Technical Seicento Sporting crank pulley removal

[reelrunner]

I have a slow coolant leak that's most likely behind the timing belt cover. To inspect, is it a good idea to use an impact gun to remove the 3 pulley bolts. I don't own one yet and haven't removed these bolts before.

 

[portland_bill]

If you can get an impact gun in there, it'd work a treat.
Usually they can be undone reasonably easily with a normal socket and breaker bar, but yours look a bit rusty. The amount of rust is unusual, unless you live in a particularly salty area, or they've not been disturbed for a long time.
Most likely point of leak will be the water pump. Probably time to replace the timing belt and tensioner at the same time, as you have to remove the belt. Access is a bit tight, but otherwise all straightforward.

 

[reelrunner]

If you can get an impact gun in there, it'd work a treat.
Usually they can be undone reasonably easily with a normal socket and breaker bar, but yours look a bit rusty. The amount of rust is unusual, unless you live in a particularly salty area, or they've not been disturbed for a long time.
Most likely point of leak will be the water pump. Probably time to replace the timing belt and tensioner at the same time, as you have to remove the belt. Access is a bit tight, but otherwise all straightforward.

Thanks for the reply I've read about wedging a 'stout screwdriver' (or breaker bar) in but not sure where this is done exactly. I bought the car in November and a new water pump and belt had been fitted not long before, so maybe something has failed. I forget what they're called, but I think the dish-shaped 'plug' that sits in the casting near the pump can fail too, so maybe this?

 

[portland_bill]

Thanks for the reply I've read about wedging a 'stout screwdriver' (or breaker bar) in but not sure where this is done exactly. I bought the car in November and a new water pump and belt had been fitted not long before, so maybe something has failed. I forget what they're called, but I think the dish-shaped 'plug' that sits in the casting near the pump can fail too, so maybe this?

I've never needed to use a screwdriver. A screwdriver has the potential to break the pulley, or injure you, or both. Don't damage the outer ring of teeth, used for ignition timing.
Let physics work with you.
If pulling down to release the bolt, position the target bolt to the right of the centre bolt, so that the spanner/breaker bar is crossing over the centre bolt. The torque felt at the outer edge of the pulley is reduced. Gripping the outer edge of the pulley with a gloved hand has usually been enough. They were only tightened to 25Nm.