How do i check the key in the crank just pull the cog off?

   If it starts fine once its warmed up, could be the ECT sensor??

the distributer on the 16 valve turns the opposite way from the eight valve 1.6 engine, so it could still be a broken key on the crank  :-/

But if it was a key on the crank being bad, wouldn't it go more and more out of time? I have driven it like this for about 4 months now. I hope it could just be a sensor.

Could be the bolt tightened
and now it can't turn anymore,
could be a piece of the key is wedged
between the cog and crank

I took apart a jetski that the nut had
come off the flywheel, hit the case which
screwed it back on and it kept running,
then it came off again, totally destroyed
the key and the crank slot, wierd things
happen, but if you check it all out and
nothings wrong, then I would be puzzled,
because somthing caused the timing to
change, I'm just suggesting things that
could have happened

Thanks. I'm just praying thats not it. I don't have time to put my car out of comissino to check that.

It's not much more than the resetting
of the belt that you allready did

And think of it as good practice to
keep your skills sharp

Wild

So what do I have to do in order to check the key way?

Just get it all the way down to the
timing belt, remove the belt and the
bolt in the end of the crank, the cog
should pull off without too much force,
if it is stuck on, there might be a bad
key, I would reccomend using an impact
to remove the bolt, they can be a PITA
otherwise, espesially with an Auto Trans,
can't put it in gear to keep the engine
from rotating.

Now inspect the keyway, key and cog,
if the engine is TDC (Top Dead Center)
the keyway should be up, the notch in
the Cam Sprocket should be down, and
the rotor in the distributor should be pointing
to where #1 (front) Spark Plug wire is at,
if it is pointing at the opposite side, you are
180 out, but the notch in the cam would be
pointing to another spot too I think.

You might find some missing teeth on the
belt, inspect it closley, and cracks or checking
of the backing (smooth side) you should
replace the belt.

Hope this helps

Wild