iloveporsches

I used the rope trick (insert x amount of rope into the cylinder via the spark plug hole to compress and keep engine form turning) to tighten down my crankshaft pulley bolt. Now I can't crank the engine over by hand, even with all of the plugs removed. I can turn a little, and then there's just way too much resistance, much more than normal. Did I just do what I'm really, really, really hoping I didn't?

DangerIsland

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> Wow, never heard of the "rope trick" but it sounds scary as hell! I don't think I would have done that, but that's another story.

Did as much rope come out as went in? Does it feel like there's a "soft" resistence (like, from a piece of stray rope?) does it happen if you're turning it in both directions? Does it happen with the piston is at TDC or near it? I'm really hoping you didn't do what I think you did too

iloveporsches

The same amount of rope that went in came out. It's not a "soft" resistance--it's nothing and then hard. It happens in both directions too, and I can get maybe 1/8th of a turn.

If it is what I think it is, can the timing just be reset? Or did I do something terminal to the engine?

PorscheG96

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by iloveporsches:
<strong>If it is what I think it is, can the timing just be reset? Or did I do something terminal to the engine?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Are you CERTAIN that your flywheel and crank timing marks are lined up at TDC?

I know exactly what you're talking about, a valve is hitting a piston. This happened during my last belt change...the cam just needed to be corrected a few teeth and then everything was fine. Good luck.

iloveporsches

I can't check now, but I'm 99.99% sure they were. Also, I turned the engine over 4+ times by hand with no problems. This only happened after I tried taking another stupid shortcut. I'm really regretting not just getting that damn flywheel lock now <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

iloveporsches

Ok, how do I correct the timing? This will require 'the tool' right?

Or how much would it be to have it towed to a shop and have them reset the timing? Would it be the same job, or pretty much, as a retension? I have free towing (AAA), and a free retension coming my way. I really don't trust myself with something as vital as the timing belt, and the car needs to be back together soon.

83Green944

Resetting the timing is pretty easy. Just set #1 piston to TDC (with a screwdriver down the spark plug hole or a friend watching with a flashlight) And turn the cam until the mark on the cam sprocket and the mark on the cam housing line up. Just make sure that you are on the end of the compression stroke.

PorscheG96

There's no tool required simply to CHECK the timing. You can only do this if the engine will turn enough to get the timing marks to TDC. If you can't THEN it will require removing [or loosening] the timing belt, and the tensioning tool to get it back together properly.

In a nutshell, if you can turn the engine to check TDC then do that. If you can't turn it to TDC then have it towed to a shop.

iloveporsches

Looks like it's getting towed then.

Any estimates on labor costs?

PorscheG96

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by iloveporsches:
<strong>Looks like it's getting towed then.

Any estimates on labor costs?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I think your car is fine...the crank pulley slipped when the nut became loose and as you turned it, the crank went out of time with the cam [cam turning, crank wasn't]...no big deal.

I think labor will be about the same as a belt re-tensioning at 1500 miles...1.5-2 hours.

iloveporsches

I guess I'll call around Monday and get some estimates. Of course, thanks for all of the help.

83Green944

If your timing is already out, can't you take off your timing belt and turn the cam and see if your crank with then turn? If you can get the engine to TDC, it is pretty basic to get it back into time.

iloveporsches

I *could*, but I don't want to. It seems to be a fairly complicated process, and I really don't have the time any more. I have about 15 scholarship applications due soon, plus a few intern applications, all the rest of the college crap, plus I just want this done, quickly and, more importantly, correctly.

83Green944

Yeah, time restraints are always taking me away from doing much needed work on the car
Well good luck and I hope it turns out well for you.

Dal Heger

There is a TDC mark on the flywheel. Get under the car (correctly supported with jackstands) and look at the bell housing. There is a 1/4 inch notch at the bottom of the bell housing. Turn the flywheel until you can see the mark on the flywheel, it's an engraved slit in the flywheel, you really can't miss it.

There is also a corresponding mark on the cam pulley. You can see it when you remove the rubber plug from the cam housing. Make sure that these line up. If they don't move them until they do, then put the timing belt back on, making sure that there is no slack from the cam pulley to the crank pulley (right side).

Don't use any other means of checking for TDC, they are not accurate enough.

Dal.