turned crankshaft counterclockwise now the engine is locked, changing timing belt

[chi_soul]

I was trying to replace my timing belt on a 2001 2.9L S80 this weekend, i found the two marks on the camshafts, but had the hardest time finding the marks on the crankshaft. I turned the crankshaft clockwise a full rotation a few times and couldn't find them, so i thought it would be a bright idea to turn the crankshaft counterclockwise. While turning it counter clockwise I heard a click. this happened 3 times, and now I can't turn it clockwise by hand more that 1/4th of a turn.

Of course after I did that I read "(note: crank CLOCKWISE and ONLY CLOCKWISE with this engine! A little back is okay, but generally since this is an interference engine the official warning is DO NOT crank this engine backwards or counter clockwise at all" in another post.

I'm hoping my solution is as simple as just taking out the sparkplugs or maybe taking off the timing belt and turning the crankshaft while the camshafts stay in their current position but I dont want to to further damage so my question is...

What must be done to get the engine to be cranked by hand in a clockwise position correctly again?

Any help offered would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[ThommyKent]

Taking out the plugs isn't going to change anything, but I would just to ease turning it. You will really open up a can of worms turning the crank or camshaft with out the timing belt on although that my help. Getting the cam and crank lined up correctly will not be fun. I would find out the real reason why it shouldn`t be turned backward. I have a feeling it could be the Variable Valve timing controller located at the timing belt side of motor nest to the end of the camshaft

[ThommyKent]

Read these.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=34642
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18314

[Ck360]

05 v50 2.5 T I INSTALL A NEW HEAD USED LOCKING TOOLS THE CAMS ARE IN MARK AT 12.00
WHEN TIMELY OFF THE MOTOR WILL TURN COUNTER CLOCKWISE BUT WHEN CLOCKWISE
I HAD CLICK ON CRANKSHAFT THE CRANKSHAFT IS ON THE MARK BUT ONLY A 1/4 TURN AND
LOCKS UP

[SuperHerman]

You will have to confirm what I am about to write as I may not recall correctly. But all is not lost. Worse case scenario consider your approach as if you are replacing the head. On the 2.9 as I recall when the engine crank is at the mark the pistons are partially down, that is no valve contact can occur, even assuming the valves are all the way down.

For starters it sounds like you made all your movements with the belt on. I agree the issue with turning crank the wrong way is most likely related to the VVT hubs. Hopefully one does not damage the VVT hubs by turning them the wrong way.

So if you are on the mark at the crank all the pistons should be down. You can confirm this by pulling the spark plugs and looking or placing a long stick into the spark plug hole. At this point you should be able to remove the timing belt and rotate the cam shafts to their correct positions so that the cam locking tools can be installed. You have to make sure to take into consideration what is required with the VVT Hubs. If I recall correctly the cams are slotted so that only one side (on each cam) is aligned - this assures that you will not be 180 degrees off in timing as the cam lock tool will not install correctly. If you do not have the tools you will have to look at pictures and make sure the slot is properly aligned and in addition not upside down.

Hopefully someone with a fresher experience will chime in.

Finally I doubt you bent a valve, although it is possible. To eliminate this you can do a pressure test or compression test once all is bolted back together after you rotated the engine a few times by hand to make sure you have no valve to piston contact. The sounds you most likely heard are either valves touching, valves closing as the cam moved with added play from the VVT hubs.