420a Timing tensioner pully bolt snapped

[92 Black Nite]

I took my Talon to a shop for a water pump. Was recommended that it would be good to get a new timing belt since it had to be removed to get to the pump. Got car back and it was great for 75 miles then while going down an off ramp the car died. Called my Mech. he got the car back to his shop looked at it and said the Timing tensioner pulley bolt snapped. He put in a new bolt in the pully to see if the valves were bent. he said they were and now it needs a valve job plus a Timing tensioner & pulley & of course the pully bolt . Was this just bad luck or what could have happened to have the pulley bolt break. This sucks I just spent $400 for the water pump timing job and $375 for state insp. & repairs $775 total. I having the car towed back home because I don't have the $1500 estimated cost of the repair ,plus any other damaged items. This is an experienced car builder. But he does'nt know what broke the bolt. Any Idea's or has this happened to any one?

 

[EsiGoneT-Esi]

same exact thing happened to me and destroyed my ss valves. I would just think it was bad luck.... dont blame the shop. I would just go to the local u pull it and grab a head. there are plenty of write up's on how to do this job... if not buy a repair manual and get to it! I would also recommend switching to a mechanical tensioner setup as well. good luck

 

[Veneclipse]

Just wanted to comment on this. I just replaced my 98RS (Hahn turbo) head gasket, Head bolts, Water pump, seals, belt, pulleys and related hardware + Clutch at 100 k miles. My belt tensioner pivot bolt broke, not the pulley bolt. This is where the hydraulic tensioner "Pushes" in order to tighten the belt. The end result is the same, a a destroyed timing belt plus 8 valves and 4 guides. Painfully expensive!
Living outside the US it is really hard to find. No Mitsubishi or Dodge dealers have it (although a DOHC neon should use the same if it also uses the Hydraulic tensioner).

 

[rmb019]

got me also. 400 miles on a brand new, forged, low compression 420a. pivot bolt snapped and put an end to my new setup before I even got to boost it. lame

 

[Brad Bell]

This occurred to me a ways back, pivot bolt snapped while driving on the highway. Completely wrecked the valves and destroyed a few piston rings. I'm on a new built short block + reman cylinder head running 20psi on 16g turbo w/ standalone MS2 for 3 years now, zero issues.

Never understood the true cause of the bolt snapping though.