Hi William,
On all but 3 of the Canonets I have worked on (about 20), the timer has not been as issue.
On 2, the timer was sticky but cleaned up without too much problem. On the 3rd, someone had forced the timer to try and release it and bent the cam in such a way that I couldn't straighten it. Having taken the front off it was possible to reset it so the camera worked but as soon as you moved the timer even a little bit, it locked up the shutter until you took the front off and reset it. In the end, I disabled it on the inside. When the timer lever is moved it puts a lock in front of the shutter release. This is moved out of the way once the timer runs down. If the timer is sticky and you try to force it "off" you can easily end up with the damage I mentioned above.
How good are you are taking the front off to get at the mech? I always try them and clean if necessary. Once this is done, it is not a problem. However if you try it and it sticks and you are not happy tinkering, it is time to send the camera off to be sorted. My advice would be that if the camera has had a CLA, try it. If not and you don't need the timer, why not leave well enough alone. If you need the timer and it sticks, well it would have to have been sorted anyway. Just remember that if it does stick, don't try and force it.
Kim
