How To Replace Small Engine Pull Cord on Mower

Own a lawnmower long enough, and eventually, you will experience small engine pull cord failure. Whether your lawnmower pull cord has seen its fair share of uses or it fails before its time due to quality, these seven simple steps will show you exactly how to replace pull cord on mowers to get you back up and running before your next mowing mission.

Supplies Needed for Lawn Mower Pull Cord Replacement 

First things first, you’ll need a few tools, like:

• Screwdriver
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Nut driver
• New pull cord— preferably one that’s more reliable than a generic pull cord.

Our Replacement Pull Cord Recommendation

SGT KNOTS Dacron Polyester Pull Cord is the heavy-duty, ultra-reliable replacement pull cord and starter rope every landscaping business, homeowner, or neighborhood lawn care kid should have hanging in their garage for on-the-fly fixes. 

This cord is as cost-effective as it is reliable with a Dacron polyester solid-braid construction resistant against abrasion and wear. Snag this cord in either #4, #5, or #6 diameters and lengths of 10ft and 25ft, or spools of 50ft, 100ft, and 1,000ft for a never-ending supply of replacement pull cord perfect for everything from mowers, generators, leaf and snow blowers, and more.

How To Replace Pull Cord on Lawn Mower in 7 Easy Steps

1. You’ll begin your lawn mower pull cord replacement by removing the bolts and popping off the starter housing. 
   
2. Find the end of the old pull cord and slowly pull it out of the starter housing (needle-nose pliers may be handy here if you’re not able to easily grab the pull cord). Then, remove the rope from the handle by cutting or untying the knot. 
   
3. Feed the new cord from the outside of the starter housing to the inside. Wind up the starter pulley as far as it will go. Then, back up the pulley so that the pull cord hole on the pulley lines up with the pull cord hole on the outer part of the starter housing. You can keep it lined up by sticking your screwdriver through a slot in the pulley and pulley housing (if applicable). 
   
4. Once you’ve fed your new pull cord through both holes, tie a knot at the end of the rope and pull it tight. Cut off the excess and use a lighter to melt the end for a secure knot (optional). 
   
5. Let the pulley wind itself back up until it stops. Cut off any excess rope outside the starter housing and fish your remaining piece through the pull handle.
   
6. Tie a knot, cut off the excess, and use a lighter to melt the end for a secure knot, or heat up the knot to melt it together (optional). 
   
7. Secure starter housing back to the mower with bolts and get back to business!
   

Stay In the Loop

Now that you know how to replace a mower pull cord, you can move onto your next DIY repair or improvement project. Thankfully, you can count on SGT KNOTS to provide you with the best Rope and Cord products and all the information you need to get back up and running no matter what type of mission is next on your list. 

Stay in the loop with DIY tutorials at the SGT KNOTS blog, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see how loyal customers like you are using and loving their trusted favorite and new release SGT KNOTS products!