"Stub1" wrote in message
oups.com...
Attempted to remove the blade for sharpening but could not.

The most obvious thing to check is to make sure you are turning it the
proper direction - is it left hand or right hand thread?

And use a big enough, proper sized wrench.
Hint - Most of the nuts are locking - they don't "spin" off unless they
are worn. DO NOT use a split washer and ordianry in place of the factory
lock nut.

So I
attempted to sharpen the blade without removing it (it's OK, I still
have all my digits...)

You can't sharpen a blade mounted on the mower without some probability of
engine damage- because the blade spins, it needs to be balanced after
sharpening so it doesn't "get heavy" on one side due to centrfugal force and
wear out the motor bearings in short order.

Trouble is, when I try to start, the started
cord won't pull--at all.

If you hung it up over the winter, or if you tipped it too far off level
when sharpening it, chances are the oil/gas has filled the cylinder and it
is locked up. (Or you blocked the blade for shrapening and left the block
on...)

DO NOT TRY TO START IT - PULL OFF THE PLUG WIRE UNTIL THE CYLINDER IS
CLEARED SO NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN

Pull the plug and pull the drain out the oil/gasoline, then pull the
starter to check that the engine is turning; then clean the plug (don't
touch the ceramic with your hands- the white part that goes into the
cylinder) with gasoline or alcohol.


I did turn the blade a few times while
sharpening but can seem to get the cord to pull at all--any suggestions?

It sounds like oil/gas filled the cylinder -