Since you didn't list the engine size that you have there's no way to know if you have an interference engine. If yours is, yes the valves will be bent anytime the timing belt breaks or jumps a few teeth. That can be caused by wear of the rubber belt or tensioner components becoming worn or loose. On many engines the timing belt also runs the water pump. Those can develop sloppy bearings that lead to timing belt failure. Even if the water pump is not the cause of a belt problem conscientious mechanics will replace it anyway when they replace the belt because it's cheap insurance against a different future failure that would be an expensive repair by itself. Almost all manufacturers specify replacing the belt between every 75,000 to 100,000 miles which is supposed to be before they break, but on some cars the belts commonly break before that. I would never own a car with an interference engine. If the belt breaks on my minivan it will still be a good four to five-hour repair but the valves will not be damaged.
Jul 5, 2013 at 4:24 PM
