Al lot of times people need personal experiences rather than theory or hearsay. Well lemme tell you that this can indeed happen because it happened to me a couple of years back. I was driving normally, and then all of the sudden I heard a snap-like sound, followed by all of the power going out in the car and I couldn't start it back up. Of course when it happened the first thing I thought about was "timing belt." And sure enough that's what it was, said it bent some valves and stuff and that I would need a new engine. $2500. Miles over my extended warranty. Hope that is not you, my friend, but if it is then you can use it as an excuse to upgrade to a better engine! Start taking donations now...