I am trying to figure out what size socket is needed to remove the crankshaft pulley. Could you please help?

ANSWER : The socket you will need is 15/16, or 24mm. The pulley should slide off without any special tools. If you need assistance, check the list of YourMechanic services. Their certified mobile mechanics can visit your home or office to inspect and repair your vehicle’s issues.

ANSWER : Hi there – you have probably not bent valves yet, but damage is not far away. Replacing timing belts on these engines requires fixtures to hold the crankshaft and camshafts in certain positions while changing the belt for this reason. This is especially true when removing the crankshaft damper/pulley bolt, which is held on with tremendous force (250-400 lb ft of torque) on many engines. Without a doubt, you turned the crankshaft, not just the pulley. The camshaft position solenoid (variable valve timing) may also require precise positioning for reinstallation. I recommend a timing belt installation and Variable Valve Timing solenoid replacement performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, realign your crankshaft and camshafts, then reassemble your engine, and get you back on your way.

ANSWER : Try drilling out the locking nuts with a big drill bit and then use a long collar nut on it to back off the locking lug nuts. If you need further assistance with the locking lug nuts, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there. Although what you are listing above is not necessarily a service we offer, it is possible to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location to help you with this issue. To start, I would recommend setting up a spark plug removal service, then contacting the customer service sales professional that works with you to explain exactly what you need. When this has happened to me, I bite the bullet and purchase a new spark plug and new spark plug socket, as it’s very difficult to get it unstuck without damaging the socket.

ANSWER : Hi there. As a former Lexus master technician, this was one of the jobs that seemed like the engineers weren’t in their right minds when designing it. We had to loosen the core support that holds the radiator, support it away from the alternator, and then pull the alternator out without letting it slip; if it falls and hits the radiator, you will have a leak.

I strongly suggest acquiring a qualified technician for this one. One of YourMechanic’s certified technicians can assist you with an alternator replacement, and will make sure the job is done smoothly and properly.

ANSWER : Hello – the crankshaft damper pulley bolt on many engines is installed with more than 400 ft lbs of torque. This is tough for us mere mortals to deal with. The first task is to install the correct crankshaft locking device so the engine is not rotated backwards while removing this bolt. Most often, a pin is inserted to lock the flywheel. Use a 3/4" breaker bar with a 4 ft section of pipe extending it and the correct socket. (It is easier than you think to break a 1/2" bar doing this). This may seem extreme, but will also be required when you install your new pulley as well. Caution – this bolt may NOT be re-usable as well – so be sure you have a new one on hand to install. Good luck!

ANSWER : I can think of a few possible causes to this issue.
1. You are trying to replace the belt with a new one and may have got the wrong size belt. There are two different 3.0 V6 engines that are available for this vehicle so you may have got the belt for the other engine. The solution to this issue would be to swap the belt out at the parts store for the correct belt and try again.

The belt is the correct size but the belt tensioner is unable to hold tension against the belt causing a lack of traction between the belt and the pulleys. This would result in the pulleys not spinning fast enough to cause any of the belt driven assesories to work properly.
The crankshaft pulley bolt or woodruff key has broken causing the crankshaft pulley to be loose on the crankshaft. This can also cause a lack of tension on the belt causing the belt driven assessories not to work.

ANSWER : The crankshaft pulley is tightened to 250 ft lbs of torque and the only way to get it loose is to use a special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley and a 19mm socket on a long breaker bar to brake the bolt loose. You can get the special tools at most auto parts stores. However, if you are find that you would just like to have a professional take care of this for you, then a technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to replace or install your timing belt for you.