[jmr123]

My sister who is on disability, who owns a Mazda Truck time belt broke when she was driving. She had the timing belt replaced. Now the car has no compression on the engine to start it her mechanic claims. He said the valves got bent or something. Is he trying to rip off my disable sister, or can this happen? Thanks Jeffrey & Barbara

[CaptainRich]

You are right to be cautious when it comes to auto repairs.
But, to answer your question, yes, the valve train is likely damaged and will need extensive repairs, perhaps even a cylinder head if it's damaged too severely.

Who would simply replace the timing belt without investigating or recommending further diagnosis?

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Agree with CaptainRich--unbelievable! A good rule of thumb is take it to the dealer, when you are facing major engine or transmission work.

[Dragonslayer]

Wait a minute here guys.. How would they have been able to do a compression test w/o a functioning timing belt? Now if they waited to button EVERYTHING up before they condemned the engine, I'd be a little leery.

As far as taking it to the dealer. There are plenty of crooked dealer techs and just as many honest mechanics at smaller independent shops. Just so you know, I am not trying to flame dealer techs, I am one.

[CaptainRich]

To answer your question, Dragonslayer, whoever did the t-belt should have known with t-belt failure, you will likely get damaged a valve train. Verifying suspected damage by close visual inspection wouldn't take much.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Agree. Common sense says inspect for possible valve and head damage.

[Dragonslayer]

I respectfully disagree with you. In all of my years, I've seen plenty of non-interference engines. I've also seen plenty of interference engines survive a broken timing belt where customers choose to give up on said vehicle only to have the techs purchase them for $300 and throw on a belt at the end of the day to have a cheap running vehicle the next day. Again, if all they did was to throw on a belt, time it, and ran a compression test, you shouldn't simply accuse them of being crooks.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

How do you spell malpractice?

[RUSTYSHACKLEFOR]

I agree completely with Dragonslayer. There is a good chance that it was cheaper to put a belt on and THEN test for compression etc. than it would be to pull the valve cover, remove what is needed to close valves and check for leakage. I run in to this senario often. Unless the damage is obvious I give the customer the choice, and 9 out of 10 times they will opt to pay 1-2 hours vs pulling a head especially if the vehicle is on its last leg to begin with. Yes this depends greatly on the engine. We don't know what year this truck is or what engine is in it, or what the repair shop and the lady discussed before the truck was looked at. As usual there are some BIG assumptions being made with very limited information. And we all know what happens when you assume something.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

That's right. You make full-disclosure and give the customer a choice; otherwise, it's malpractice to replace the T-Belt, take the money, and disclose, after the fact, the possibility of valve and head damage. However, that sounds like what was done in this situation.