Pull start problems
 

My pull start seems to not hook in or like when i pull it it doesnt have any resistance. Whats wrong??

RE: Pull start problems
 

After while the one way bearing starts to lose grip and starts to slip. (Hey what a rhyme). Anywayz on the serious note, all pull string bearings will eventually go out. Cold weather can also cause it to slip. So from now on I'd reccommend you to spend the money and get a non-pull start engine and a starter box. Because you'll probrably go through like 4 pull starts before the life of the engine is finished. If you continue to get engines with pull starts you'll be spending a lot of money, especially if you run your car often. And pull starts cost like $35 dollars. And actually the engine will run a little faster and smoother without the resistance of the pull start bearing. That's why you never have seen guys who race have pull starts. Another thing the engines that are made now has a lot of compression. And after pulling on the string time after time the string will eventually break.

RE: Pull start problems
 

you might want to check the spring in the pull start. it may have worn out and wants to break.

RE: Pull start problems
 

Could it just be the cold? I dont really have a lot of money right now, im pretty young, which sucks.

RE: Pull start problems
 

O, i forgot to mention that it doesnt not hook in all the time just about 1 in every four times.

RE: Pull start problems
 

If the engine is fairly new and just started slipping when it got cold, then yes it's the cold weather. Just try to start it right before you go out the door before the bearing gets cold. But still try and save up and get a starter box.

RE: Pull start problems
 

yea i got it like a week ago so its probbaly the cold

RE: Pull start problems
 

Take the one way bearing out and clean it good.It should be fine after that.

RE: Pull start problems
 

And the way that you would "clean" it, would be to soak it overnight in denatured alcohol (DA)....

RE: Pull start problems
 

i tried it its fine it was just the cold it was about 37 degrees yesterday

RE: Pull start problems
 

i have that problem somtimes. all i do is take the fuel bottle and pore a little bit of fuel on the backplate and the one way bearing and it works fine

RE: Pull start problems
 

I am by no means an expert, but for one I have seen pull starts online for 15 bucks. Second, aren't they lighter? As in no extra crap in the car like a starter and batteries etc etc or whatever they come with. Third, the extra equipment you have to buy for the auto type starters is on the high side isn't it? 50 to 100 bucks????

Well that's my 1 cents anyway. (NO not 2 cents, because I am not that RC smart.... yet:D)

RE: Pull start problems
 

Cleaning the one way usually solves the problem for a short period of time. One or two blasts of WD-40 while holding the bearing in my hand always worked for me.
I do not use pullstarts anymore but years ago when I first started I spent plenty of time removing the bearing and hosing it down to clean it, only to have to take it out again to clean it a short time later.

This happens because oil and fuel weep through the seal on the back of the casing after the engine has had some run time. I never noticed a lot but it is enough to cause the bearing to slip.

I took a drill and drilled a small hole in the top of the casing, just big enough for the straw on the WD40 can to fit into, then I drilled one on the bottom of the casing for a drain. I kept a can of WD40 in the pit box and simply gave it a shot in the hole in the casing and it worked like a charm. I have seen a few others use this method as well and it worked great for them.

You can also plug up the holes if you are worried about dirt getting in, I never had a problem with it but it could be an issue on some designs.


Dbow

RE: Pull start problems
 

When you want to fix the bearing and clean it out you dont really want to use wd-40 cause its a lubricating agent and thats the problem with it. Your best bet is to spray out with brake or carb cleaner from the auto parts store (1.99 a can). take out bearing and spray off the needles and rotate them around with a Q tip. dry it off and blow out with a compressor if you have one. Install and will be like brand new. The da will work well too but takes more time.

RE: Pull start problems
 

this trick has worked for me, too. every time i have pullstarter trouble, i just blast in some WD-40 through the tiny hole i drilled at the top of the pullstart casing (there's one for drainage at the bottom, too.)