Hi guys, I am posting this for a friend of mine. Here is the story: 93 Lexus SC400- Water pump broke and took out the timing belt. He called me I went to his house pulled the timing cover off and varafied that the belt was in fact broken. I told him to take to a Toyota/Lexus specialty shop to have the timing belt and water pump replaced. He ended up taking it to a general automotive repair facility not specializing in Toyota or Lexus, a "Jack of all Trades" type of place. The shop replaced the timing belt and water pump and called him and said that there are 3 cylinders that have no compression because of the pistons hitting the stuck open valves. This struck me as odd. I am no stranger to working on Toyotas and in my past experences I have never seen a belt driven Toyota or Lexus bend any valves in the event of a timing belt breaking. They are trying to sell him a whole new engine in the sum of about $5,000.
I have searched all over the web and this website and the overall concensus is that the 1UZ-FE is a non-interference engine. But even with an overwealming majority saying it will not interfere there is still some people who claim it will interfere, but they don't seem to have anything to back up their claims.
I would like people to post their experences with timing belt breakage. I really would like to hear of at least someone that had the valves bend. Personally I think interference on a 1UZ-FE is impossible and the mechanics are clueless or they are trying to take advantage of my friend. Can anyone tell me with 100% certanty if it is possible? I appreciate the help!