On Mon, 13 Mar 2017 02:12:33 -0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

On Sun, 12 Mar 2017 22:06:44 -0400, Bill wrote:

Yes, there's a spring, obviously. The idea (starting fresh) is to wind
the spring up manually, hold it (tie it off) so you can attach the cord,
and then let it reel in the cord to see whether the tension was
appropriate. In your case, you obviously have the alternative choice to
shorten the cord--but do it right and re-install the cord as suggested
above. Probably a video of the process on youtube. Good luck!

It's the first pull of the season out here in California after lots of
rain.

The thing was outside (no shed ... gotta build a shed some day) all winter.
Pulled it a hundred times, without it getting better (or worse).

What would make the spring give up the ghost from sitting idle all winter?
RUST?. Try this before condeming the pring. Remove the spark plug and
rotate the engine backwards. Does the rope wind in? If so the clutch
id stiff. In either case the starter housing needs to come off. If
just stiff youcan lubricate it. DO NOT shorten the rope!!!