Dear Sir:

It appears you have met one of the many unqualified, unscrupulous mechanics around.

It can only be that your timing belt was improperly installed resulting in contact between a valve and piston crown.

If contact did NOT occur immediately on start-up but only after an extended period of driving it means that the belt came loose and jump a gear tooth or two, resulting in mis-timing of the valve train and crankshaft.

The belt was improperly tensioned and tightened.

It is safe to say that the valve is damaged and that the piston has been badly weakened.

This sort of damage should be the responsibility of the mechanic who did the job.

There is NO WAY that he is NOT RESPONSIBLE for your problems, not only did he recommend the repair but he undertook it himself - you did not go to him.

Go back and demand satisfaction - don't let him touch your engine again, just present him with the bill from a proper repair and demand payment.

After settlement, NEVER, EVER have a repair done by him again.

You can however, recommend him to people you do not like.

Sincerely,

Dusky Lim