1. Have you tried lubricating all areas where there is friction of parts moving on parts?
2. Have you tried adding another loop of return tension on the return, inside the cover?
Usually this is easily done inside the cover with just the rope w/o un-bolting etc..
These two methods have worked on blowers, trimmers and chainsaws. Good Luck! Loger

I have to take it apart again. The cranking mechanism on this unit is sandwiched between the blower and the engine. I had squirted lubricant through the hole that the starter rope goes in but I don't think it lubricated much. There is no way adding another loop without taking it apart. I really doubt that adding one or two more loops will help. I can pull out the cord slowly so that all of it is out and it will not recoil by itself. Sometime after it starts it will suck it back; other times it sucks it back when I stop it - as it dies it sucks it back. It is as if the starter cluching mechanism to the crankshaft is not being released.

Took it apart - recoil spring had become dislodged - must not have put it back together correctly last time! It works for now.