the timing belt snapped whilst my car was in idle mode how bad will damage be and what is the next step to fix myself?

diane springall, January 2007

if your cars the fire engine in it, it wont have done any damage. just a new timing belt and tensioner will sort it out.

pete, February 2007

If the engine was running at the time the belt snapped the could be untold damage to a number of valves. Repair will probably require removal of the head ( top half of the engine ), replacement valves grinding in, head refitting with all electrics and a replacement head gasket, then a new timing belt and thouroughly timing before attempting to start the car. Looks like an expensive job unfortunately.

Moz, January 2007