AboutEric A. Jones Expertise Lawnmower Repair . Certified Master Service Technician from B&S. Have 13 years experience on B&S, Lawn Chief, Weed Eater, Echo, Peerless, Wheel Horse, Snapper, Atlas, MTD, McCulloch, Homelite and many other numerous brands. Specialize in electrical repair.
Experience Born and raised in the midwest. Started tinkering with engines when I was about 14 on my Suzuki RM-80. I began lawn mower repair at a small hardware store. I knew absolutely nothing. I read lots of repair manuals and met an older fellow who taught me many lessons. I continued working on small engines through high school and paid my way through college working on mowers at the same hardware store. Decided to get away from the midwest and mower repair so I joined the Air Force. I repaired air traffic control electronic equipment and ended up in Hawaii where I got a part time job at Small Engine Clinic. I gained a lot of experience from the Small Engine Clinic and had a blast repairing small engines. I then took the Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician test and earned my MST. I then traveled to Wisconsin where I attended the factory update training seminar and received formal training. I received a scholarship from the Air Force and am currently pursuing another degree.
Question QUESTION: i bought a craftsman riding lawn mower it has the18 kolher motor. the guy i buoght it from said that the stators wires got riped out and i took off the flywheel to replace it but i did have the money to replace and it was there . well when i put the key in then put the flywheel back on and nowit doesnt want to it tends to with choke on it will stop the motor as it tries to start and sometimes backfires and i can get the flywheel back off. You think it could be the timing and how could i get the flywheel back, I tried using a harmonic banlacer puller(which took it of there the first time)but it would not take it off again Tried heat
ANSWER: Is the flywheel key sheard? DO NOT heat the flywheel or crankshaft!
Are there bolt holes in the center of the flywheel?
Let me know.
Eric
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QUESTION: yes but it will bend or break any bolts i use to try to pull it off with
Answer WOW! Here is a trick but this can be DANGEROUS.
Install a flywheel puller in/on the flywheel. Tighten down the puller snuggly, not enough to bend the flywheel but tight enough there is significant pressure on the flywheel.
Get some SAFETY GOOGLES!! Take 2 large mallets, 2-4 pounds. Place one mallet on top of the crankshaft/flywheel puller. Holding both hammer handles, take the the other hammer and hit the first hammer that is resting on top of the puller. The energy transfer from the hammers will sometimes know the flyweel loose but I have been told that this same energy can shatter both hammers so that is why you want to wear SAFETY GOOGLES.
DO NOT hit the crankshaft direclty!! You should always have a nut threaded about halfway down on the crankshaft threads to prevent damage to the crankshaft.
Let me know if this helps.
Eric
