Any tips on how to "lock" a motor with an auto trans ?

[Noble1]

Just brought a 1999 GU TB45, Auto trans, the timing cover oil seal is leaking, is there an easy way to "lock" up the motor so I can undo the nut / bolt on the harmonic balancer ?
Any tips will be appreciated, cheers Noble1

[mudnut]

I used the starter motor to crack the bolt. Used a big arsed pipe on a breaker bar to jam it onto the concrete floor. Was an RB 30, and I had pulled the fuel pump fuse and ran the engine until there was no fuel at all so it didn't start. Don't know if that is a good idea on a Fuel Injected engine though but I did the same on a Spacia van EFI.

[Noble1]

Thanks mudnut, if all else fails, that might have to be the way to go, am going to go and buy a 3/4" socket set tomorrow, what about doing the damn thing up ?

[mudnut]

I have a manual, so fifth gear handrake on, no drama. You might have to undo #1 spark plug and rotate the engine to the 3/4 up of compression stroke. Push as much of some clean nylon rope into the cylinder as you can. Leave a bit out so you can pull it out after the job is done. Rotate the engine until the rope stops it. Then torque the bolt. You might get away with using the same method to break the bolt but it will require some muscle to do so.

[Noble1]

Cheers again mudnut, you cant go past aussie ingenuity, would removing the lead from the coil to the disy cap do the same thing as running the engine out of fuel ? motor wont start.

[mudnut]

I've always worried that doing this would bend the conrod, but so far I haven't had that problem. 296 ftlb is bloody tight, though so if anyone has a better way of doing it, please speak up.

[mudnut]

Cheers again mudnut, you cant go past aussie ingenuity, would removing the lead from the coil to the disy cap do the same thing as running the engine out of fuel ? motor wont start.

Possibly but ground the lead on the block. This ensures the high voltage doesn't seek an alternative route. That is why I went with no fuel option.

There is also the possibility of unburnt fuel causing a back backfire and damaging the sensors exhaust and filter housing.

[mudnut]

This guy has another way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYeOqePusJY

or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGwsAxAYhyU

Or as I suggested and also have done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGwsAxAYhyU

[Noble1]

mudnut, Success !!!, watching the video of using a fan belt to go over itself gave me an idea, just happened to have on hand 3 x A48 v/belts, working from underneath, slipped them over the pulley then used a piece of 1" pipe, twisted them around until I could get no more, wedged the pipe in place, using 3/4" socket bar and another piece of pipe over the handle, for more leverage and Bingo the bolt came undone. Thanks very much for your help, cheers Noble1.