Hi Paul, yes I know you can replace the cord without removing the starter, I don't think you can achieve anything with the starter by removing it anyway. The motor I'm having problems with I haven't had apart but it starts instantly first pull. I agree it sounds like an air leak but I'm not sure where it would be because as far as I can see there is only the 2 "O" rings that could cause the problem. What I am going to try is Bumps carby which we have pulled apart umpteen times withe varying degrees of success, put it on my motor and see what that achieves.
