Method to remove crankshaft pulley

Question

I am attempting to remove the bolt that holds the crankshaft pulley. However, even with a long bar, the car in sixth gear and the brake on, it was not possible to undo the bolt. I found online that another way to loosen the bolt is to rest the bar against a part of the chassis and then turn the engine over. However, having tried this, the starter motor didn't have enough power to loosen the bolt.

I have been thinking of another way to loosen the bolt, and I have thought of my own method. I can't find any information about such a method online, so I am looking for some advice about whether this method would work.

My proposed method is to take the car to a small hill and place the bar against a part of the chassis. Then, with the engine off, press the clutch and then once the car is barely moving (1mph or less), lift the clutch up to crank the engine over, with the hope being that this can exert a little more torque than the starter motor on the bolt.

My main worry with this method though is that it may cause damage to another component. Other than the obvious risk of damage (shearing the bolt and/or damaging a part of the bar), would this method pose any more of a risk to another part of the car/engine than the cranking over method?

Answer 1

Use an impact gun to remove the bolts. If one isn't available, take a look at the ring-gear for the starter motor attached to the fly-wheel at the bellhousing end of the engine and see if you can wedge something in there. In the past I've had success with a large flat-blade screwdriver tight against the ring-gear to stop the engine turning at the flywheel end.

Please don't explore the method you've described any further. There are too many risks. What if the wrench jams and stops the engine from turning whilst the car is building momentum down the hill? What if the method works and you find yourself at the bottom of a hill with a partially disassembled engine? What if the shock causes your timing belt to jump a tooth with the engine still turning?

I bought a very inexpensive electric impact gun from amazon. If you don't have one and don't want the expense of buying one, approach local garages / vehicle owners clubs / tool hire places and see if you can beg / borrow / hire one.

My father always says "The right tool for the right job" and this feels like an instance where this advice is sage.

Good luck.