TIMING BELT FAILED - AT MECHANIC

This means that your engine has been damaged and the mechanic needs to take it apart and see what has been damaged. I don't quite buy the story that the idler failed but it doesn't really matter what caused the damage as long as they take care of it.

Most likely the valves have been damaged and they can rework the head and it will be good as new again. Second most likely would be that the valves are damaged and the pistons are damaged in which case you are looking at bigger problems. If they claim that the pistons are not damaged I would require them to provide good pictures of each piston so that it can be confirmed that they are not damaged.

You need to make sure you and they have a very clear understanding of who is paying for what before they run up some ungodly bill and expect you to pay for it. That does not mean asking a bunch of newsgroup junkies what we think when 'caue nobody here is going to help you pay the bill if we are wrong Sit down with the owner / manager and make sure you both are on the same page. Sometimes parts are bad and sometimes people make mistakes... Don't go after them in a blind panic or all pissed off unless they are not going to take care of the problem.

Steve B.

Who knows? It could be damaged. It could be fine. The mechanic should pull the head and look and see what's happened. Maybe he'll need to replace some valves, maybe the whole engine, or maybe nothing. It all depends on what position the thing was in when the belt came off and how long the engine took to stop.

I think morally they are liable, since it probably happened because they didn't put the thing together properly. I don't who is legally liable. But you are about to find out how well your mechanic stands by his work.

--scott