1. Bent valves: When the timing belt breaks, the pistons will continue to move up and down, while the valves will remain stationary. This can cause the valves to hit the pistons, bending or breaking them.
2. Damaged camshaft: The camshaft is responsible for opening and closing the valves. A broken timing belt can cause the camshaft to be damaged, which can prevent the valves from operating properly.
3. Piston damage: The pistons can also be damaged if the timing belt breaks. This can occur if the pistons hit the valves or if they are forced to move up and down against the resistance of the compression stroke.
4. Cylinder head damage: The cylinder head is responsible for sealing the combustion chamber and housing the valves. A broken timing belt can cause the cylinder head to be damaged, which can lead to a loss of compression and engine overheating.
The extent of the damage caused by a broken timing belt will depend on a number of factors, including the engine speed at the time of failure and the type of engine. In some cases, a broken timing belt can cause catastrophic engine damage that requires a complete rebuild or engine replacement.
