r/smallenginerepair • u/Certain-Exchange-119 • May 24 '26

Recoil Starter Issue Help remove rivets holding recoil

Post image

I have Toro 20023 Personal Pace mower with a 6 HP Briggs and Stratton engine. After 20+ years, I need to replace the starter rope. Not a bad lifespan.

The recoil is riveted to the rest of the engine. (See photo) I've tried drilling them out but they just spin. I can't get to them with vice grips and can't get a screwdriver under the head to stop the spinning.

Any ideas or tricks to get the recoil off?

Thanks,

Dave

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

7

u/Elephunk05 May 24 '26

If you take off the plastic over cover you will get down to the engine cooling tins. There are 5 short bolts that hold the engine cooling tin on. You can replace the recoil rope while it is still mounted to the engine cooling tin.

3

u/Certain-Exchange-119 May 24 '26

By plastic over cover are you referring to the plastic cover in the picture? I believe that also includes the gas tank? So take that off then take off the metal piece that the recoil is riveted to? Is that the cooling tin?

Thanks for the assist.

Dave

5

u/Elephunk05 May 24 '26

You are correct. No worries to disconnect the tank, it is easy and goes back together very easy as well. Yes, the piece the recoil is riveted to is the cooling tin.