Burnt Valves

I took my 1999 Outback in to get the timming belt replaced for its 100,000 mile tune-up. Afterward, it started missing and my check engine light came on. I took it back to the shop, and they said that they put the belt on a cog and a half off timing. After the second repair, it still ran rough so I took it back again. This time they stated that I had burnt valves and had to get the heads machined and new valves - costing $1200. They claimed it was running too lean and had a carbon build up on the valves and this just happened to happen after the timing belt was replaced wrong. Can this happen? Or is it from the timing belt. Please help.

Hard one to call, with the cam belt being incorrectly fitted this has changed the timing of the actual firing of the fuel so your valves wouldnt be opening and closing at the correct time. 100k is not alot for this engine and sounds like they have caused undue damage to your car. Also another reason yours may be rough is the valves have actually hit the pistons and this has caused distortion to either the head or valves. Either way only way to confirm would be to remove the head. If these problems were not evident when you took it in for the belt then I would suggest the garage fix it for you or at least remove/replace the head for free. As you are aware great care must be taken when replacing any cam belt why has this garage put it on wrong in the first place ?

Good luck.

always ask for the parts back.if they bent the valves and just said the valves were burnt to cover themselves.but let me add that the valves due burn at that milage on 2.5 twin cams.if the valves were truly burnt and you had them you could check them youself easily to see if they are bent.sorry for your loss thou.

I have the same problem. Had a head gasket problem. After the fix which included the timing belt replacement the car sounded loder with lots of knocking after 700 miles the check engine light came on indicating a missfire on cyl 3. What can it be.