Removing Crankshaft Bolt

[bumere46]

I am doing complete timing belt and water pump replacement. I pretty much removed everything but the crankshaft bolt. I've tried using an electric impact wrench but the bolt wont even move. Do i turn it to the left or to the right? I am a little confused..somebody told me that on honda's crankshaft rotates counter clockwise therefore needs to be turned to the right.
Any ideas?

[krazykarguy]

I'm fairly certain that the crankshaft bolt is a standard bolt - lefty loosey. Even my EG6 Civic has a standard bolt thread on it and I KNOW that motor spun counter clockwise.

There is a special tool that fits into the hexagonal shaped opening in the crank pulley (to prevent it from rotation while you remove the bolt) and should be available to rent from your local parts store.

[bumere46]

thank you. I do have the tool. however, I don't know how to use it. Do I need an extra hand to hold the special tool? or is there a way to lock it?

[bumere46]

kinda confused, according to the honda repair manual it needs to be turned clockwise to remove the bolt

[carguy07]

Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Good luck!

[krazykarguy]

Originally Posted by bumere46

kinda confused, according to the honda repair manual it needs to be turned clockwise to remove the bolt

That picture is showing rotating the crank to align the timing marks, not removal of the bolt.

The use of the special tool is simple - place the tool into the crank pulley, with a long 1/2" breaker bar in the hole. Make sure that the end of the breaker bar is resting against something solid, like the floor of the garage or the frame of the car. This tool is to prevent the crank from turning, even the slightest bit of motion is wasted energy that would otherwise be removing the bolt.

Then, put the socket THROUGH the tool and onto the crank pulley bolt. That sucker is on there tight, so don't give up easily. The best way to use an impact gun is in bursts, not a continuous cycle. It will come loose eventually.

[NJGuy]

I don't believe the electric impact wrench can generate enough torque to break the crankshaft bolt. I've read stories where it takes around 600+ ft-lbs. to get one loose.

I've never done a timing belt job and I applaud you for your effort. However, I have found that there are a few tips on getting the bolt loose if you search other message boards or videos of the procedure on youtube.

In post 41 of this thread, the guy turned the pressure way up in his air lines for his pneumatic impact wrench:
DIY (J35A4) timing belt replacement

Here's one way to do it using the crankshaft pulley tool:

Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 648796 Honda Crankcase Pulley Removal Tool: Automotive

Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 648796 Honda Crankcase Pulley Removal Tool: Automotive

(Click on the customer images).
In order to use the crankshaft pulley tool, it looks like you'll need two breaker bars and at least one cheater bar, maybe even two. I believe one of the breaker bars gets braced by either the floor or a nearby frame member of the vehicle to lock the pulley tool in place.

Good luck.

[94eg!]

Older Hondas with the motor on the drivers side of the engine bay spun counter clockwise. Since Honda became Americanized around 2001, all new generations of Honda motors are on the passenger side of the engine bay and spin clockwise like american cars (I don't know about the S2000). The funny thing is that since they are transverse engines, either way they are positioned, they all spin "forward" (except S2000 ).

No matter which direction they spin, Honda has always used a standard thread bolt on the crank, so no worries about turning it the wrong way. Righty tighty, lefty loosey.

And yes you need a mountain of torque to get that bolt off. Even though it installs with only 180lb/ft of torque, it took two breaker bars, two pipe handles slid over the breaker bars (making total length about 3' long), and all my strength pushing with my feet and pulling with by whole body to break this bolt free.

This should always be your very first step. Cause if you don't get this bolt off, your not getting the job done.

[bumere46]

OK guys thanks for the inputs. I got it loose using starter method by using starter method. For anyone doing this, MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT ALL 6 IGNITION COILS.
here is the video:

'04 Odyessey Crankshaft Bolt Removal Using Starter - YouTube

'04 Odyessey Crankshaft Bolt Removal Using Starter - YouTube

[bumere46]

Here is some valuable information about crankshaft bolt
Getting the crankshaft bolt out

[mudbog]

Originally Posted by bumere46

OK guys thanks for the inputs. I got it loose using starter method by using starter method. For anyone doing this, MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT ALL 6 IGNITION COILS.

That's exactly what I did and it worked great! Thank goodness the engine spins clockwise and it's a standard threaded bolt.

[bumere46]

I am putting everything back together tomorrow morning.
What is the best way to tighten the crankshaft bolt? I have the honda pulley lock tool, however I don't know how to use it. Any suggestions?

[mudbog]

1)
Use the honda pulley lock tool to hold the crankshaft pulley in place against the frame rail.
2)
Put a light coat of oil or antiseize on the crankshaft bolt threads.
3)
Tighten the crankshaft bolt with a torque wrench to 181 ft-lbs. The torque is important because you don't want the crank pulley to come loose when you're driving down the road. If you don't have a torque wrench, you can rent one or get a loaner from Autozone.