Crankshaft pulley removal

WTREMBLAY1234

MEMBER
2001 SUBARU FORESTER
155,000 MILES

I'm trying to replace the timing belt and water pump. I have to remove the crank pulley, but everything turns. I saw a video of a 2002 forester where the guy removed a plug beneath the air filter box and stuck a screwdriver into the flywheel inspection hole to keep the engine from turning. On the 2001 I'm working on, I don't see a plug in the same place but it could be that the plug was removed by someone else and is missing. Is there a way to find out if the 2001 flywheel inspection hole is in a different or the same place as a 2002 or is there another way to stop the engine from turning so I can loosen the crank pulley bolt?

4 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

You might be able to use an impact wrench? What you need is a sudden big hit, not a slow turn, to break it loose. You might be able to use a socket with a breakover and 4# hammer.

I'll have to look about the flywheel.

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Saturday, April 27th, 2013 AT 8:59 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Just to add, your starter engages the flywheel. The starter is on opposite end of engine from accessory belt. Get under the engine look for access cover for flywheel. I haven't found a picture for access cover.

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Saturday, April 27th, 2013 AT 9:13 AM

WTREMBLAY1234

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2 POSTS

I tried banging on a breaker bar with a small sledge but no luck. The engine just turns over. The starter is on the top left side of the engine. Are you suggesting I remove the starter to access the flywheel?

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Saturday, April 27th, 2013 AT 9:24 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

I'm not sure if you could hold the flywheel through the starter access hole? Just a thought.

If there is room, on some makes and models, I have used a pipe wrench on the front end of crankshaft. Let the crank turn till the pipe wrench handle hits the ground, it should hold the crank. I'm not saying that is the best way to do it. Those crankshafts are tough. You may not have room for a pipe wrench? I'm just trying to think of possibilities.

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Saturday, April 27th, 2013 AT 10:15 AM