Shredded timing belt

[CurtsLuminaZ34]

My friend dropped off his wifes very cherry"94" torch red Cutlass convertable at my shop Sunday, said it lost power and died going down the road. I though uh must be ignition or something? When I opened the hood to look today, I saw the timing belt covers cut out and lots of black powdered belt. I tore it down and discovered the center idler pully had failed and let the belt walk off. My question is this: how often do DOHC's
bend valves?? I have found that sometimes they dont, but I had to ask the dumb question anyway?? I am going to belt it up with new pullies and do a comp check. Curt

[Lyle's GTP]

Well, the consensus around here is that the LQ1 dosen't bend valves. Only is rare cases, when the belt breaks at like 7000+ RPM. So, if buddy wasn't bagging on his ride at the time of failure he should be OK. But, it sounds like poor maintenance to me. So I wouldn't feel sorry for him if the worst did happen.

Lyle

[3100 MPFI]

I find this very ironc. Same thing happened last week to a friend of mines 1991 Cutlass Coupe. They are getting the parts this week, and I might help them fix it. The car was also WELL maintained.

[Rhedalert]

THEYRE DROPPING LIKE FLIES!!!! RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CurtsLuminaZ34]

Thanks guys I feel relieved, as for the car the owner takes extreemly good care of all his vehicles especially this Cutlass, (it only has 50k on it!)
the timing belt was replaced less than a year ago at a shop in Tulsa, I found out tech decided that since it was low milage to not replace the idler pulley's! That was it's downfall. I always replace em no matter what.
Again thanks!! Curt

[Lyle's GTP]

Yup, poor maintenace. Or should I say poor maintenance techs. Actually, I can't really talk. When we changed my timing belt the instructions we had, never said to replace the pullies. So, we inspected them all and regreased all the bearings, and buffed the pulley surfaces to remove any scoring to the plastic. It's been over 3 years and 50000Km's of 90% city driving and I haven't had any problems yet. I think a good practice would be, to remove the serpentine belt assembly and timing cover. Then check the pullies and belt for excessive wear and play in the bearings. What else can you do? Besides change the lot of them before they fail, or wait till they fail, we don't have alot of options.

Lyle