Flywheel key?

[Shumanfoo]

Last week I had just changed the oil in my Craftsman 18.5 HP mower 917 series. As I was heading up my hill it started to chug a bit and then just quit. Would not turn over. After awhile I freed the flywheel but still no starting. I put in a new solenoid. Also changed the starter gear. Both flywheel and gear are spinning. I sprayed starter fluid into the intake to see if it was a fuel problem. Nope. Also checked the spark and that is fine. Now I did not hit something hard to te best of my knowledge last week. In the past yes I have hit roots and rocks. So b/4 I spring for a flywheel puller to see if the key is sheared is it possible to hit something previously and then weeks later the key breaks? About out of ideas. The mower is 12 years old also.
Thanks.

 

[EngineMan]

If you are unsure take the flywheel off and check it.

 

[Darryl G]

Local rental place and auto parts stores often rent tools if you can't justify purchasing a puller.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Last week I had just changed the oil in my Craftsman 18.5 HP mower 917 series. As I was heading up my hill it started to chug a bit and then just quit. Would not turn over. After awhile I freed the flywheel but still no starting. I put in a new solenoid. Also changed the starter gear. Both flywheel and gear are spinning. I sprayed starter fluid into the intake to see if it was a fuel problem. Nope. Also checked the spark and that is fine. Now I did not hit something hard to te best of my knowledge last week. In the past yes I have hit roots and rocks. So b/4 I spring for a flywheel puller to see if the key is sheared is it possible to hit something previously and then weeks later the key breaks? About out of ideas. The mower is 12 years old also.
Thanks.

Put a wrecking bar under the flywheel and lever the flywheel up hard then smack the end of the shaft hard and the flywheel will pop off.