L245 won't turn over

[pjsuburby]

Hi, I have an L245 that was running perfect. Turned it off last week, tried to start 10 minutes later and now, will NOT turn over. I swapped a new battery into it, had the starter and solenoid rebuilt, cleaned Pos and Neg cables and posts both ends, nothing. Checked the voltage from the key start, perfect. Even jumped the solenoid with a screwdriver to eliminate the key switch, nothing. Checked Pos and Neg wires, perfect.
The symptom is a click when the starter engages, then nothing. I am guessing that it is more a frozen engine than a starter/electrical issue. What is the best way to try to turn the engine by hand? Pull the starter and try to turn the flywheel? Is that possible to turn with a screwdriver against the teeth? Should I try to put in in gear and rock the tires a bit to turn the engine?
Any ideas are appreciated as I have basic mechanical skills but none with diesel engines.
The engine did overheat a few years ago and stalled but has run great for the last 5 years after that (radiator problem, fixed)
Weather is mild (Central Fl) so no true freezing potential problems.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Take the starter and alternator off and have them both tested at an auto parts store, sounds to me like it could be either one. I'm leaning more toward the alternator but as you stated the starter has been rebuilt which can still be bad.

 

[pjsuburby]

Thanks, good ideas. I did already check both Alternator and starter. Both are good.

 

[dusty-t]

From the sounds of it you need to find out if that engine is seized or if there is something external that is holding the engine. What that could be I have no Idea. To turn the engine by hand see if there is a nut on the alternator or the crankshaft (if you can get to the crankshaft?) . Put a wrench or socket on the nut and see if you can move the engine back and forth a few inches. If the tractor has a decompressor use it. The engine should not be hard to turn. Hope this helps. Keep us posted. Dusty

 

[Eric McCarthy]

I know my dad ran into a similar problem with his L275, he put on new starter and alternator and ended up having to replace he key ignition.