'96 Astra 1.6 16v Cambelt failure.

Depends on a variety of factors, such as engine speed at time of failure, if she let the car roll to a stop with the engine still engaged to the wheels, and if she tried to restart it.

You may be lucky and get away with a few munched valves which a head from a scrap yard may sort, or some rogue valve may have fought back with the piston and holed it.

Only way to check is whip the head off and take a look.

Ta, G.

Moderate to severe valve damage is a certainty with this engine, piston damage is fairly rare unless the engine was running at fairly high load or was excessively windmilled.

You also know that the belt change interval on these has been 36k for about

3 years, and that if its not had the updated metal timing belt idler and tensioners fitted this is almost certainly the cause of belt breakage / belt chewage??

Tim..

In all my 20 years as a mechanic it is very rare indeed that piston or other lower end damage occurs when the belt breaks.

I have done plenty of this type of repairs & all that usually happens is that the pistons get small dents in them at worst.

However i have seen severe head damage due to broken valve guides and alike.

Of course it is possible that " sods law" might prevail to some people though.