Hayter / Flywheel Key Disappeared Down The Crankshaft Bolt Hole

[pooleyr]

Hayter 13/30 Ride On Mower With 12.5HP Briggs and Stratton Engine

I was refitting the flywheel and the 15mm x 5mm x 4mm key fell into the bolt hole in the crankshaft.

I am assuming the bolthole is blind and going nowhere.

Because it is full of water as rain found its way in there while the bolt was out. (In spite of the numerous tarps over it).

Am I ok to leave it there and buy a new one?

Or do I need to figure out how to pull it out?

I'm going to need a very thing magnetic wand.

All mine are too big.

What do you all think?

Cheers

 

[StarTech]

Use a magnetize long screwdriver type Torx or hex bit provided it is a steel key.

 

[pooleyr]

Use a magnetize long screwdriver type Torx or hex bit provided it is a steel key.

Thanks for the response but the key is actually not magnetic.
I remembered I tested it after I took it off when I was measuring it.
I might give it a go with stick and a blob of something sticky on the end of it.

 

[Douglas Lee]

Maybe grease?
*

 

[hlw49]

Try blowing it out with compressed air.

 

[pooleyr]

Maybe grease?
*

Thanks for the effort.
But I found these in the medicine cabinet.
Perfect fit.

 

[sgkent]

glad you got it out. There was a chance that the bolt would not seat or worse. Put grease on that seal and clean it will before putting the pulley on or the rust and grit will eat the seal.

 

[pooleyr]

Try blowing it out with compressed air.

Thanks for the effort.
But I found these in the medicine cabinet.
Perfect fit.

glad you got it out. There was a chance that the bolt would not seat or worse. Put grease on that seal and clean it will before putting the pulley on or the rust and grit will eat the seal.

Cheers
I would have cut the tip off the bolt had that been the case.
All back together now.
I used copper grease anti-seize on the fasteners including the main flywheel bolt.
Cleaned out the crud from the magnets in the flywheel too.
It was more than a little bunged up which can affect the magnetic field and the spark quality.
Good as new now.
The the ignition at least.
The engine is still hunting though.
Got a new carb on order.

 

[sgkent]

hit by a parts cannon misfire, eh?

 

[pooleyr]

hit by a parts cannon misfire, eh?

It's old.
It was under a tarp for a decade or more.
No crank.
Trying to get it going for an elderly neighbour.
Starter solenoid terminal was broken off.
Obvious problem.
Replaced it. Still no crank.
Solenoid fuse holder was damaged so replaced that.
Cranked but no start.
Tested the seat and bin switches. No continuity.
Which shouldn't be a problem actually because they are NC.
Internal springs rusted and broken.
Replaced them.
Cranked but no start.
Checked for spark at plug. No spark.
Replaced the plug. No spark.
Removed the ignition coil and tested the resistance.
43 kOhms. Should be 3 - 5 kOhms. Bad coil.
Replaced the ignition coil. Spark.
Engine started but running rough. Backfiring.
Air filter black as sin. Replaced it along with the fuel filter,
Still running rough and backfiring,
Suspected ignition timing issue.
Removed the flywheel to inspect the key for damage.
No key damage.
Cleaned out a bunch of crud that was bridging the flywheel magnets.
Drained the fuel and replaced with fresh E10.
Reassembled.
Starts instantly but still hunting.
Ordered a new carburettor. Two week delivery time.
In the meantime I will remove and break down the current one.
I haven't done a compression test yet but I don't think it will be that.