Anyone replace pull core on Echo 2100 ST?

[sixdogs]

I have an Echo 2100 string trimmer and the cord just pulled out when I tried to start it. It has not been used much but is 3 years old so I'm on my own. The knot on the end of the cord simply came undone and I just need to put back on.

My experience with replacing pull cords has not been good. Has anyone done one of these for advice? Do I just unscrew the housing and wind the cord and replace? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Eagleview]

You must also take the pull knob off the other end , re-tie the knot that came undone and thread the loose end through the hole in the pulley from the inside out so that it now resembles a Yo Yo . Have the cord come out the side of the pulley via the cutout(shown in photo) in the pulley's side and wind the pulley in the direction it goes when pulled using the cord like a crank handle . This puts preload on the spring , wind until you feel resistance(coil bound). Let the pulley unwind one turn after the resistance is felt . Do not wind the cord onto the pulley , the groove should be empty , it will wind up via the spring you have energised by cranking the cord earlier . Put knob end of cord through the eyelet in the cover and put the pull knob back on with a double knot (you need 3 hands for this). Pull the cord out until it comes fully out of the cutout in the pulley and release slowly and the cord should retract , give it a pull a few times to check it is correct and then put the cover back on the engine and start the engine .

It is not hard to do but is hard to explain , maybe YouTube will have a video .

 

[sixdogs]

IronHorse--Impressive, Thank you.
In prior years my problems happened when the coil spring un-wound on me. Sounds like it won't happen on this. With your instructions in hand, I'll take the cover off tonight and report back. First I'll search for a YouTube video. Thanks.

Update on this--I found a YouTube video on how to remove the Echo starter cover and a generic video on doing a string replacement on a chainsaw. I think I understand what you mean.

 

[Eagleview]

How did you go with it ?

 

[sixdogs]

Well, I watched two videos and that's as far as it got. I need it soon so it is a priority. There is an exact video on how to remove that Echo housing--

YouTube - How to Replace an Echo Trimmer Starter

..and one how to replace a wound cord on a similar product--Ignore the housing part.

YouTube - String Trimmer Starter Repair

I have these two in my laptop and figure to do it step by step.

Pull cords have always been a personal demon but the second video is like Cliff note for dummies on pull cord repair. I will report back when project complete. Thanks for the feet to the fire on this.

 

[sixdogs]

Well, today was the day after putting this off as long as I could.
Most of it was pretty easy except for the winding of the cord around the spool at the same time I was trying to hold everything together.
It took me nearly an hour.
But---if I had to do it again, and I hope I don't, I figure it would take me only 15 minutes. Yeah, it was a steep learning curve from the aspect of making sure that the spring stays coiled. The two videos above were very helpful.

 

[TonyMcD]

It can be a spring loaded can of worms to hold the spring tension while getting them back together, but there is another way.
If you notice there is a notch in the pulley.
Get the spring wound up in the housing.
Feed the rope into the pulley and tie the knot.
Poke the other end of the string through the pull hole, slip on the pull handle,
and tie the knot.
Drop the pulley in place, and spin the pulley till it drops on in which will catch
the hook on the spring. Put the retaining screw back to hold the pulley in place.
Now, wind the rope around the pulley till the rope is used up.
Slip the rope into the notch in the pulley, and wind it a turn or two till
you have enough tension to suck the rope in.

 

[sixdogs]

It can be a spring loaded can of worms to hold the spring tension while getting them back together, but there is another way.
If you notice there is a notch in the pulley.
Get the spring wound up in the housing.
Feed the rope into the pulley and tie the knot.
Poke the other end of the string through the pull hole, slip on the pull handle,
and tie the knot.
Drop the pulley in place, and spin the pulley till it drops on in which will catch
the hook on the spring. Put the retaining screw back to hold the pulley in place.
Now, wind the rope around the pulley till the rope is used up.
Slip the rope into the notch in the pulley, and wind it a turn or two till
you have enough tension to suck the rope in.

Wise advice.