Can I leave the jammed woodruff key in place or do I need to remove it?

My woodruff key is jammed into place (see photo), can I leave it as is(It took some doing to finally pry the crankshaft off.)? Do I need to remove this key(Had a go at it with a needle-nose pliers which didn't work.)?

Don't know if this relevant but it's a 1997 Accord DX straight stock as far as I know. It has an F22B2 engine. 2.2L, SOHC.

Thank you.

 

I'm leaving it in place. Started to file the key and got the pulley to be flush with the crank. I wanted to replace the crank seal but I will replace all else and hope the seal gods are with me.

 

So you filed the key down? When it comes to reinstall the pulley, how do you know if its going to line up with the key, if its filed flush to the crank?

 

You should NEVER have to do anything to the woodruff key besides installing it into the groove. It's that shape and form for a REASON.

 

It shouldn't be filed down flush with the end of the crankshaft... it sticks out on purpose so that more surface area contacts the crank pulley. It doesn't stick out past the face of the crank pulley when correctly installed, so you wouldn't have to worry about the crank pulley bolt contacting the woodruff key before it is properly torqued.