It does sound like the timing has advanced. And the only way for that to
happen is for the key in the flywheel to shear and the flywheel slip on the
crank. I'd check that first.

s

OR you have some really **** poor gas. G


"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've got a Toro mower (Model 20016) with a 4 cycle Tecumseh engine
that is trying to hurt me.

When I try to start it, the start cable will pull out about half-way,
under normal starting tension, and then it feels like the compression
of the engine trys to yank it back in. It will violently pull my arm
back towards the mower.

When it eventually does start, there are 3 - 4 loud knocks (*not*
backfires) and then the mower runs fairly normally. I say "fairly
normally" because it no longer runs as smooth and quiet as it used
too.

The mower is at least 4 years old. Should I be looking at the fall
sales flyers?