Disco 1 started engine with torque wrench on crankshaft pulley

oldskool said:

What he said ^ thats a common way to undo a stubborn crank bolt (not a recommended way but a common way)

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White_Disco said:

Hi everyone. Whilst trying to track down noises from the engine (300tdi), I decided to check the valve clearances. I started the engine afterwards, but had forgotten to take the torque wrench I was using to turn the engine off the crankshaft pulley. It dropped to the floor almost immediately, leaving the socket on the pulley. I'm paranoid that it's done some damage especially as I noticed a rumbling sound from the engine on tickover today after about 800 motorway miles since the stupid mistake. Could it have loosened the pulley? Has anyone made the same mistake?

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White_Disco said:

I tried to undo the bolt with an ordinary ratchet whilst in gear, low range diff lock etc. It wouldn't budge, so presumed all ok.

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FlyingPete said:

Every Haynes manual I've come across gets this backwards too If you're wrenching against the handbrake, you want it in a high gear as then the torque on the crankshaft results in less torque acting against the handbrake. Put it in low range 1st and you can wind the car forwards with a big wrench

Low gear is for things like hub nuts, where the torque through the drivetrain is the other way round.

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jamesmartin said:

not 5th as higher gears are the weakest

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