Anyone Do Small Engine Repair?

[olds]

I was given a front tine rototiller and the recoil starter doesn't work. The rope assembly portion is fine but the clutch doesn't engage the motor.
Is this an easy repair? Are clutches generic?
Part:
pic

 

[crab]

Very easy, it just spins off. Knock it gently with a mallet and it'll unscrew. Pop that cover off and check it though, theres only a few ball bearing that are pushed out to engage those two pieces. Theres not much to go wrong though, so I suspect they may just be stuck. Do not grease them...you'll see why. Thats a briggs & stratton part any hardware store or lawnmower shop should have.

 

[wedi42]

buy two of those parts when you find it, they go out quite often

 

[olds]

Thanks guys.
I assume the threads are left handed?

 

[slag]

yep, normal left hand threaded. I wouldnt even remove it, just pop the black cover off (its pressed on), and remove the 4-6 ball bearings there.. Spray the inside down with brake cleaner to clean up the gunk and put the balls back in it.

They dont really go out often. They are a simple mechanism, metal on metal, and really have no wear parts.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: slag
yep, normal left hand threaded. I wouldnt even remove it, just pop the black cover off (its pressed on), and remove the 4-6 ball bearings there.. Spray the inside down with brake cleaner to clean up the gunk and put the balls back in it.

They dont really go out often. They are a simple mechanism, metal on metal, and really have no wear parts.

:thumbsup:
It gets gummed up with dust usually.

 

[olds]

Sounds like an easy fix.

 

[Evadman]

That appears to be from a B&S engine. This is an easily replaced part.

<edit>
oh, and no they are not generic. You will need one for your engine. Though there are not many kinds, probably a total of 10 part numbers for hundreds of different engines.

 

[olds]

It's a 5 HP Briggs and Stratton. It's mounted on a Yard-Man Earthbird 5030-3 Rototiller.

 

[Evadman]

hell, I probably have 10 of them in my shed then.