405 Mi16 timing belt

[gcbear]

I have a '93 405 Mi16 that stripped a timing belt during a gentle downshift at very low speed. There was no noise, crunch, or lurch: the engine lights simply came on as though it had died from idle, and then it would not start.
How likely is it that the valve train and pistons are undamaged?
How likely is it that a simple belt replacement would put it back on the road?
I ask because the Haynes manual suggests that turning the crank with no belt will cause valve damage, and because the only Peugeot mechanic I've been able to find in the southeast region of US (where I live) said it probably ruined valves.

[504gld]

Its a difficult thing to estimate. I think the more important thing is to establish why the belt failed. Did the water pump seize up? or it could happen all over again. I'm not sure how much the valves when open pertrude in to the cylinder when fully open but if they do and have been hit by the piston then it will need to be rebuilt. Turning the engine by hand could damage an open valve. You could remove the spark plugs and use long dowl to establish the positon of each pistion, making sure that none are at TDC before..... rotating the the camshaft slowly watching the movement of the valve stems. A mashed value isn't going to move up and down the same amount of distance. If all looks ok, check the rest of the timing belt path, water pump, crank seal, etc, make sure there is no leaking oil as this will eat the belt. If your happy nothing is damaged then time up the engine, and fit a new belt with a new belt tensioner. Complete a compression test before starting the engine. Fingers crossed, I hope some of that helps but by no means take as gospel.