HOW TO Replace the Flywheel KEY on your Lawnmower with Tecumseh Engine (fix kickback problem)

[Ramaniac007]

what a dandy !

[dragon124356]

my lawn mower does the same thing but i dont have that tool to remove my flywheel what can i use to get it off? u can c it in the vid i sent

[Stevokiwi]

I have just bought a used 21" Tecumseh power lawnmower that has a bit of kickback when starting. It starts and runs fine. I pulled the flywheel off to replace the key but its as good as gold.

What else could cause the kickback.

It has Centura XLC and Excelsior labels on the cover.

Its an OVRM105 21044F (E) D.O.M 0242J

Could you please decipher the engine code and DOM. I have no idea how many HP either.

Cheers Stevo

[Amopower]

Are flywheels always hard to remove, or just the ones where the key gets sheared? I dont think I ever had to pull a flywheel off where the key wasnt sheared, but my guess is that if the key isnt sheared, the flywheel may come off alot easier.

[donyboy73]

@Amopower yes you are correct, flywheels with a sheared keyway are usually harder to remove

[Amopower]

@donyboy73 thanks. Do you have any advice on what size bolts to use to thread into the flywheel? I have already stripped the three pre-cut holes (the puller pulled the bolts right up through the threads the bolts made). Same thing happened on three new holes I made although I got the flywheel off. I bought a new one so I want to make sure this doesnt happen again. Self-tapping screws? size? probably depends on the model, i have a tecumseh 6.75 toro. thanks

[donyboy73]

@Amopower it's a 1/4' threads bolts

[fidoshock321]

hes lucky he didnt bend the shaft

[Rarrin9378]

when does a tecumseh not have a problem? LOL

[thumasta666]

if this happens on an ohv engine is it possible that it will mess up the pushrods or anything?? im trying to fix a john deer js45 push mower with the briggs 8.75 ft/lb engine, and its kicking and not starting like the key is broken, but it makes a kind of a metal knocking sound when it goes around.. just wondering what this could be.. thanks

[thumasta666]

@thumasta666 oh yeah, also checked the valve clearance it was good, so i dont know what would be making the noise..

[lburbo23]

@thumasta666

I had the same problem when the shear key broke on my Craftsman. You should definitely have a look at the key.

[mike26138]

thanks donyboy73 . mine won't start. tec. 6hp 2001 craftsman. i've replace dirty airfilter, cleaned carband plug. i put to much oil in it. but even before that it was hard to start when it was hot.

[carculca]

What is the exact size of that key ? Thanks for respond.

[TheFreddie22]

Thank you for posting this video....I was going to roll the mower to the curb this morning... but took it apart and the key was broken. I'm off to the lawn and garden shop now!!

Thanks again!!

Paul.

[mckinzi1]

don't know if you added it in there somewhere but older Tec motors use a single mounting point (shoulder screw) on the starter housing. you must drain the oil prior to taking the housing loose....or you'll find a mess on da garage floor. fyi steel key is common to LV195 motors on the Toro Recyclers and some other later model mowers. the "L" shape key is common to quite a few Tec motors. fyi #2 pull spark plug wire initially and if you find the 'kick' goes away it's the f/w key.

[pivotboy63]

i dont think your supposed to use a steel key cause if he hits a stump or something the flywheel could split in half. at least thats how it is on briggs im not sure if tec is different

[donyboy73]

@pivotboy63 that is the OEM part for that mower, other tecumseh lawnmowers have an aluminum key

[weasel884]

thats a smooth running tec! and looks sharp!

[MitrBnsdrty]

I am a 'broke'-chanic - when I try to fix things, I end up making it worse. Your videos are very informative and I am sure to learn a lot from your detailed explanations. Thank you for the well produced videos. Good job on the closeups and descriptions. You will save me a grass-catcher bag full of money.

Cheers!

[donyboy73francais]

@MitrBnsdrty you're welcome man

[jimmy86gti]

very informative,i found a mower in my neighborhood setting out for the garbage,it has the same symptoms oil all over the sides and one hell of a kickback,i think this will fix it,thanks for the help!

[th19940305]

I have one with this kind of motor by Tecumseh and the carb will prime if i blow air into it with a compressor with the bulb off, but if i put it on it wont prime and i checked the bulb for cracks and there was non, it was in good shape. Anything you can think of? IT gets gas in the carb and all, all jets are clean too. Any ideas?

Good Video

[killahhh199]

nice vid but i don't think you are suppose to use a steal fly wheel key because if it hits something it could break the fly wheel itself in half because the aluminum is much softer than steal.

[donyboy73]

@killahhh199 this particular model uses the steel key, in my vid it is an OEM part

[killahhh199]

@donyboy73 oh i see

[th19940305]

Nice video but can i get the wheel off without the puller?

[donyboy73]

@th19940305 it's going to be hard and something might break

[jhnvallejo]

@th19940305 there a knock off tool that you can use it screws on the top of the crankshaft you would screw it down till there's is about an inch between the flywheel use a large Flathead screw driver and a hammer strike the knock off tool while applying slight pressure with the screw driver and the flywheel will come off 

[visitpowertooltech]

20 years doing lawn and garden repair, 8 years at distributer for electrical power tools doing durability test and repair, now I do consulting for the tool industry and an ocassional repair here and there.

[visitpowertooltech]

I have watched about 20 of your videos, you are definatley a seasoned pro. I spent about 20 years in the buisness and find you are thourough, complete, use the right tools plus you look ahead when doing the repair. Your vids brought back a lot of memories, and I saw a lot of the same techniqes in your videos that i used. Your videos are professional and enjoyable, keep up the good work.

[donyboy73]

@visitpowertooltech thanks man

[donyboy73]

@visitpowertooltech r u a powertool tech by the way?

[FatVsSkinnyShow]

where can you get one of those pullers?

[donyboy73]

@FatVsSkinnyShow u can get them on ebay or an auto store

[ringbolt9]

quick efficient job as usual Don! I just had one that kicks back a lot. checked the flywheel key and its good. blade is tight. so i assume its a bent crankshaft or maybe the compression realese is messed up.

[donyboy73]

@ringbolt9 usually replacing the keyway will do

[ringbolt9]

quick efficient job as usual Don! I just had one that kicks back a lot. checked the flywheel key and its good. blade is tight. so i assume its a bent crankshaft or maybe the compression realese is messed up.

[nckcanna]

looks like like new! i like how you clean them up! sweet

[donyboy73]

@nckcanna people come to get their mower and can't recognize it

[seasonedtoker]

one question though ... isn't it neccessary to use aluminium keys on aluminium flywheels so it doesn't damage the flywheel next time it slips?

[donyboy73]

@seasonedtoker for some reason this one is made of steel and an OEM part as well

[1972FordF150]

Cool video dude ! thumbs up !

[donyboy73]

@1972FordF150 thanks man

[1972FordF150]

@donyboy73 No problem !

[snaponjohn100]

Hey man. Right before I found your videos, I ordered a 5 DVD set from lawnmowermandotcom. It was $109 US dollars. They don't compare with your videos. When u r removing a part, u zoom in so close it's as if it is right in my hand. I wish that u made arrangments to accept donations. When u do, I will send a few bucks your way. I think that others would, too. Thanks again for having the best quality videos on YouTube!!!!!

[donyboy73]

@snaponjohn100 @snaponjohn100 wow thanks. I do accept donations at my paypal account at donyboy73atyahoodotcom. a guy from Norway just sent me $50 the other day. it made me realize just how much people appreciate my videos

[seasonedtoker]

@snaponjohn100 cancel your order immediately because this guy is working hard for us to share.

[kmtischer]

Keep your videos coming.  I'm a tinkerer. I learn a lot from your videos. Much Thanks

[therockkkkher]

one thumb up, (thats all i can give, lol) hey man you dont know the year of that craftzman do ya ?

[snaponjohn100]

Fantastic!! 5 stars. Great job showing the puller and tapping the holes. I am impressed at how u clean your mowers before u release them to the customer. U run a " Cadallac " shop. :-)

[donyboy73]

@snaponjohn100 thanks man

[IPCZX]

you make good videos i like them

[donyboy73]

@IPCZX thanks dude

[VE9REJ]

Good Repair Dony