Mercury Mariner 6hp 2 stroke kicks back

Mercury Mariner 6 hp 2 stroke tiller control made in Belgium.
Started happening this year --- when pulling the starter rope FROM COLD the rope will kick back after about the 3rd pull .
The motor would normally start after 2 pulls.
The 4th pull feels like the engine is hard to pull over but it will then start.
Once started it will start and stop all day without any problems --- just the slightest of pulls gets it running .
The fuel is fresh and the 2 stroke oil is the same as I have used for years and new.
Plugs have been replaced with same result ...
Any help would be appreciated please.
Thanks Regards Kevin

Used the motor today --- first time for weeks.
Found a photo taken in 2011 which just happened to show the motor and zooming in showed where the choke knob was set.
Rotated the knob anti clockwise so that the "pull to choke" writing was vertical ( couldn't read it without turning my head sideways !) as shown in the 2011 photo --- I've never messed with this knob but someone who changed the impeller for me earlier in the year must have.
Pulled knob out once,the motor started on the second pull and never kicked back -- just like it used to do .

Regards Kevin

Good news, but be very gentle with that glass-fragile recoil starter.

Jeff

Jeff,
Oh ok ---- what happens apart from the rope breaking ----- do the springs break ?
Thanks .
Regards

The whole thing breaks! Very fragile.

Jeff

Jeff.
Oh deep joy !!
I'm on the boat tomorrow so will have a look under the hood as I've not really taken any notice of the assembly.
Thanks .
Regards Kevin

One glance should do it.

Jeff

It's all in one piece ---- never knew it was plastic as I've not had any problems with it .
Will keep an eye on it .
Thanks