How to replace a lawn mower starter rope

Wear work gloves to protect your hands.

Disconnect the spark wire so there's no chance that the mower could accidentally start.

Remove the starter rope from the rope guide.

If the rope won't slip past the guide and the handle, loosen the guide.

Remove the screws securing the engine cover to the engine.

Slide the rope through the hole in the engine cover. 

Remove the screws that secure the fuel tank to the engine.

Lift the tank off, being careful to keep the fuel tank upright so it doesn't leak.

Remove the screw that secures the dipstick tube to the housing.

Remove the dipstick tube from the engine and plug the hole with a paper towel to keep debris from falling into the engine.

Remove the bolts securing the blower housing to the engine and remove the housing from the engine.

Inspect the starter pulley and remove any remaining starter rope.

Turn the rope pulley counter-clockwise 7 times to wind the spring. Align the hole in the pulley with the hole in the housing and insert a screwdriver through the holes to keep them aligned as you work.

Thread the new rope through the hole in the housing and pulley. Tie a knot in the rope to keep it from slipping out of the pulley.

While holding the rope, remove the screwdriver from the holes in the pulley and housing, and let the rope slowly rewind.

Attach the other end of the rope to the starter handle. Feed the rope through the hole in the handle and secure it with another knot.

Position the engine blower housing on the engine and bolt it into place.

Remove the paper towel from the dipstick opening, slide the dipstick tube into the engine and secure it with the screw.

Feed the starter rope handle through the engine cover up to the rope guide.

Reinstall the fuel tank.

Position the engine cover on the engine and screw it into place.

Attach the spark plug wire and make sure the mower works properly.