Had the machine gotten tipped on transport?

1. Please give some past history on the machine (age, past repair needs, hrs used per year, etc).

2. Can you reach the impeller with a 2X4 to see if it is binding (with the spark plug pulled for safety)?

3. Is the machine clutch driven which means the impeller only turns when the engine's RPM is raised vs starting or idling?

4. Can you remove the starter to see if that will allow the starter to turn freely off the machine?

5. Do you have a manual that is addressing this issue with ideas?

6. It sounds if the problem needs to be identified between starter, impeller or etc.

7. If it is a binding impeller, possibly your mechanic friend can add you a safe port-hole for moving the impeller with a 2X? (with the plug out) if it's binding and needs moving to free it.

Gas Chippers seems popular and a Pain for many. Any manual starting equipment can be a strain on the body if it has torque, even when it is operating properly. Good Luck! loger

Thanks guys!
No tipping during transport.
No repairs (other than having my auto mechanic free it up) and it's only been used a half dozen times - with no problems.
I can reach the impeller with the hood off.
Nothing is caught or preventing in the blade from turning.
Don't know about the starter.
Clutch driven.
Got the manual off of the internet.

1. Sounds as if the problem could be in the "Pull Start Housing". It is a recoil pull-start correct? Can you pull the rope out full length and will it return?

2. Or! Is this when you get resistance? Have you tried WD-40 etc on the housing's moving parts? Have or will you removed the starter's housing (usually 3 bolts on a B&S)?

3. If you have, does it pull w/o a bind? If there is a bind and you c/n easily see why, I feel the rope has gotten out of the pulley at some point and time.

4. Has the starter's rope ever fed out on its on while the machine was running? loger

The starter rope is what is locked.

See if the info at this address below will help you or your mechanic. I doubt the mechanic will need the info. BUT! will need to know what is causing the rope to bind.

** Are you saying the rope is stuck because you have the ropeâÂÂs starter housing off to verify this?

** Is the starter ever screaming and feeding the rope back out? That could be a bad starter. With your centrifugal clutch, I doubt this is related. Your starting mechanism would be different. Can you post a pic or link of your starter and clutch setup?

** Check for wear in the rope's starter housing. loger

http://www.ehow.com/how_6246397_repair-pull-rope-small-engine.html

If the rope is pulling free and the impeller will turn free with the rope�s housing off, I feel your starter mechanism is not meshing. Possibly something is worn or binding in the starter mechanism. You said you could move the impeller through etc., If a slight movement allows it to mesh and start you know where to look for the problem. Good Luck! loger

I know what your talking about, its not the pull start locking up, i found out the hard way, CHECK YOUR OIL. i bought mine from a friend, and he really REALLY got me. it wiuld run for a little bit and i would turn it off because it was not running right carb was leaking everything. so i finally rebuilt the carb, and runs perfect, but wheni went to pull it would not move at all, had to take off shoot, and pull the plug and use a 2x4 to get it to move, i was like huh, i thought it was junk in the empeller, well got it lose, and after a few turns it spun ok so put it back together, and it started right up. for the first time i was happy, the after running it a while chippin and going on, it slowed down and then quit. i saw the dreaded heatwaves coming from the head, and opened the oil port, and you guessed it no oil. so i let it set, and cool off and was able to get it lose again. going to get oil, and start it again, i will keep you updated.

That's a doozy there.. Most of those units ship without any oil in the engine....

Pull the oil plug and take a peek.

If there's no oil - then you will need to do the old $400.00 oil change... You know - the one that comes with a free engine...

Thanks