed the cowling the flywheel was free but the pull cord wouldn't pull??? What you say makes scene though.....I'm lost on this one...Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Locked pull cord? Please help

Chances are when you started the engine, you let the recoil snap back rather than guiding it back. Doing that on an outboard, your lawn mower, or your weed whacker can cause the rope to get wedged between its pulley and outer housing. By tugging on it, it simply came free. This whole rope thing however has nothing to do with the engine stalling. I would be more concerned about that.