Mitsubishi Repair: 1995 Mitsubishi Galant, timing belt replacement, mitsubishi galant

Question
Hello, I brought my car in for a timing belt replacement at the miles, about 3 months ago.  Last month on the freeway, I felt something break in the engine, and the car started to slow down and became hard to move, but I made it to a gas station when the car finally died completely, and would not move at all.  I found out that the car requires 2 belts to be replaced during a timing belt job, but the mechanic only replaced the larger one.  The smaller belt broke.  He said he would replace the smaller belt for less for $98, since he acknowledged the error on his part.  After he replaced it, they found that the vent valves (?) were bent (not sure exactly what he said).  He described how some part will move, but another part doesn't? Do you know what he's describing?  Long story short, it will cost $653 to fix the problem, including $53 for the part.  He said he needs to remove the valve cover and get into the engine.  Does this sound like anything that had to do with the belt breaking, which they should have replaced, or something independent of the timing belt?  Who should be responsible for the cost of repair?

Thanks.

Answer
Rob: Hello. Sorry to say that yes that sounds about right. When out on the freeway when you felt something let go, you should have pulled the car over to the side of the road, and stop it. But you kept going, as we all do this. But shouldn't. In doing so, you caused a lot of engine damage, such as the vent valves, the valves is what opens and closes in an engine to first let in the fuel mix and then to let it out again. When that belt broke, it threw the engine out of balance and so threw things together. So damaging the valves. I really think you should get him to pay for half of that work, because if he had replaced that other belt as he should have you would not have this problem now but then you should have shut the car down the minute you felt that belt go. But I don't know if you can get him to do this. It might be that you will have to take him to court to get it done. Yet, I would try. I mean he is mechanic, so he should have checked his work before he closed up that engine. While looking in my repair manual, I see that your mechanic should have replaced both belts, because the timing belt and the balance shaft belt are right there. Well could be he looked at the other belt and thought it looked ok. But still when doing one you should always do the other. You really need to get him to lower his cost some, as I said half for you both. That would be fair, but then who knows maybe he thought this might happen and so a way to get more work. I am not saying this but so many, many shops are not fair to the customer. Maybe you trust this guy and have had work done there before; then he should be willing to work with you. You need to go out and buy yourself a repair manual for your car. You should be able to get one at any parts store for around $20.00. You then could read up on what it takes to change those belts and then go back to talk to this guy. Because you will know if he is trying to pull the wool over your eyes again. You need to ask him to give you some kind of agreement on the car once it is done, I mean all this engine work. Because how can you be sure he will not mess up your car again? I mean just becareful please. Keep me posted on this would you, (oppedal50@yahoo.com) Hope this helps and good luck!