Valve Adjust Issue - Can't turn engine with the fan belt

[willtel]

On my last attempt to adjust my valves I ran into an issue that I was unable to overcome. Even with the plugs removed I was unable to turn the engine over using the fan. I installed a new belt and tried to shim the pulley as tight as I could get it but eventually the fan blades started to rub on the bottom of the fan housing, even with the belt that tight I couldn't turn the engine. I also tried pinching the belt between the pulleys but that didn't work.

Is there any other way to reliably turn the engine when doing a valve adjustment?

[James Brown]

A remote starter switch or bumping the car in gear. How long has the car been sitting? You say "last attempt" to adjust the valves, what happened with the first attempt? Can you turn the engine over with the starter and the plugs removed?

[911pcars]

Box wrench on crank pulley. Got enough room?

I connect a remote starter switch on the starter solenoid, then jog the engine to position the valve to adjust.

Sherwood

[snbush67]

If your fan is moving in the housing (fan binding on outer housing) then the alternator/fan is probably coming loose and has to be tightened to the housing. To do this you have to remove the strap that holds the whole assembly in place, pull the fan assembly out and you might be able to tighten the 5 or 6 nuts that hold the unit together while the wires are connected. If not disconnect your battery label the wires and remove them. Then take the whole assembly to your workbench.

[john walker's workshop]

you don't actually pinch the belt, you push in the the right side firmly, between top and bottom pulleys, as you turn the pulley nut clockwise, a little at a time. takes a bit more effort as each cylinder comes up on compression. even works with a loose belt.

[willtel]

Originally Posted by James Brown

A remote starter switch or bumping the car in gear. How long has the car been sitting? You say "last attempt" to adjust the valves, what happened with the first attempt? Can you turn the engine over with the starter and the plugs removed?

The car is driven daily. I adjusted the valves once before and got it done but there was a lot of slipping with the fan belt, now I can't get it to turn using just the belt.

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Box wrench on crank pulley. Got enough room?

Doubtful. The car is a 930 and that area is cramped.

Originally Posted by snbush67

If your fan is moving in the housing (fan binding on outer housing) then the alternator/fan is probably coming loose and has to be tightened to the housing. To do this you have to remove the strap that holds the whole assembly in place, pull the fan assembly out and you might be able to tighten the 5 or 6 nuts that hold the unit together while the wires are connected. If not disconnect your battery label the wires and remove them. Then take the whole assembly to your workbench.

This is what I was thinking but I wasn't aware of how to tighten things up. All the research I have done on this points to adding tension to the belt but I reached my limit with that. I may have to check everything in there and verify it is tight.

[Dixie]

Did you put the car in neutural first?

[snbush67]

Remove the belt and spin the fan. Does it spin freely? Wiggle the fan in the housing it shouldn't move. If it does then the mounting nuts are probably coming loose. If it is all tight then its something else. Try a can of spinach.

Shane

[911pcars]

Check the friction surface of the drive belt. If it was loose for some time, it might be glazed (shiny) in which case it'll be more prone to slip. Something else to check.

Sherwood

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Did you put the car in neutural first?

+1. Makes no sense otherwise if the plugs are removed.

[LakeCleElum]

Plugs out - put in 3rd or 4th gear and gently roll car forward.

[47silver]

hard to believe with the plugs out that you cant turn the engine. Are you turning it clockwise?

[willtel]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Did you put the car in neutural first?

Good question. I really hope I did but time has passed so I can't say for sure. I was doing this on my steep driveway with the rear tires on ramps so I may have not have remembered to pop it into neutral. How embarrassing if that is the case.

The fan does turn freely without the belt in place. There is a little play in the fan but it seems to be the armature moving and not the alternator itself. I will check it all out tonight (with it in neutral) and report back.

[cmcfaul]

Mine has always been the same way. Fan belt would just slip. I use a wrench on the bottom pully / crank shaft. Make sure you are in nutral ;-)

Chris
73 911 E

[James Brown]

If it's in gear I would not admit it!!! Make up some story like a family of chipmunks moved into #3 cylinder and you had to coax them out with peanuts!! Save your manhood!

[Canada Kev]

Hey could possibly have the best one in the Dumba55 moves post...

[equality72521]

I had the same problem for about 2 minutes... then I realized the car was in gear. You aren't alone if that's it. I just didn't post here.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by equality72521

I had the same problem for about 2 minutes... then I realized the car was in gear. You aren't alone if that's it. I just didn't post here.

Ha! I quoted you now it cant be removed!
Your stupidity lives forever!!! Muhahahahahahahahahhah!

[equality72521]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Ha! I quoted you now it cant be removed!
Your stupidity lives forever!!! Muhahahahahahahahahhah!

That's ok, I've done worse than that one.

[snbush67]

Me too. I tied up a broken CV shaft so it wouldnt drag, and ended up tearing out my entire throttle linkage. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!