Security & Theft Kohler M8T engine kickback when starting

stevewarner1957 · May 2, 2020

I have a mint Troy Bilt 8HP horse tiller that I bought new in 1992.
Last year it started to kick back when I used the recoil to start. It would pull the handle out of your hand. It finally broke the recoil so now I wrap the rope and start the old fashioned way. I have installed a new plug. Checked the valve clearances which were ok. I also pulled the flywheel to inspect crank key. All was OK. Of course a recoil for the magnum series are no longer available. Give me some ideas guys. I’m using it but no recoil is available for the M series.
Thanks for any help

stevewarner1957 · May 3, 2020

Here she is.

PILOON · May 3, 2020

That's a reasonably easy repair.
Remove the body, dismantle it carefully and you'll probably discover the hooked end of the spring is broken away.
Heat the end and reshape the hook and cool it rapidly and then re install. Good to go!
When re installing the spring pre coil it B4 attaching the pull cord.
Done that many times and back to like new.

Hint: good time to install a new cord as well as they do fray over time and fail.

When U knot the ends apply mild heat to fuse the knots permanently.

radios1 · May 3, 2020

a recoil for another series should work. you might have to replace the coil, it has circuits in it that delay the spark, and control the dwell, which might have gone bad, giving you advanced timing!..

stevewarner1957 · May 3, 2020

I don’t want to fix the recoil until the problem is fixed or it would ruin another recoil. This recoil is in bad shape. The plastic spool is broke. I think the spring is ok

CADplans · May 3, 2020

The cam has a decompressor that reduces engine compression until the engine is at operating speed.
(it actually opens one of the valves enough to reduce compression)
There is a VERY good chance that the mechanism (located on the camshaft) has failed.

stevewarner1957 · May 3, 2020

I pulled the pan and it appears ok. I do get some compression relief when cranking.

stevewarner1957 · Apr 16, 2021

Well guys I solved my problem today. Having no luck finding recoil parts for my M8T Kohler I repowerd it today! Honda GX270! So smooth and quiet. Works perfect. It’s good for another 29 years!