Cant pull the rope but when you take the spark plug out the rope will pull

Remove spark plug and try again. If still hard to pull then most likely it needs new a new recoil starter.

take your spark plug out and reconnect it to your spark boot lay your plug up against the head of the mower now pull your pull rope if your spark plug fires off a little blue spark you have spark . if you have a spark tester you can attach one end to the plug the other to the boot and pull your rope if you see a glowing light it has spark .. note check your control cable if your control cable is not working it will not disengage your brake and not let the engine fire over .

Remove recoil rope assembly. Ensure rope is properly wrapped around. While recoil assembly is removed use ratchet and socket to rotate fly wheel, remove spark plug first, observe compression and exhaust at spark plug whole during rotation of fly wheel. Clean or replace spark plug. Ensure oil is full. 30w. Set spark plug gap. Always use Stabile in gas. Replace coil rope is required. Purchased by the foot at any mower repair store.

Remove spark plug. Pull rope several times to blow out cylinder. Spray WD 40 in spark plug hole. Pull rope several times. ensure compression is present. Replace spark plug with new one. Spray starting fluid in cylinder before replacing spark plug. Ensure plug wires snaps on tight. Check oil level, fill with 30w oil if required. All mowers have a low oil start cutoff. Clean or replace air filter.

Remove spark plug and observe condition. Fouled with oil, bad motor. With plug removed pull rope several times to blow out cylinder. Spray WD40 in spark plug hole, pull rope several times see if oil blows out. Spray a lot of starter fluid in spark plug hole, replace plug. Spray starter fluid in air cleaner area of carb, try to start. Replace spark plug, try to start. Ensure oil is full, all mowers have a low oil sensor now. 30w oil. Always use Stabile in gas.

I have a Homelite XL and was having problems with rope pulling from difficult to unable to pull rope while trying to start saw. I removed the muffler, squirted some WD40 through the exhaust port ABOVE and BELOW the piston compression ring. Then pulled the rope about 20 times without spark plug to fully lubricate the piston and cylinder. Left it till the next day, pulled it through about 20 more times, put the spark plug back in,and it works well now. Guess it was just gummed-up a little and the lubrication freed it.

if you have spark, then the carberator is plugged, replace it. Pull the spark plug, ground it to the engine, pull rope, whatch plug for spark. if no spark, remove kill switch wire from coil. pull rope agin, if you have spark, kill switch is bad. if stil no spark, you have bad coil.

to check for firing remove the spark plug insert it in the plug boot and pull the rope while watching to see if the plug sparks be carefull not to touch the plug electrode while pulling the rope or it will shock you. If you don't have a spark, try a different plug. If still no spark the coil could be bad.

If I understand what you are saying... The starter pulls smoothly with the starter cover removed or when installed and the plug removed (no compression or spark). If this is correct I think your saw's timing has slipped or maybe a defective decomp valve. Time to visit your neighborhood chainsaw seller/mechanic.HTH
Lou

Sounds like the spark plug is to long and is hitting the piston. Be very sure you have the correct plug.