I have a '92 Protege with a DOHC. I would like to remove the crank timing sprocket. Whenever I turn the crank bolt, the crankshaft naturally turns. Normally, I would hold the flywheel by its teeth. However, I can't see any access to the flywheel. A Haynes manual that I have says to remove the flywheel/driveplate access panel. I just had the tranaxle out for a clutch and rear-main seal and I didn't see any access cover. Is there an access cover? Any suggestions otherwise?

And if you're wondering why I didn't remove the bolt when the tranny was out, it's because there is only one motor mount on the engine and the engine was too unstable. Three of the four motor mounts are on the transaxle. And there's nothing to fulcrum a large screwdriver against as the bell housing is completely out of the way. I have tried putting it in fourth and keeping the wheels from turning, but it's too springy and I don't like putting that much torque on the transaxle.

Thanks.

 

This is what we did. I had a friend sit in the car and hold the brake. Then i took a 3/4 impact with 200PSI behind it and after about 10sec's the nut came undone. Then the rest of the timing belt was easy but watch out when trying to time it because I got my pro out of time and some reason it will not go back just right


I think that will solve the problem

 

Probably too late of a reply, but:

What I did on my '92 DOHC when replacing timing belt (Note that timing belt was still intact when performing this procedure):

1) IMPORTANT: Ensure car will not start by removing coil to distributor high tension wire. IMPORTANT

2) Re-connect battery.

3) With socket on breaker bar, place socket on crank bolt. Wedge breaker bar against frame of car or floor -- any non-moveable object.

4) Using ignition key, 'bump' starter by briefly turning to CRANK position. Keep it brief. The starter motor spins the motor in the right direction to loosen the bolt.

I have also used this method successfully on a Taurus SHO.


Also, I just had my oil pan out and it appears that there is an access cover (this is an automatic) in the pan toward the transmission side. I think it is 'dry' and will not leak engine oil when removed.

John Q

 

I went through this process a few months ago. I have a '90 auto, and there is a window on the bottom that lets you wedge a prybar into the teeth of the flywheel. A friend held the prybar while I took a breaker bar and a HUGE pipe and broke it loose. I could have used an impact wrench, but for some reason I don't like the idea of impact loads on the crankshaft and all those precision machined moving parts in there.