Turning engine by hand

[dadrathers]

OK I know the bascis - socket on crankshaft bolt. BUT IIRC the pulley obscures the head of this bolt and then there are four smaller bolts holding the pulley on to choose from. They seem a bit small to use singly and are not central of course.

Any advice welcome.

[The ANT]

How is the pulley obstructing the bolt head? I've never done it with a vw engine but the 2 ford engines and one Honda engine I have done it with I just took out the plugs and with a long* something sized, 1/2" drive socket and ratchet I rotated the crank  (I had to do this so I knew the engines wouldn't seize up before I needed them)


*as the pulleys stuck out beyond the bolt so I used a long socket to reach.

[Brighouse-gti]

Why not just use the camshaft bolt instead?

[The ANT]

That would put a lot of strain on the cam belt, potentially. You wouldn't want to risk jumping a tooth on the belt,