Flywheel spins without resistance?

[DaveTN]

I've been working on mowers for over 30 years and although I have a flywheel puller, I rarely if ever use it. I take a flat punch and lightly hammer around the shaft but be careful not to hit the threads. Put a big screwdriver, or big flat wrench under the flywheel and pull up on it as you hit the top of the crankshaft sticking out the flywheel. be sure to have the flywheel nut on flush with the top so when you hit it with a hammer and be sure to put a piece of wood on top of it first. That should jar the flywheel loose. Might also squirt some JB penetranting oil around the threads before you tap it with the flat punch and hammer. I've always had success with this method. no need to go buy a puller!!

 

[reynoldston]

If it is truly spinning because of a bad key, you don't need a puller, it's already loose. If it's not loose, the lack of resistance means much worse, like the connecting rod broken off and just out of the way enough to not hit the crank. From the looks of the video, it doesn't sound like the piston is sliding back and forth like it should.

I would suggest that you read this post again before buying a flywheel puller. If your flywheel is that loose on the crankshaft you don't need a flywheel puller.

 

[jrol]

I have tried a couple of methods, and even thought it spins like that it doesn't seem loose at all. Three local repair guys I showed the video to around here said the same thing. It seems like a rod.