Turning the V6-engine by hand: how?

Villyman · Post by **Villyman** » Tue May 15, 2018 7:50 pm

Good evening all!

I need to check my valve clearances but I struggle with turning the engine by hand. Do I really have to remove the crossmember (?) between the front suspension or is there another way? Even with the crossmember removed the pulleys are very close to the power steering housing.
Thanks in advance!

Cheers, Tim.

Post by **Coupe Racing** » Tue May 15, 2018 7:58 pm

Spark plugs out , a spanner on the alternator nut and adequate pressure on the fan belt

Post by **peter freeman** » Tue May 15, 2018 8:11 pm

With the plugs out you should be able to turn the engine with a screw driver in the alternator cooling fins - careful though

Post by **Old and Slow** » Tue May 15, 2018 9:50 pm

Jack up one rear wheel and put it in top (you don't have an LSD do you?)

Post by **Oldconn** » Wed May 16, 2018 9:18 am

Isit a 6 or a 5? On my 6A I can just get a socket & ratchet handle down between the radiator and the main crankshaft pulley . I think its a 18mm socket. Protect the rad gills with a big piece of thick cardboard, then I can turn the engine easily using the ratchet.

Post by **scimjim** » Wed May 16, 2018 9:19 am

Yep, I couldn’t visualise the problem either. AFAIK you should be able to get a socket on the crank pulley of all GTE models?

Post by **manny** » Wed May 16, 2018 9:23 am

i did it with a 3/8? socket on the crank bolt..i think?

Post by **Nick** » Wed May 16, 2018 9:39 am

Socket on crank pulley is best

Martin Rowe · Post by **Martin Rowe** » Wed May 16, 2018 10:41 am

if its a manual, stick it in 4th gear, make sure theres room behind, then push it backwards when required to turn the engine.

Post by **MarkHawkins** » Wed May 16, 2018 10:47 am

I find a 16 mm socket (on a ratchet) on the crank pulley is easiest and gives best control. You may have to remove the spare wheel for better access. Having said that, I've only worked on non PAS Essex engined cars.

Post by **Nigel Clark** » Wed May 16, 2018 11:19 am

I find a small spark plug socket (16mm across flats) with a ratchet works well. The plug socket is deep enough to get to the head of the bolt inside the crank pulley but can still just slip in behind the front suspension cross brace.

Alternatively, with plugs out put the 'box in 4th and roll the car , as above.

Nigel

Post by **Coupe Racing** » Wed May 16, 2018 11:48 am

manny wrote: ↑
Wed May 16, 2018 9:23 am
i did it with a 3/8? socket on the crank bolt..i think?

5/8 from memory

Post by **philhoward** » Wed May 16, 2018 2:53 pm

5/8"(16mm) sounds right to me.

Villyman · Post by **Villyman** » Thu May 17, 2018 9:52 pm

Good evening all! Thanks for your replies! As it's an automatic gearbox it won't be possible with turning the rear wheels. I tried to get aces with a socket but I don't have the space ... My cranck pulley consists of 3 pulleys: 1 for the alternator and waterpump, a second for the powersteeringpump and then a third one which isn't in use ... I know this would be the easiest way but it doesn't seem to work. When I changed my cam gear (for an alu one) and the crossmember was removed, I got acces easily.
Thanks, Tim.

Post by **scimjim** » Thu May 17, 2018 10:00 pm

Surely the two additional pullies should have holes in the centre so that you can get a long reach socket onto the crank bolt?