How do I stop the crank from rotating so I can take the bolt out? I can't put a block of wood between the piston and the frame like I did in my Harley.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Once you take off the pulleys, you can use an extension in a slot in the side of the balancer itself to hold it solid while you use a breaker bar and 27MM socket.

If that doesn't work, you will have to use a screwdriver against one of the flywheel teeth.

It sounds like you're pulling the lower timing cover. Have you learned more about the valve condition?

Best of luck,

Not yet. Is there a way to determine bent valves other than compression?

I didn't see a slot on the balancer. I'm at work now, so the car is not handy to look at. Is there an inspection plate in the back above the oil pan that I can remove to get at the flywheel teeth?

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

You can try an impact wrench if there's space for it.

There's a hole at the bottom forward edge of the bell housing for access to the bolts that hold the torque converter to the flex plate. I'm not sure if the transmission mounting plate is strong enough to support wedging a screwdriver against the ring gear.

If you can rotate the engine, pull off the valve cover and check each valve stem when the cam is not 'lifting' it. There should be little to no clearance between the cam and the valve stem. Maybe absolutely no clearance. If a valve is bent, it will likely not close all the way so you'll find a valve stem that sits lower than the others when the lobe is not on it.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD