So here I am, trying to appease the MINI gods by giving the ole MCS a new 16% WMW pulley, and all she wants to do is give me a hard time! Aside from not getting the tension bar (it's on the way ) my mechanic buddy and I cannot seem to get the engine lifted high enough to gain access to the old pulley to put the puller on! Am I missing something? Help Felow NAMers!!!

 

Have you disconnected the passenger side motor mount the lower mount and loosened the right front motor mount?

 

There are some great how to's if you do a search on how to do this.

 

Done, done, and done. Also removed the anti-vibration bracket, and wiring harness bolt from the front of the intake manifold...

 

I've found every single one I can, and none seem to give me any tips on getting the extra 3 inches of clearance :(

 

You should only need enough room to get the pulley tool on the pulley. Are you able to do that?

 

OK, admittedly I have not done this myself, but can't you access it through the wheel well, without lifting the engine?

 

IIRC (without going to look at my already torn-apart car)
the pulley is still behind the solid frame of the car (the tube that extends forward that the bumper bolt to)

If it is below this, then I know it is at least behind / blocked by the lower sub frame bolt that bolts to the main chasis at the front right there.

so best case you would have to drop the front lower sub frame (if it was even in the way).


TL:DR'

usually easier to lift the motor.


pro tip1

how you lift the motor makes a large difference.

Place the jack under the passenger (in a left hand drive vehicle) side of the engine, towards the front/ middle of the oil pan. Allow the driver / transmission motor mount to act as a pivot.


Pictures of your setup also are always of great help.

 

sometimes its better not post.. especially if you have not done the job yourself... people will read your post and start thinking they can do it through the wheel well...


anyways... on mine it didnt take much to access the pulley. did you loosen up the driver side mount a little as well? maybe something is binding? the intake possibly

 

loosen upper drivers side motor mount, take off passanger side motor mount and bottom motor mount, then lift engine with block of wood and jack... there is a good video on you tube under mod mini, with pulley removal.....

 

Like others said, use a block on the engine and don't be afraid to lift, unless something seems wrong. I know when I did mine I had to jack it up further than I was comfortable with.,but you'll be fine as long as you disconnected everything properly.

 

When I did mine last week, the crank pulley was hitting the frame and getting stuck. Make sure you move the engine over some for the crank to clear.