11 replies to this topic

[kopi]

Hi folks, 

 

My mini is on a gently sloped car porch and I need to do some tappet adjustments. 

 

I cannot access the crankshaft pulley or the alternator pulley easily. The mini is a daily so its not seized up or anything 

 

I tried to turn the engine (plugs out, neutral gear) by turning the fan blade, doesn't work and I didn't want to risk damage. 

 

I also tried to jack up front left wheel (plugs in, 4th gear) but again I could not turn the wheel or at least it was very stiff. 

 

What am I doing wrong? Should I jack up the one wheel, remove the plugs and try to rotate the wheel while in another gear? 3rd or 4th? 

 

And for those who did it via the wheel rotation method, are you supposed to use a substantial amount of strength or is it fairly easily to rotate with the plugs out?

 

Thanks!

 

Kopi

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tones61]

Jack up one wheel,
Put in 4th gear,
Take out spark plugs,
Do the adjust,
I do mine in 10 mins

[panky]

Yes take the plugs out and try in 3rd or 4th with one front wheel off the ground. Never had a problem doing it that way.

 

Beat me to it

Edited by panky, 24 May 2023 - 03:42 PM.

[kopi]

Thanks guys I'll have another go tomorrow! 

[BaronVonchesto]

agreed with everone else here. I just redid the tappets on my car this morning. 
jack up one of the front wheels so you can spin it by hand, then put it in 4th gear.

 

you will easily be able to spin the wheel that's in the air with a socket and ratchet.

[kopi]

Sorry if it’s abit of a silly one, but can you not turn the wheel by grabbing the tyres? Must it be via the wheel nut?

[kopi]

agreed with everone else here. I just redid the tappets on my car this morning. 
jack up one of the front wheels so you can spin it by hand, then put it in 4th gear.
 
you will easily be able to spin the wheel that's in the air with a socket and ratchet.

And you spin the wheel by using the socket on one of the four wheel nuts?

[BaronVonchesto]

Sorry if it’s abit of a silly one, but can you not turn the wheel by grabbing the tyres? Must it be via the wheel nut?

 

yes you can absolutely do this by spinning the tyre by hand, but I've found it easier to spin it by the nuts. Plus you won have to dirty your hands.

 

I spin the wheel by putting a socket on one of the wheel nuts. though i move it about randomly depending on which position is most convenient at the time. don't want to load any one stud too much (not that it should be a concern given that very little force is needed to spin the wheel)

[kopi]

It was very difficult for me to spin it by hand. Any idea what I could be doing wrong?

Plugs are out and in 4th gear.

Might try the socket route but I have to remove the hub caps which are a pain.

[kopi]

My bad it works! Thanks guys ... 

 

So in case it helps anyone 

 

1. Remove spark plugs 

2. Engage handbrake or use rear wheel chocks for safety

3. Engage 4th gear (this makes it much easier)

4. Jack up either of the front wheels with the other on the ground

5. Grab tyre and rotate in forward motion - this requires some force, there is abit of resistance but not too much. Don't expect the wheels to turn as freely as a disengaged wheel though. 

 

(prior to this build I could rotate the engine by spinning the fan, but I could not access it with a good angle hence I had to explore a different method)

[BaronVonchesto]

My bad it works! Thanks guys ... 

 

So in case it helps anyone 

 

1. Remove spark plugs 

2. Engage handbrake or use rear wheel chocks for safety

3. Engage 4th gear (this makes it much easier)

4. Jack up either of the front wheels with the other on the ground

5. Grab tyre and rotate in forward motion - this requires some force, there is abit of resistance but not too much. Don't expect the wheels to turn as freely as a disengaged wheel though. 

 

(prior to this build I could rotate the engine by spinning the fan, but I could not access it with a good angle hence I had to explore a different method)

 

yup sounds about right. It is definitely easier than pushing the car in 4th gear.

As I said turning the wheel by hand is doable, but I've found it far easier to use a socket to turn the wheel off a a stud.

[kopi]

Hey guys, must the wheel be rotated forward?

I found it easier to rotate it backwards, and when so it moves the fan/alternator belt forwards which seems like the right direction.

Any potential issues if I get this wrong?