Lots of resistance pulling on cold starts

[jglauser]

Whenever I haven't used this lawnmower for about 2+ days, it is very very difficult to get it started. I counted today and it was around pull 50 that it got started. The pull cord has a ton of resistance for the first 20-ish pulls. After 20ish pulls, I can start pulling the cord smoother although it still has resistance. Around 40ish pulls it seems to pull like a regular lawnmower. Late 40s pulls, it starts to sputter a little bit but never cranks until I get to around my 50th pull, when it actually turns over and starts.

After it starts, it's golden. I can turn it off and start it back up again first pull. Even if I try to start it 8 hours after I had it running, it's not hard to get it running. But, if I wait too long, that resistance on the pull builds up again.
I've checked the brake cable and made sure it was releasing from the flywheel completely and that the kill wire works properly. The recoil assembly looks just fine. I've cleared the shroud of any debris as well as near the blade underneath. I got a new spark plug and I've tried pulling the cord with and without the spark plug in.

Any ideas or advice?

 

[bertsmobile1]

I get real tempted to give you instructions for rebuilding a Power Torque decompressor valve which will be of no use to you unless of course you happen to be trying to start a Victa mower.
How do you expect people to diagnose a problem without telling them what engine in which mower

However I shall refrain from exercising my warped sense of humour and mention that your symptoms are similar to what happens when the decompressor is not working .
Generally this is because the valve lash is way too big .

 

[TylerFrankel1]

Well have you checked the oil? What type of mower is this on and what type of engine? It somehow sounds like all film strength is gone from the oil or something since it slowly becomes easier to pull. Or the compression release is functioning but only after a long time.