One time the handle came off the pull cord on ours (handle is on with a flimsy stopper) and the cord disappeared inside somewhere.
I had to take the Honda 3000 apart--lots of bolts etc- took a long time and got at the cord. Huge PITA. Got it all back together and now I tied the handle back on with a proper stopper knot (figure 8 knot) Been ok since.
Allow a day for the job and don't rush or you will lose track of what goes where for putting it back together. Won't take all day, but you don't want to have a deadline.
