I have a 2006 Mitsubishi Galant es. The timing belt in my...


I have a 2006 Mitsubishi Galant es. The timing belt in my 2006 Mitsubishi Galant snapped. There’s at least 150k miles, if not 160k the most. It snapped while I was in park in my driveway. I read that with interference engines, the...

I have a 2006 Mitsubishi Galant es. The timing belt in my 2006 Mitsubishi Galant snapped. There’s at least 150k miles, if not 160k the most. It snapped while I was in park in my driveway. I read that with interference engines, the valves can bend upon a broke timing belt. My question is: does my car have an interference engine, and hypothetically if I do have an interference engine and the timing belt snapped on park, is there a chance that the valves could not be bent? Mechanic's Assistant: How many miles are on the timing belt? Have you ever had to change it before? No, I JUST got this car in December but it passed inspection from august 2020 and it’s due in 2021 between 150-160k Mechanic's Assistant: Are you fixing your Galant yourself? What have you tried so far? Just tried to jump start it with a hemi engine from my mom’s truck. Didn’t work. AAA tested the battery and said it was fine but the second AAA guy had it towed to a mechanic and he looked in my oil instead cap and said that the timing belt snapped my question is: if I have an interference engine, and the belt snapped while in park, is there any possible chance the valves DID not bend? I wasn’t driving it when it died just died in park Mechanic's Assistant: Anything else you want the Mechanic to know before I connect you? Only other issue is a hole in the muffler but I don’t think that has to do with the timing belt lol

Automotive Expert
Hello, my name is \*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\* to just answer! I will be assisting you with all of your vehicle questions today. I’m really sorry that you’re having this issue and I’m going to help you through it, but please understand that I (respectfully) don't know your skill level or tools you have to assist us to diagnose/repair your vehicle. Also, understand that I can't see, smell, hear or touch the vehicle either, so your patience/understanding is appreciated. Please allow me up to 10 minutes to gather schematics and other pertinent information for this issue. I do not know anything about the fees or charge so please if you have any concerns, direct them to customer service. My aim is to give you the best service possible and to help you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I appreciate your patience and will provide responses as soon as possible. Thank you. It doesnt matter if it was in park or not, the pistons and the valves are still moving. theres almost a zero chance the valves arent bent.

if the car is on, and it's still in park, the pistons still move? I'm sorry I truly know nothing about cars and my facts are from Google, I just need help with it being dummed down for comprehensionAlso, if the valves are bent, the mechanic man told me that it could damage the whole motor? Or... I would just really hate to have to do an engine swap or let alone buy a new car as opposed to just changing the belt :/
Automotive Expert
ok
Automotive Expert
if the valves are bent, it at the very least will require rebuilt heads if the pistons have damage to them, which yuo wont know unless the heads are removed, then you will need a new /rebuilt engine

No but I mean, since it's an interference engine, does that mean that everytime the belt snaps, it means I need a completely brand new engine because the valves will be bent?
Automotive Expert
if the pistons have damage to them, which you wont know unless the heads are removed, then you will need a new /rebuilt engine

the chances of the pistons not being damaged are slim because it's an interference right?
Automotive Expert
the chances are high BECAUSE IT IS an interference engine you will not know until the head/s are removed

Ahhhh okay sorry trying to understand it all
Automotive Expert
no problem. but, more than likely its just the valves since it was in park thats no guarantee though

Okay, so let's say it's JUST the valves. Would that mean that I don't need an engine swap? Because it's only if the pistons are damaged that I'll need a swap right?Again, I don't know much about cars, sorry.
Automotive Expert
correct

Okay and you said that the valves will be 100% bent and the pistons aren't 100% but it's a higher chance of it being bent. That would be my last question, I think I got most of it :)Also that we won't know until the head cap comes off
Automotive Expert
the valves **will** be bent. the pistons might not be damaged at all since it was in park when it broke

Okay okay I got it haha sorry it's hard for me to understand cars it's like a gift to be able to understand it all!Thank you so much David, this actually really helped a lot especially considering I dont know anything about cars and I'm a very young adult.
Automotive Expert
don't be sorry.,,, you are very welcome. God Bless. stay well.

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