April 19, 2023

Gas Pressure Washer: Why won't the pressure washer starter rope retract?

A spring on the recoil starter should retract the starter rope when you release the rope; if the spring is broken, the rope won't retract. You may want to replace just the recoil starter spring if it's available, but replacing that spring is fairly complicated. The easiest solution for fixing the problem is to replace the entire recoil starter.

gas pressure washer

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR GAS PRESSURE WASHER PROBLEM

JC-PW-Repair-or-replace-the-pressure-washer-recoil-starter

Repair or replace the pressure washer recoil starter

If the pull rope doesn't retract, it's likely that the spring inside the recoil starter is broken. The recoil starter can also fail to engage the engine when the rope is pulled. Replace the recoil starter if the spring breaks or if the recoil starter won't engage the engine.

Repair or replace the pressure washer recoil starter

Find the required part specific to your product.

Symptoms for gas pressure washers

Choose a symptom to see related pressure washer repairs.

Main causes: using a high-pressure spray tip when applying detergent, clogged siphon tube, chemical injection system fai…

Main causes: overfilling engine with oil, improper fuel/air mixture, choke system problems, dirty carburetor, engine nee…

Main causes: broken recoil spring, damaged recoil starter…

Main causes: dirty air filter, stale fuel, clogged or dirty carburetor, bad unloader valve…

Main causes: insufficient water supply, clogged water inlet screen, clogged pressure hose, faulty pump check valves, stu…

Main causes: damaged recoil starter, oil inside cylinder, locked up engine piston…

Main causes: faulty unloader valve, bad pressure regulator…

Main causes: stale fuel, gummed up carburetor, engine needs tune up, throttle and choke controls need adjustment, bad re…

Main causes: pump running for more than 5 minutes when the spray wand isn't being used, faulty pressure relief valve, ba…

Repair guides for gas pressure washers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your pressure washer.

How to install a pressure washer check valve kit

How to install a pressure washer check valve kit

Air in the inlet water supply can damage the check valves. If the pump won’t build up pressure due to damaged check valv…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 120 minutes or less
How to install a pressure washer O-ring kit

How to install a pressure washer O-ring kit

O-rings seal fittings on the pressure washer pump. Damaged seals allow water to leak from the pump. Follow these steps t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less
How to install a pressure washer chemical injection kit

How to install a pressure washer chemical injection kit

The chemical injection valve draws detergent into the pump. If it’s not drawing detergent, use a repair kit to replace t…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your pressure washers

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your pressure washer.

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