Timing Belt Hydraulic Tensioner Arm failure? Safe to drive?

[Happydude]

Hi Everyone,
I've owned my 96 Mx-3 V6 for over 4 years now but never knew about this place.Says something about how reliable it been!

So today I'm out driving and hear a loud rattle like the cars broken a driveshaft.Checked and found nothing left engine running and rattle subsided so nursed it home.On closer inspection the noise seems to be from timing belt side so googled it and found this place!
I have checked old threads and it looks like the timing belt hydraulic tensioner arm has went.The timing belt was replaced by a mazda dealer at 64000 miles but cant see any evidence of them changing the tensioner.

I couldn't in old threads if car would be ok to drive to garage for repair or have I done damage from driving it home after it happened?

Thanks for any help in advance

[wytbishop]

The only trouble is if the timing belt skips because it's not tight. The engine will stop running if this happens but it's a non-interference engine so there's no chance of the valves hitting the pistons if it does...you'll just need a tow. If you nurse it you should be able to get there.

[Happydude]

Did'nt even know that it had a non-interference engine so wasnt wanting to drive it in case pistons and valves wanted to have a bit of top/bottom end orgy!

You sir are a star.Thank you very much.

[wytbishop]

Happy to help. Welcome to the forum.

[Daninski]

You usually wouldn't change the tensioner on the first belt change. The second belt change usually around 200,000klms you do the belt, tensioner and water pump just because you already have everything apart.