* A knocking or rattling sound: This is the most common symptom. The pistons and valves are no longer precisely timed, leading to impacts between them.
* A grinding or scraping sound: This indicates more severe damage, possibly involving valve-to-piston contact.
* A change in engine performance: The engine might run rough, lose power, or even fail to start.
A slipped tooth is serious and should be addressed immediately. Continuing to run the engine with a slipped timing belt can cause catastrophic engine damage, requiring a costly rebuild or replacement.