I really need some help here everyone. I am in the middle of changing out my timing belt for my 2004 Honda Pilot. All was going well, all the covers and accessories were off and the crank pulley and bolt were off (phew!). I was at the point where I was about to mark the old belt. I put the crank bolt back on and begin to turn clockwise when I realized I didn't put the crank key (woodruff key?) back in. So basically I am spinning the crank without rotating the rest of the top end? I stop in horror but realized that the crank and the T belt cog are close to lining up on the key hole....but not quite. So I either A. really didn't spin it much at all and I am ok, or B. spun the crank an entire revolution. I know it would not have been more than that but how do I know what I did, would it bind up if I were off? And... how do I get this dang crank bolt off in the first place without spinning the crank so I can put the key back in? I thought about vise grips to hold the crank when I back off the bolt off but they just don't hold plus I don't want to mar the surface. Thank You for any help!

 

No guessing games, can't even tell from that angle. We need a straight image.

Also there are marks on the oil pump as well to confirm your timing.

 

First, I have to get this bolt off, then put the key back in. Once I do that I will rotate everything slowly. If there is an issue, should I feel a bind? If I feel a bind, would it damage anything?

 

The 'bind' could be piston to valve contact. Don't torque against that or you could bend a valve.

 

Why would you rotate the crank and cams, why not verify visually by looking at the timing marks?

 

Pull the starter and wedge something into the flywheel to hold the crank.

 

That picture of the timing belt scares me. It looks severely marred. I sure hope that's not the brand new belt....