seconds the reverse is not possible.. unless your bump starting the engine. I have bump started the rush the wrong direction before. if your bump starting it...make sure the bump start wheel is spinning the same direction the flywheel needs to spin... if you understand that.... Well if your starting it the wrong way, it just won't idle... I've started engines the wrong direction.. and they won't idle... period.. I think that's your problem.. he has to be bump starting it if he's got it going in the wrong direction.... if the one way bearing was facing the other way... and he pulled it.. the pull start won't retract.... the only way that thing goes the wrong direction is the engine is spinning the wrong direction..