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

[jc47]

There is no way your engine would run if the sprocket key was really broken. The sprocket would just slip on the shaft and the valves would not open and close. I think you are mistaking the key for some other part. The key does not hold the gear on the shaft.

I also find it unlikely that the engine would run without the timing belt tensioner. It sounds like the tensioner wasn't adjusted properly. In any case, the tensioner is a fairly inexpensive part.