My recoil starter for a techumseh engine does not engage sometimes when pulled. It started first about 2 years ago for a little while and it hasn't been a problem for about a year and a half. When it doesnt engage, I just push on the plastic center lock tab on the recoil and it will catch. I pulled it apart and cleaned the dogs and springs, everything seems to work fine. Does it have to do with the center pin being worn down? It's odd that it is doing it again after a year and a half with no problems.

yes, usually the center pin goes bad once you take it apart once, a new recoil assembly is usually only around $20