Broken Flywheel key?

[martysauer]

I tried to pull off the flywheel nut this weekend (outboard engine) and although I was holding the flywheel and turning the nut, the nut was not loosening up any - and I could see the prop turning as I turned the wrench. Would that be further evidence that the flywheel key is broken?

Second part to my question. If so - how would one get the nut off without using air? (I don't have any air tools)

Thanks a million, Marty S.

 

[JB]

Re: Broken Flywheel key?

Yup. You have a sheared flywheel key.

I would try an impact wrench, the one that you put on the nut and then smack with a mallet.

Good luck.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Broken Flywheel key?

Uh-oh! How about an electric impact wrench?

 

[martysauer]

Re: Broken Flywheel key?

Thanks gents, I have a question - by electric impact wrench - do you mean my cordless drill/impact driver? Could that possibly have enough torque to get this thing off?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Broken Flywheel key?

Take it to a garage and have them remove it with a pneumatic impact gun. It will only take them a second and you won't break anything. Take your socket with you. Any tire place can do that.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Broken Flywheel key?

Take it to a garage and have them remove it with a pneumatic impact gun.

I agree. Trying to do things with inadequate tools just ruins the fun.
No, your cordless driver will not budge this. There are electric impact drivers that are similar to air powered ones.

 

[F_R]

Re: Broken Flywheel key?

Reading between the lines here, it sounds like the last guy removed the flywheel by beating on the nut with a sledge. That ruined the threads on the shaft and nut, making it impossible to properly tighten the nut to the correct torque spec. And that, my friends, is why the key sheared. Expect to find a battered shaft, nut, and keyways in the flywheel and crankshaft. This is what happens when somebody doesn't know what they are doing and/or doesn't have the proper tools.