When the car is in first gear, off, and tires on the ground, should the crank move? Or is that a sign of a compression leak?

Thanks,
Zach

what do u mean?? the crank spins when the car is on off?? don't think its compression, sounds more like a clutch issue. are you trying to start the car w/ the car in first gear and ur foot off the clutch??

nvm I guess not

Wheels are connected via the transmission/clutch, clutch is connected to the crank, you spin the crank the wheels should move if in gear.
So if you're under it and wrenching on the crank bolt the car should try and run you over. Or just the opposite you can use the car being in gear to take the bolt out easier.

If the spark plugs are all removed then yes it will turn very easily, no resistance and no way to build compression.

But simply wrenching on the crank can in no way give an indication of compression numbers.

Wheels are connected via the transmission/clutch, clutch is connected to the crank, you spin the crank the wheels should move if in gear.
So if you're under it and wrenching on the crank bolt the car should try and run you over. Or just the opposite you can use the car being in gear to take the bolt out easier.

If the spark plugs are all removed then yes it will turn very easily, no resistance and no way to build compression.

But simply wrenching on the crank can in no way give an indication of compression numbers.

When trying to replace a crankshaft pulley it will spin (which I have read to be normal) The car doesn't roll freely but when turning the crankshaft you are turning the cams which are opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves. I guess that's the way I understand it. I'm not sure how the clutch and flywheel tie in but I guess I would have to be turning it a lot more for the wheels to try to move on me.

Um most people undo the spark plugs wires and then crank it over to break the crankshaft pulley bolt free.

I put my CFM high flow cat on and was going to do the lightweight pulley at the same time. I'm not going to mess with it.

I assume it's only spinning slightly. Not a full or even half revolution? If this is the case, it's normal. There will be just a little freeplay when the car is in gear.

The reason you are able to turn the engine over is because you're turning that bolt, and that bolt is usually very tight!

I don't know what you mean about undoing spark plugs and cranking it to break the pulley bolt free. That makes no sence, UNLESS the idea is to leave the breaker bar connected and resting against something? Using the starter to break the bolt free? That idea doesn't sound very comforting to me.

Just put the car in 1st or reverse and put a breaker bar on the crank bolt. Grab yer nuts and get that sucker loose! And make sure you're going the right way. I don't know whether it's left or right handed threads on these cars...

When trying to replace a crankshaft pulley it will spin (which I have read to be normal).



If the pulley isn't on far enough to catch the key, yes. Otherwise no it will not spin freely. If it does you have problems, sheered key perhaps.

If the pulley isn't on far enough to catch the key, yes. Otherwise no it will not spin freely. If it does you have problems, sheered key perhaps.

No, I didn't ever get it off. It would just spin freely. I thought it should be locked but I did a google and it said that the crank will spin. Usually you have to use an impact to get them off. The car doesn't roll when in gear though.

i used my starter to get the bolt off. i put the wrench on and used a shop rag to tie the wrench to the control arm unplug the ignition coil and bump the starter.

i used my starter to get the bolt off. i put the wrench on and used a shop rag to tie the wrench to the control arm unplug the ignition coil and bump the starter.

I mentioned that but did your crank bolt spin when in gear? I don't understand why it would be spinning freely. My engine has low miles 40K, no coolant in the oil, and no oil coming from the valve cover, holds boost, holds vacuum. It runs perfect.

^^Now I'm more confused than before.

If your thinking the crank bold is like the tensioner bolt (which never spins) it's not. The tensioner has a pressed in bearing that the bolt holds in place, bearing allows the pulley to spin freely. The bolt holding the crank pulley on goes directly into the crankshaft, no bearing to allow the bolt not to spin dependant on crank rpm.. So any time the crank moves the bolt will also move and at the same speed, pulley also turns at that same speed.