I'm in the middle of timing belt change right now. The problem is that I can't remove water pump pulley.
I managed to unscrew 4 bolts on the pulley but it doesn't come off. Should I try to pry it off? There is a round thing in the center of the pulley which looks like a bolt head but it is completely round, not hexagonal. I don't think that it is some kind of a weird bolt with round head, right?
Please advise!

And another question. Is it really necessary to remove spark plugs during t/b change? It is recommended to remove plugs when set TDC but I don't really understand why it'd be necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Max

 

the pulley shouldn't be too hard to get off. you should be able to pry on but be careful. you don't want to damage the water pump.

it is very necessary to set the first piston to top dead center of the compression stroke so that the timing marks like up correctly. you don't have to pull the plugs out to spin the engine however it does make it easier if you pull them. i usually don't pull them and just use a breaker bar on the crank bolt. if you're pretty strong it won't be all that bad.

 

Thanks mtcookson,

So you are saying that the pulley is held only by those 4 bolts, right? Then I'll try to pry it off tomorrow.

I set the first piston to TDC without pulling plugs.
Hope everything will be ok and I won't screw the engine

 

yeah, those 4 bolts are the only thing holding the pulley on. actually, the belt can hold it on too but that should be off by now. i keep the belt on so i can unscrew the bolts and then i pull the belt off and the pulley after that.

 

I think you are done by now, but if these 4 bolts are out, the only thing holding it was a seal

 

Yes I am done with this by now. Just had to pry biatch really hard.
Thanks anyway.