How to determine damage on V6 when timing belt failed?

[nordwulf]

This 9-5 V6 is offered for sale where I live. Does a timing belt failure always end badly for the engine? As it is an interference engine, there may be piston, valve gear and cylinder head damage. Does it always end badly?

It would be nice to buy it for cheap and have it as a winter beater. I probably can do the timing belt myself but don't want to take the fix the rest of the engine.

2000 SAAB 9 5 V6-Bad Timing Belt $1000

2000 Saab 9 5, 155,000 mi. Love this car, it`s the nicest one I have ever had but the timing belt went out and I do not want to put that kind of money into getting it fixed. Has all the bells and whistles, high end car. TCB and Snow gear. Automatic trans. Sun roof, silver, leather seats, good tires, V-6 great on gas. dent on right side front fender. Lots more pictures, if you would like to see them just email.

[mattlach]

This 9-5 V6 is offered for sale where I live. Does a timing belt failure always end badly for the engine? As it is an interference engine, there may be piston, valve gear and cylinder head damage. Does it always end badly?

It would be nice to buy it for cheap and have it as a winter beater. I probably can do the timing belt myself but don't want to take the fix the rest of the engine.

2000 SAAB 9 5 V6-Bad Timing Belt $1000

I am by no means an expert on this topic.

I would think that it depends on how the timing belt failed. If the engine was running when it failed - however - it probably sustained significant damage.

[nordwulf]

I imagine when you crank the engine and it makes bad noises, there will be piston/connecting rod damage. Perhaps if you remove the valve covers, valve damage will show.

Unless it's really cheap, it'll be risk without opening up the engine.

[jlrSAAB]

don't worthwhile to repair an old fashioned 2000 engine and how is the AT after the timer belt failure..?. I am not mechanical,, don't care about my comments.

how the service maintenance? timer belt is after 60000 miles.

if you can find a new engine then it might worth

[raquettelaker2]

That engine is toast. There's no such thing as non-catastrophic timing belt failure on these engines. Bummer, looks like a nice car.

The valves are almost indefinitely bent. If you tried to crank it there would be no compression and you wouldn't get a normal cranking sound. You'd just hear the starter motor running freely.

[nordwulf]

That engine is toast. There's no such thing as non-catastrophic timing belt failure on these engines. Bummer, looks like a nice car.

The car in the pictures looked nice indeed. I briefly checked it out yesterday (turned out it was parked at a workshop 1/2 mile from work). The interior was very filthy with a foul smell of tobacco smoke. It was like when you stick your head in, you have to step back from the car and don't even dare to sit in it.

Obviously, the previous owner didn't take great care of the car so, even if the engine could be fixed, I would never drive it and it would be very tough to sell. Even $1000 for a parts car is too much.