Small Engine Repair

[CBCNei]

Greetings! First time at this web site and I hope I can find some help. My trusty MTD 5 hp rototiller picked up a rock and lodged it solidly between the tines and the cover above the tines. The motor made bad noises, lurched and stopped quickly. After I got the rock removed and the machine started again - usually on pull, many after this incident - the motor idles slowly and I had less tilling power than a toddler with a dinner fork. Perhaps this is a good time for me to begin learning about small engine repair. Perhaps not. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Eric

[Farmer Willy]

Try posting in the shop forum, see if any of those folks can help ya out.

[agmantoo]

The flywheel on the small engine typically has an aluminum key. I am of the opinion that the key is partially sheared and that the timing is now off. You will have to remove the flywheel and replace the key if I am correct.

[MELOC]

i bet agmantoo is right. that is actually a good thing. those keys are a good feature. it normally saves the shaft.