Turn crank over with ratchet/breaker bar

[jaylazy2020]

Sorry for repeat questions but I’m trying to replace water pump and serpentine belt and my 22mm socket on a short ish ratchet doesn’t seem to move the crank to allow to turn the water pump to allow safe removal of four 10mm

Does anyone have a known set up that will get access with the fan still installed ?

Thanks

[ron_s55]

Make sure the car is in neutral

You could try a pipe over the ratchet handle, if it's a matter of leverage.

You could also cut the belt off, but make sure you have a way to put the belts back on before doing that.

[robbo mcs]

Do you need to remove the plugs?

I've never done this on my M4. However, did a similar thing on the BMW Mini, and you needed to remove the spark plugs, so there was no compression in the cylinders, in order to rotate the crank easily

[jaylazy2020]

Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Do you need to remove the plugs?

I've never done this on my M4. However, did a similar thing on the BMW Mini, and you needed to remove the spark plugs, so there was no compression in the cylinders, in order to rotate the crank easily

No. It’s the release the tension on the water pump belt in order to be able to change the main serpentine belt.


I managed to get a 22mm socket seated correctly and then an extension on the ratchet.

It just requires a lot of patience as so easy to drop tools and sockets down on the floor pan.

I’m determined to do it as bmw quoted me €4k to change all belts and pulleys and for some reasons included changing the harmonic balancer at €600!

I bought all oem parts for €300.

It’s just the access without taking out the fan is so tight