Mitsubishi Repair: 99 Mitsubishi Galant Engine troubles, mitsubishi galant, machanic

Question
Hello,
I have a 1999 Mitsubishi Galant ES (automatic 2.4 liter 16 valve). I know you can't give me an exact answer without seeing the car but any advise would be great. The other day I started the car was driving when I noticed the engine was making a real deep humming noise. I parked the car and went into the store and when I came out I started that car was putting it into reverse when it just died. When I tried to start the car it did nothing. I could hear the engine trying to turn over but it just wouldn't start.
I had the car towed to Rabens repair shop and they looked at it and said it was an internal problem. They got the car started and said it was spitting and sputtering out of the tail pipe. They said they wouldn't know till they broke down the engine. I know that is going to be quiet expensive but the machanic that my brother goes to said it sounded like the timing on car was off. I'm not an expert on cars but could the timing cause it to spit and sputter out of the tail pipe and make it run rough? I would appreciate some advise.
Thanks Kevin

Answer
Kevin,
Poor timing would indeed cause spitting, sputtering, and the inability to start.  If your timing belt has slipped due to excessive wear on the belt or tensioner, this can cause your problems.  

I don't know if I would agree that the mechanics would have to tear down the engine to find the problem if they were able to get it started again.  Usually if the timing belt had broke and caused enough damage, they would have never been able to get the car running.  

Usually for repairs that I feel will cost a lot of money, I recommend taking your car to a few shops to get estimates.  Ask what each shop charges as an hour rate, and see if the shops have the same diagnosis as to what the problem is.  Once you hear the same diagnosis from a few different shops (don't tell one shop what the other one said the problem might be), then have the least expensive one, and the one that seems to know more what their doing, actually fix your problem.
Good luck!