Timing belt snapped and want to replace it. - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu

* V-Belts (older cars) are cheap $3-10. Even cheaper if you buy more from on-line sites like Amazon.com or WalMart
* Timing belts a lot more $25-40. But the problem is not the belt but the labor needed to replace the belt. Like a Head gasket for $5 but +150 labor to replace (remove engine components and remove, clean head)
* Chain timing belts and internal timing bells are more along with the added precision labor (it's inside the engine block)
* What caused the belt to snap? Worn belts can probably be replaced as simple wear and tear. New broken belt is cause to check for engine lock up, broken parts, Heavy part (from road) damaged under carrage. Need to have a mechanic check.
* Be safe. Have a qualified Auto Mechanic check and service your car.
* Check your warranty. Call for service.
Aloha, ukeboy57

I assume it's your timing belt, not a chain, which rarely, if ever snap. Depending on the make of the car and the engine you may, or may not, have serious engine damage.. DO NOT ATTEMPT to start the car, have it towed to your shop of choice. If there is no engine damage a timing belt replacement generally will run you 2 or 3 hundred bucks...if you did serious engine damage you may have to decide if the car if worth the money to have it repaired. What you need to know is whether your car has an "interference" or "non-interference" type engine.. In an interference type engine if the timing belt breaks the valves will "interfere" with the pistons as they travel up if the timing belt breaks, which results in generally catastrophic engine failure.. non-interference engines generally suffer little or no engine damage with a broken timing belt.. I broke a timing belt on my 1990 Toyota Supra going 70mph, but it was a non-interference engine and after having the belt replaced it was fine.. here is a good list someone put together on what type of engine is in your car.. you should find the engine type either marked on the engine or on a label under the hood, or the owners manual.. good luck. http://yourcarangel.com/2014/07/interference-engines-complete-list/

Apparently there is a tensioner that is not keeping the belt taught and it is not centered correctly on the pulleys. Or the pulley itself could be cracked warped or nicked.. Check out all the components carefully. A small nick or crack can cause the belt to chafe and run off the pulley and snap.

I would suspect a bent valve or two when the belt snapped. Verify the belt installation is correct and the timing marks line up. Do a compression test. If a valve is bent, the head has to come off and the valve(s) replaced.

usually when the timing belt snaps it damages the valves also you have to get the head valves checked for damage if they are damaged its $$$ you have to replace if the head is not broken also
if so
you need to replace the valves
valve guaides
valve seals
and get it valve grinding

it has to go to a workshop dont try to crank the engine again as if something saved will be saved
but if you keep trying you can damage more parts

The pistons will hit and bend the valves if the timing belt snaps because they are very close.The alternator does not connect to the timing belt, there is a separate belt that runs the alternator.

Yes it is as bad as the belt snapping, if your lucky there will be cutaways in the pistons so the valves may not have touched, its a bit tricky to check until you replace the belt and can check valve clearances and cylnder compressions,
or remove the head and check.
If you replace the belt it is often recommented to replace any bearings and pulleys as well, as a tight bearing may be the initial cause.

it sounds like the timing is off
when you replace a timing belt after it has snapped you risk internal engine damage-i would start by checking the timing-the belt may be on wrong-if that is not the problem you may be looking at a new engine

just fixed my Audi TT ... timing belt snapped so the head had to come off to replace valves. used dial guage on top of piston !
if head is on then there is a plug you can remove that allows you to see top dead center..

sounds like your timing belt may have slipped or snapped a ceased timing belt adjuster could cause this check your timing belt and adjuster and all belt adjustment pulleys before you fix the valves otherwise its bound to happen againalso make sure your engine oil is full