Hard to pull start...

[Rapidone82]

My grandfather has a lawn boy approx. 18 years old. Stopped running so I cleaned the carb and it would run for 5 minutes and die. I replaced the spark plug and it started on the first pull and run perfect. The problem is that since I did the repairs you need to pull it harder to get it running. It runs perfect but my grandpa could start it on his own two weeks ago but can't now. I can get it running but I can even feel the difference. It used to take very little effort to pull start but now it takes more umph. Any ideas???

 

[chance123]

Check to see if anything is binding on the recoil starter

 

[Rapidone82]

No that is working fine. I learned that before he installed the new plug he bent the tab on the spark end out further than the factory set it. Could that be the case? Not sure why he did that but that was the only thing that changed from a coupe of weeks ago when it wasn't so hard to pull to start...

 

[Rapidone82]

On a hunch I replaced the spark plug and it was super easy to start. I guess him bending the tab open made it more difficult to start. Starts and runs great now! He can start it easily