In a diesel engine, the compression ratio is typically much higher than in a gasoline engine. This higher compression ratio means that the valves are subjected to greater forces when they are open. If the timing belt snaps and the valves collide with the pistons, the damage to the valves is likely to be more severe.
In some cases, a snapped timing belt can also damage other engine components, such as the cylinder head, pistons, and connecting rods. The extent of the damage depends on the engine design, the engine speed at the time of the failure, and the number of engine revolutions that occur after the belt snaps.
If you suspect that the timing belt on your 2.5 Transit diesel has snapped, it is important to stop driving immediately and have the vehicle towed to a qualified repair facility. The sooner the vehicle is repaired, the less likely it is that you will experience extensive engine damage.