Using starter to loosen the crank bolt

[yangboi]

I’ve seen some videos on youtube to loosen the crank pulley bolt by using the car starter. I just want to know if this will do any damage to the engine. This is supposely one of the hardest bolts to loosen. Thanks!

Topic

[TejasNW]

I doubt it would hurt your engine, but I would not be so sure about your starter. It would be the weak link. I also would not want to be anywhere near that breaker bar if you have the rotation wrong or something slips.

Check under the tool tab for a tool specifically designed for this job. The tool is under $30. A hell of a lot cheaper than a starter. Yes, you will have to provide the muscle, but at least you have control.

[mfdfirefighter46]

yea man i would have to agree on buying the tool your just asking for trouble if you do the other method remember use the right tool for the right job.

[Shaun_300]

I don’t think I’d attempt it, I have seen it done when I was in high school on a co-op placement, wrench slipped off and went flying across the shop! It must not have been quite long enough, lifted the engine up a bit and it turned and went flying. I can usually get them with my 1100lb ft impact.

[Dr. Jerryrigger]

If your engine rotates the proper way for this to work it can be a quick and dirty way of getting the bolt off. As said already; be carful of flying tools.
I wouldn’t worry much about damaging the starter. I think the bigger risk is to whatever you rest the breaker bar handle on (power steering pulley?)
Also make sure the car absolutely can’t start. Remove the power to the ignition coil and or remove all the ignition wires. If you were to pull the fuel pump fuse, for example, it could still start for a second on residual pressure.
It would also be a good idea to tie the breaker bar to something so it can’t go flying, maybe duct tape it to your rad.

[dreamer2355]

I have heard and seen of this but im more of a fan of a safer way and using the correct tools.

Good luck C8-)

[WDHewson]

MY Honda CRV of 1999 had a stubborn crank bolt. The 1/2 inch electric impact would not budge it, and it is the only contest that this impact has lost.

With the proper hexagonal pulley holding tool, and a 28 inch breaker bar, I got it unthreaded. I had no cheater on the breaker bar, and I was only at about 60% of maximum effort when she loosened.

I consider the starter method of breaking this bolt loose as an abomination, but I too have done abominal things from time to time.

[Trcustoms719]

I did this once when my air compressor was not where i was working.
Would i ever do it again, Probably not.

[baylen]

I’ve not used the starter method but have used a tire combo wrench along with a jack stand to loosen that bolt. It worked out pretty good. Now if I have to deal with that, ill just use my 3/4 in rachet that’s like 2 ft long and bam!

[EricTheCarGuy]

I don’t recommend it, I’ve seen many things broken as a result of employing that method uncluding fingers however if done correctly it can be successful.

[Author]

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