Hello Honda Gurus,

Over the weekend I did a timing belt job on a 1993 del sol with a d15b7.

I replaced the belt, tensioner, spring, water pump, and camshaft seal. I wanted to replace the front main seal as well, but I was unable to remove the crankshaft sprocket to get to the seal. According to the hynes manual, the crankshaft sprocket slides right off of the cranshaft because it is only attached with a spline and a key. The explode diagrams from online Honda parts dealers agreed completely with the manual regarding the sprocket sliding right off the crankshaft.

I suspect that the seal has weeped oil into the spline fitting and glued it to the crankshaft. :-( The spline did appear to have oil in it ... but so did everything else south of the camshaft seal. Or, I suppose it could be loctite ...

Since last oil change (7,000 mi) it has leaked ~ 1 pint of oil ... and it doesn't drip, so it's not worth a huge amount of labor.

I have tried the following things to get the sprocket off:
*Tried to get a wheel puller behind the sprocket - not enough room + blocked by oil pump flange.
*Gripped sprocket with channel-locks, but not hard enough to mar sprocket, and attempted to wiggle sprocket to loosen.
*Inserted screwdriver behind sprocket and gently attempted to pry.

Is there any way to get the sprocket off without damaging it?
I'm a driveway mechanic, so I can't risk screwing up the sprocket because if I still couldn't get it off, I would be completely screwed. This is why I just moved on and finished the timing belt job without replacing the seal.

To the gurus: How have you handled situations like this in the past? How did it work out in the end?
Thanks in advance!

 

never had one that was stuck before. The key could be slightly damaged making it a real bitch to take off. You should be able to apply a little heat to the crank and sproket with a propane tourch but if you do this you will have to get it off it will more than likely damage the oilpump seal that you are trying to get to. You might be able to try a bearing puller tool the are much thinner than a gear puller.
good luck

 

yeah, that's exactly why I didn't use the torch.

I'll shop for a bearing puller - good idea. Thanks.

 

Chemistry is your friend. Start by soaking the gear in PB Blaster for a few hours or even overnight, especially the area where the key contacts the crank and gear. Then tap the gear with a rubber mallet while gently prying in the rear with a pry bar.