95 SC Chain Busted...Ripoff Mechanic?

I believe the Saturn is an interference design. (Many timing chain driven engines are interference design due to fact that chains are generally more reliable and last longer if properly maintained than belts.) This means that if the timing chain breaks that it is quite possible (highly probable) that the pistons and valves could collide causing the type of damage you have seen in your vehicle. Have they taken off the head and looked at the valves yet? Did they also check the pistons too? (I'd hate to think they will hit you up for a cracked piston after they get the head off, but this too is possible.)

As to whether they could have know for certain that a valve had been bent in advance, the answer is in my opinion is "no", although they should have certainly communicated this was highly likely due to the design of the engine.

As to their offer of less now, I guess they are simply telling you that the property is worth less now that they know the situation. Seems they offered more before and assumed that risk. Without knowing more on the real condition, mileage, etc. it is hard to judge if they are trying to take advantage of you or not. If you think the vehicle is worth more than the repair estimate, then you should get it fixed. If not, then walk away. You also can always have the car towed to another shop, but now that one shop has already begun the work with the timing chain, you will not likely find one that would take the work for less and still guarantee the work/outcome.

This is pretty much just a bad situation al around. Only you know if they are trying to take advantage of you here. If you suspect that is the case, call around, find out if they should have known the valves were bent and get some estimates.

Good luck!

Bob

It is an interference design. Something that you must remember about

Two Reasons

-The timing chain tensioner works like a ratchet and moves to tighten the chain over time with oil pressure. If it it gets stuck the chain will get loose.

-A small hole oils the chain. This hole can get clogged up and the chain will starve for oil and wear out.

Depending on how you drive and what kind of oil you use you shouldn't go more than 4000 miles between changes.

As to what the value of your car is we dont know. This thing could be a high mileage rust bucket. As for the valves, sometimes they oddly manage to survive and sometimes the engine flat out grenades. I dont understand though why you are saying you were quoted $450 for timing chain work then they said it needed a new engine then $150 for a timing chain work again. Are they offering to work on a blown up engine for 150 bucks now that wont do you any good? If the engine is good then 150 bucks to get it going again is a deal. Sounds like they did want the car though.

blah blah wrote: I dont understand

The $150 they said that I owed was for the parts, and they would eat the labor ($300) if I sold them the car.

The Saturn dealership told me that anyone who calls themself a mechanic would never go ahead with timing chain repair on an interference motor without informing the customer of the likelyhood of severe engine damage.

They didn't say anything of the sort, it was either because they are ignorant, or were trying to rip me off, knowing that since I declined to sell it to them, once they did the chain they could hit me with the "blown motor" bit and get the car anyway. I snuck into the lot on sunday and popped the hood to see if they even did the work on the chain, and they did have the head off. I just can't believe that they would do that work without first assuming that greater damage was likely to have happened.