Crank Gear removal? UPDATE: Key is Broken!!!, HELP!!!!!!!!!! Options

[Justin]

Edit: The key is broken off inside the crank gear itself. I tried to knock it loose by hitting it in with a hammer, but that didn't work. The way it is broken there is no way I can get a grip on it to pull it off. The only other option I came up with is to break the gear off the crank.

Or, I could try to put the car back together. The only problem is the key lines up the crank pully to set the time. My question is: Will not having that key allow the crank pully to constantly slip causing none of the accessories to work? Namely the alternator and water pump.

Besides that anyone have any ideas short to a new motor? I really need to get this fixed quick before I lose my job!

This post has been edited by Justin: Feb 16, 2007 - 12:35 AM

[bindertch]

Which key is broken, the one for the timing belt gear?
Does the gear spin on the shaft?
If it even wiggles you will have driveability problems. And more than likely once the engine is running it will completely break sooner or later.

Yes its the key for the timing gear. It spins and doesnt wiggle at all. I ended up just putting the car back together and it runs alright. The timing I think is about a gear off, but it does run atleast. Also, the tensioner decided to fail so the timing belt is currently slaping the timing cover. It seems that since the belt is so loose there is a bit of lag between the crank and the head. I think its just time for a new engine now. I got 238k out of it so i really can't complain.

If the timing belt is slapping the timing cover more than likely you could jump teeth and eventually bend valves or punch holes in your pistons. I looked into the cost of the parts and here is what I found:
Timing belt: 21.20
Crankshaft gear: 22.13
Crankshaft: 403.50
Total w/o crank =43.33 + shipping
w/ crank =406.83 + shipping
I would try to order the gear and then look into a new engine. I have also emailed to find out if the key comes with a new crank gear. All prices are from http://www.toyota-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm. I have ordered a rear wheel hub from them and it is working great.