Kind of a weird problem...

[minibikeman96]

OK so i bought a go cart off of craigslist for $175 bucks, and it has a starting issue...I have to give the pull start short tug for it to engage, and then I can finally pull. From the outside it looks like a perfectly normal pull starter...do I need to replace it or do I need to rewind it?

Pics of the cart are coming soon!

Thanks!

 

[brendonv]

Its just because its a bit old. Rebuilding it (rewinding the spring the other way or getting a new one, lubing it all up) will fix it.

 

[Chris T.]

Sounds like the lever that swings out and engages is sticking, really worn down, or the spring that hold it (not the recoil spring) is broken. I would just take it apart and have a look, you can usually take a look at the lever without removing the recoil spring housing which saves a lot of trouble.