1995, 8 HP Mariner, starting rope won't engage

[nightstalker]

More and more often, the pull to start cord will not engage. It just pulls with no resistance because it's not catching the fly wheel. Once in a while it does engage and she fires right up. What do I check? Is this an easy fix?
Nightstalker

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 1995, 8 HP Mariner, starting rope won't engage

check and see what the pawls are doing when you pull the rope. Either that or your recoil nut is loose. Its located on the top of the recoil. Take the cowling off and watch while you pull the rope. If its the nut(which also controls tension) you should be able to see if its turning. hope that helps.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: 1995, 8 HP Mariner, starting rope won't engage

The guy I am buying it from must have had the same problem and played around with it. When I took it apart, I saw that he had bolted the plunger for the neutral release in the wrong place. When I rebolted and reset it, she worked fine.
Thanks,
Nightstalker