John Deere L-100 Stuck flywheel

[msfraytet]

John Deere L-100 flywheel moves part way around then sticks (Sounds like something inside hits a bolt head) and won't start. Any ideas as to cause? Broken piston ring? Journal bearing broken?

Mike in California.

 

[ILENGINE]

Take the spark plug out and will looking into the cylinder see if the piston moves up and down when you turn the flywheel. If not then the rod is broken. From your description I would that is probably the case.

 

[msfraytet]

Used a small bar inserted into the sparkplug hole noting a 3 inch or so displacement of piston. Although piston moved somewhat irradically as we rotated the flywheel. Thanks for your insight and help. Any other reasons why flywheel sticks when we try to start? Regards, Mike in California