Expert: Sean Halliday - 6/12/2006

Question
how to remove the water pump of a 1989 honda prelude 2.0 si FI 16 valve and having problems removeing a bottom pully everytime I turn the bolt it i turns the motor can you help me thank you sir  

Answer
do you mean the crankshaft pulley?.ok,,,a trick i use if you dont have the special tool to hold the crank is get a nylon rope about 1/2 inch thick,bout 2 feet long,,bring number one piston to top dead centre,take out the number one plug,advance  the cylinder half a turn and insert the cord ,,make sure you get it all the way in as the piston will be at the bottom of the bore,,,you will have the valve cover off and watch your number one cylinder valves close ,make sure they are fully closed,(crucially important you do this right)if youre not sure dont attempt it,,then reverse the crank til the engine locks,the purpose of the rope is to jam the piston against the valves as theyre closed they wont get bent ive did this dozens of times and no problems ..the crank bolt will be tight so get a breaker bar but it will come loose,,,,,failin all this the other way is to use a air tool,air hammer,,,theres really no way to lock the engine otherwise as some of the crank bolts are really tight,if you have never did it this way then use the air hammer its safer and faster.