Pull cord....

high lifter makes a replacement plate means you wont have a pull start

I guess that would be better than it filling up with mud and water!

just take it off, put a bead of silicon around it before you bolt it back on the engine, then then put a dab of silicon on the top where the handle goes in, so in a bind you will still have it to use insted of gettin rid of it.

Thanks dude! I really don't want to take it off in case I do need it. I think thats what I'll do. I'm going to be running my vent lines tomorrow and I'll do that while I'm at it.

i think theres a post in the "how to" form..