Oh nooooo.... that little piece is broken! Also - I tried to adjust the timing (following instructions) and the shaft won't 'disengage' from the gear even when the screws are completely removed, so it would seem that something is seized in there! So sad. Will have to take her to a professional at this point (and get some money back from the seller who advertised the machine as 'working well'. It's a shame how many sellers have to be educated on the meaning of phrases like that. It's like selling a car and saying it's working well because the engine turns over, but - oops - the transmission is toast. Obviously the car is not 'working well'!!! Arrrggghhh!)
Thanks all for your help!