My flywheel on my 8hp engine is stuck, please help?

Question

Hey I have a 8hp gokart thats been having starting problems with the key ignition(this was the problem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17R2z2fvi8s) and I just finally found out it has a pullstart too that just had a broken string. I removed the pullstarter and found a little string left but the spring wasn't recoiling right. I handwound the string and put the pullstart back on, trying to start it and it sounded like it wanted to start. I tried this few times, then decided to start trying to fix the spring recoil and string instead so I could give it a real pull. A few minutes later I tried turning the flywheel by hand, and its NOT MOVING AT ALL! Im afraid the engines locked up. I removed the sparkplug and it looks like the pistons at the top. Can anyone explain in detail a few steps to try to take and see if it will break free? Ive read you can pour oil into the sparkplug hole(not sure how much?) and that could free it. Its low on oil and Im going to put some more in it, but would that be an immediate solution to the problem or would it be something else? Please explain any suggestions/steps you have, I really appreciate it! Im not worried about fixing the starter or electrical right now, I just want to get that flywheel loose so I know its not seized!

Answer 1

It depends on how low it is on engine. If it low on oil for a long period, and has been running, or sitting for a while, you can seize your engine up due to friction. If thats the problem, then you are in for some real work. If you cannot move the flywheel at ALL, you are going to need to top it off with oil, give it a shake, then try and break it free. Then cycle the engine by hand a few times to get everything lubed up. It never hurts to truly break your engine down and find the true problem. From what you suggested, it sounds like your engine is seized up...bad. You might have melted your piston rings. There are usualy 3 to 4 bolts holding the flywheel in place, so try either getting a wrench on them, and using it to turn the whole thing, or you can remove the flywheel. Good luck.

Answer 2

First of all, What make is the engine? Briggs, Kohler, Tecumseh, Honda, Kubota etc. After fixing the recoil starter, did you have it running at all? It sounds to me that the magneto has somehow gotten loose and jamming against the flywheel. On a Briggs engine there should be an air gap of at least 15 to 25 thousands of an inch. If the magneto is pressing against the flywheel, this acts like putting the brakes on in a car! I'd try setting the mag first, if this doesn't work, there is a square keystock key on a Briggs and a half moon shaped key on the earlier Kohlers and Tecumsehs that holds the flywheel to the crankshaft! These are made of soft metal and meant to "shear" if the engine such as that of a lawnmower hits an obstacle instead of breaking the crankshaft! What you need to do is loosen the nut that holds the flywheel onto the crankshaft, and remove this nut and locking washer. Next take a small pry bar, place it behind the flywheel and onto a secure spot on the block. put pressure on this bar and with a soft rubber or wooden mallet, tap the front of the crankshaft. You will feel a sudden pop and the flywheel should be now free from the crank. Inspect both flywheel and crank for signs of a sheared key and replace with an original. These keys only costs around a dollar, but can cause a lot of headaches! These keys are a safety device for the engine! A dollar sheared off key is a lot cheaper to repair than a $1000.00 race engine!! Good Luck! I hope this solves your "lock-up" problem!!

Answer 3

The engine is probably seized up. If you have a crankshaft pulley on the front put a socket and long breaker bar on the bolt in the center and try to turn the crankshaft directly.