Split Key

 Well, this is new for me.  This is a Flywheel Shaft Key that is split in half lengthwise.  I've never seen a failure like this before.  It was mechanically curious anyway.  The metal is not magnetic, seems relatively light weight, but doesn't scratch easily, so maybe an aluminum alloy?  I thought shaft keys were made of hardened steel.  I dunno...  This was an unusual failure...

So, anyway the mower would crank good.  It seemed to be getting compression, and spark at first, and it tried to run a little.  So, I started looking at all the areas where I have seen failures before.  I cleaned the fuel system first, and flushed out the old gas.  After the fuel system clean up I tried cranking it some more.  Now it seems like it is not getting spark.  So I inspected, and tested the ignition system.  The ignition system seems to be working, so I had to dig a little deeper.  When I removed the Starter Bell on the end of the Crankshaft I found the split key.  Then it all became clear.  It's firing, but at the wrong time, like 40 degrees late.  So, anyway, I fabricated a new, steel key, put it back together, and it runs good...

Here is a shot of the Flywheel, and the Split Key before I disassembled it.  Funny how a tiny bit of metal can cause a whole lot of work..

Puffy Capacitor

 It is the hottest week of the Summer so far.  This is very stressful on your Environmental Control System.  Hotter Temperatures means the pressures go up, and the system runs a lot more.  These conditions will cause weak parts to fail.

Look at the terminals on this capacitor.  They are angled outward.  They should be parallel.  This is a visual indicator that this capacitor is bad.  It's "puffy" which in this case means that it has failed open.  When it is open no current flows.  In this case it is a Motor Run Capacitor.  With no current flowing to the Fan Motor, no air moves.  This was the Blower Motor Run Capacitor in the interior Air Handler.  We noticed that the house was getting warmer last night, and discovered that the Air Handler wasn't blowing cold air.  The Compressor, and Condenser Fan were running.  I did a little debugging last night, and found this Puffy Capacitor.  This morning I replaced it, and had the Air Conditioner running before the Sun got high...  Crisis averted...