how much should an ej20 engine turn by hand?

mike1978

hi,

i`ve bought an ej20 engine and as i`ve never actually seen one in the flesh before, i`ve got a couple of questions!

i can only turn the engine by the pulley by about 12-13 degrees, then it comes to a stop - is this normal? i`ve taken the plugs out (which incidentally were jet black) and it makes no difference - it dosn`t clonk to a stop, but does feel like high compression.

i asked the guys who supplied the engine and they said it`d been tested fine, etc and would turn over on the starter.

i`m used to vw lawn mower engines to be honest so this is all new to me!

cheers,
mike

doppelganger · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject:

you will need to put a socket on pully bolt to turn it Wink

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ElusiveStranger · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:03 am Post subject:

doppelganger · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:29 am Post subject:

never tried it with the plugs out

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rjes · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

They often take both hands to turn ober without a wrench - don't forget there are a lot more valve springs in a 16V engine, which still have to be overcome with the plugs in or out
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mike1978 · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

thanks for replies guys - this is with a wrench on the pulley and plugs out, it is still the same - only turning about 12/13 degrees back and forth.

i`m not sure if i`m paranoid about doing all the work and then something being wrong with the engine. i did manage to turn it further at one point but it made a loud clicking noise as if teeth were slipping so i didn`t want to push it any further for fear of damaging the engine. i have been assured though that the engine `s been tested etc.

i`ve still got the timing belt connected by the way.

doppelganger · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

mike1978 · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject:

right, i`m off out to the garage to have a good look at this. Wink

doppelganger · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject:

well hurry up Wink

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mike1978 · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

give me time!!

well, i`m alot happier bunny now. it still was n`t turning properly, so i got a big breaker bar on the pulley nut - like you said, its going to have to turn one way or another. a couple of loud cracks and then it was turning freely like i expected it to in the first place.

my theory is that the engine may have been sitting a while with the oil drained and some valves perhaps were stuck together and the noise was them freeing up again.

anyway, i whizzed the valve covers off and everything is super clean under there and when i spin the engine all the valves etc moves as expected Happy

thanks for teh help- i`m sure i`ll be back again asking more questions!

right, i`m off cleaning the casing and bolts up - what a great job!!

cheers,
mike

doppelganger · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

cool,
those valve springs are stronger than you think as well Grin

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mike1978 · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:56 am Post subject:

i was thinking about this last night and i`m hoping that i haven`t snapped any rings - i don`t supppose ill know until i`ve got the engine in situ with the starter attached and can do a compression test. if any sides significantly down, i guess i`ll have to drop the engine and fit new rings. not what i wantd really!