* Bent valves: The pistons can collide with the valves, bending or breaking them. This is the most common and costly type of damage.
* Damaged pistons: The impact of the valves can also damage the pistons themselves.
* Damaged cylinder head: The force of the collision can crack or damage the cylinder head.
* Damaged crankshaft: In some cases, the crankshaft can also be damaged.
The extent of the damage depends on several factors, including the engine design (interference vs. non-interference), the speed the engine was running at the time of the break, and the specific point in the engine's cycle the break occurred. Some engines are designed to be "non-interference," meaning the valves and pistons won't collide even if the timing belt breaks. However, this is less common, and even in non-interference engines, other components may still be damaged.
In short, a broken timing belt is a serious event that often results in a significant repair bill or even a need for engine replacement.
