Well, she had it towed to a dealership for them to look at it. They said it would be $4,000 for a new engine.

She found out later that they didn't really touch it and did not do any tests. They charged her almost $100 to push it inside the gate (about 20 feet slightly downhill) and tell her it was locked up (they couldn't start it). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

She found another shop nearby and I went with her to talk to them. The owner said that only some of the valves should be bent and he did not expect any damage to the pistons, crankshaft or camshafts (one set of valves should stop the pistons). $900 to rebuild it, including new timing belt, water pump, pulley and valves (if it wasn't completely locked up as the dealership suggested).

Engine was not locked up. He gets into the engine and every valve is bent. Head needs to be replaced. The bill will be $1,700.00. Now, I'm starting to think he said what he needed to, to get the vehicle into his shop.

My sister also said that he told her that there was a recall on these vehicles for some seals and that's what was causing the leak and possibly damaged the timing belt the first time. The dealership that performed the timing belt repair was "in the process" of losing its dealership. The timing belt should have been done under the recall.

What a mess! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />