Subject: Engine questions
Question: I have 98 Galant ES and have a few quetions I would like to get your input on.
1. I hit a parking meter pole(bent the pole) and would like to know if that could of jared anything within the engine. Especially in the timig belt area.
2. I would like to know what if anything would help to let a mechanic know if the workmanship done on a timing/balance shat blets and tensioner would be the cause for bearings being worn.
3. Basically the timing belt had knicks in it and the balance shaft belt was fraying and snaped after only two months after replaced. Could the mechanic somehow screwed the engine up by messing around with the parts while he figured out how to do the job.

Please give me some insite on these couple questions.
thank you
Answer: Scott,

1. Hitting anything 'could' disturb engine components, but most of the impact is absorbed by the frame of the car. I would guess your timing belt wasn't directly affected
2. Damage to the bearing can be caused by an improperly tightened belt. When mechanics install a new tensioner, many times that have habit of overtightening the belts.
3. Similar answer as (2). An overtightened belt will snap prematurely. I had a very qualified replace my timing belt, drive belts, and tensioner, and he overtightend the timing belt. My belt nearly snapped in two in less than a month.

If I didn't catch the problem I had with my timing belt in time, I would have needed a whole new engine. Mitsubishi have some pretty complex engines and the timing belt is crucial. Make sure the mechanic working on your car is qualified enough for replacing your timing belt.
Good luck!