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The Timing belt scam.

Your vehicle shudders to a halt on the motorway, the recovery service are quickly on the scene and they state; the cam belt has broken, nothing can be done here, your car is then quickly taken to a garage. The mechanic says; your car engine requires a considerable sum to put back in working order as valves are bent.
But beware valve damage does not happen to all car engines when timing belt snaps, and before agreeing to expensive repair costs, check whether your vehicle could be one of the make of cars that a broken timing belt will not damage the engine, (a timing chain is fitted to some models that rarely breaks.it should state this in the owners manual.) This could save you about £500.
Tip; Ask the garage to carry out a compression test to confirm valves are in fact damaged. (This may incur a charge, as a new timing belt has to be temporary refitted.)
Most timing belts fitted today are of the long life type and should last up to 100,000 miles.

When replacing the timing belt on your car, ensure your garage uses fitting kit, this includes tensioner roller and bolts, some models have a tensioner spring which should always be renewed. Sometimes after a large mileage, belt sprockets should be replaced.