how to turn engine by hand

[rsmartin]

how does one turn an engine over by hand? what is the correct direction? so many warning here about NOT turning it backward? is clockwise to MY right when standing in front of the car or from the perspective of the engine in the car?

i know i sound stupid so don't flame me please!

[Kestas]

Yes, you turn the engine the same way it turns during operation. You do it by using a socket that fits on the nut in the middle of the crankshaft dampner and turn with a breaker bar or ratchet. You may need a short socket extension to get the proper clearance.

[280EZRider]

If you have a gasoline engine, you can remove all spark plugs while using extreme caution to prevent any crud from falling thru the holes into the cylinders. Since it's near impossible to get a socket on the crank bolt of a MBZ engine without removing a lot of parts, it's possible to rotate the engine by turning the power-steering pump as long as the the spark plugs have been removed - no compression.

[junqueyardjim]

That is why he is asking. He obviously does not know which way the engine turns when running. So the correct answer is clockwise as it looks to you when you are standing in front of the engine.

[rsmartin]

thank you all

my mechanic friend who works on mercedes came by and tried to turn it using the belts. he couldn't do it. said doesn't mean it's locked up but he can usually turn it by the belts.