So, I was changing the water pump on my '93 240 and dropped a nut into the lower portion of the timing belt cover. I've spent 2 hours doing everything I can think of (magnets, coat hangers, etc.) to find that nut down there without removing the crankshaft pulley. so I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you can help me out with

1. If i just need to remove the pulley to get the cover removed is this complicated? I've read posts on here, and in the Bentley book, mostly about changing the timing belt. I don't need to get in that deep. can i just use an impact driver (as ppl have suggested ) to remove it (the pulley) and again to replace it (after I get that damn nut).

2. If I use an impact driver to remove the pulley, is it as simple as retightening the 24mm bolt?

3. Someone on here suggested cutting the cover to remove it. Is this really stupid? or if im careful would it be ok?

thanks in advance

 

Hi! I saw your post and thought I might be able to help. I'll bet if you loosened the two or three bottom bolts on the lower timing belt cover you could pry the cover off enough for the nut to slip out. If you can get to all the bolts on the cover I'll bet you could loosen it off or rotate it enough for it to release the nut, esp. with some encouragement from below.

 

I had the exact same thing happen to me so don't feel bad. I tried everything you have and finally had to take the crank pully back off and found the nut sitting on the gear.

Getting the bolt off without the crank pully holder tool is easy but getting it on to the proper torque isn't unless you want to do the rope trick.

I got mine off by putting a breaker pole on my wrench with it attached to the pully and have the pole lay on the passager side of the car on the ground with the wrench socket good and snug to the bolt. Now tap your starter just once and the breaker pole will make contact with the side of the car but won't hurt it and your bolt is now loose to take off.