K161 1 #1 Posted June 6, 2020 Hello Everyone, I am brand new to this forum. I was led to the forum while doing research on how to fix my Troybilt Horse tiller (made in 1978 I believe). It was my father's tiller and I have used it almost every year for 40 years. I love anything old that is well made. As an older guy, I grew up using the equipment that I love today. I'm mostly a self-taught, learn by the seat of my pants guy, but I hope someone can help me out with a problem on my Kohler K161 recoil starter I replaced the broken recoil starter spring yesterday and now there is something making a terrible racket! I believe the noise is coming from the recoil starter touching the starter cup when the engine is running. When I push the recoil starter mechanism away from the cup with a stick, the noise stops. I'm trying to figure out how to make this noise stop. The only thing missing when I removed the recoil to replace the main spring was the tiny spring that goes on the inside of the recoil near the pawls. I don't think the spring has been in place for quite some time, because it has made a little noise for a while, but not like this. I'm wondering if anyone knows if the small spring could be the cause of my noise. I don't ever remember seeing the small spring but it has been at least 15 years since I had the recoil apart. The spring is "G" in the diagram below. Thanks for any help you can give. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,306 #2 Posted June 6, 2020 I could be wrong but I believe that spring needs to be there to pull the pawls away from the cup. Maybe the noise you're hearing is the pawls riding the cup? to Redsquare!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K161 1 #3 Posted June 6, 2020 That could be part of it, and it makes sense. I did see some wear on the drive cup. I can make the noise go away without touching the pawls though. Could be a combo deal. Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjvaughans 0 #4 Posted March 13, 2021 Yes I believe that spring would cause the sound because it is not retracting the pawls. Do you know how the spring is supposed to be attached? Mine came off but I do not know how it attaches to the "F" in the drawing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #5 Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) Is everyone talking about the same spring? There is G1 and G2. G1 is a tension spring. G2 appears to be a torsion spring. I don't believe G2 connects to F. I didn't have mine apart far enough to even see G2. G1 connects to F through a very tiny hole. If it's not there. I imagine it would make a noise. I should mention that my starter appears a little different than the one pictured. Mina has a more rounded appearance, the one in the pic seems to be more squarish. Maybe they are not the same starter. Edited March 13, 2021 by Gregor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjvaughans 0 #6 Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) I was referring to the upper "G" in the pic, not the yellow circled one. I do not know what the circled one is. Mine looks like the one in ghis pic.(not my pic) Edited March 13, 2021 by Mjvaughans Added image Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #7 Posted March 13, 2021 There is a small hole in F near one of the starter dog slots. The spring attaches there. And I have no idea what ghis means. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjvaughans 0 #8 Posted March 13, 2021 (edited) My "F" does not have any holes in it. Just a tab but the spring does not seem to stay hooked to it well. I would drill if I knew where. Edited March 13, 2021 by Mjvaughans Spelling Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjvaughans 0 #9 Posted March 13, 2021 Gregory, "ghis" means I am travelling and cell service seems to be affecting my auto-correct. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #10 Posted March 13, 2021 3 hours ago, Mjvaughans said: Gregory, "ghis" means I am travelling and cell service seems to be affecting my auto-correct. LOL OK I got it now. I thought it was something like , PDF, jpeg, html, or some other foreign language Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #11 Posted March 13, 2021 If your hole is not there, then chances are, it's broke. Just like mine was when I got it. I ordered parts from partstree.com. Starter dogs, # 231695-s Retainer # 231699-s this (or ghis) is the part you are talking about Starter cup # 4107108-s Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjvaughans 0 #12 Posted March 14, 2021 Mine looks just like this pic, and looks to be in pretty good condition. But only has that tab, no hole. When I took it off I did not see how the spring was hooked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,847 #13 Posted March 14, 2021 This is my retainer. Note the tab (yellow arrow) located at 6 o'clock, as yours is. The hole is in the tab (green arrow) located at 1 o'clock. ghis is the hole. Obviously Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mjvaughans 0 #14 Posted March 14, 2021 That is awesome. When I get back to town I will try to assemble again, if I cannot figure it out I will drill a hole. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
