Quote:
The mechanic said with the loss of compression he thinks the rings are done and likely the guides are melted. (Again I have a pretty advanced handyman but this beyond my wheelhouse). Also something about the rings being destroyed. All of this is based off the lack of compression.
This does not make sense. If it is a non interference engine, timing chain/belt goes, engine quits, you roll to a stop.
Interference engine, chain/belt breaks, the valves stop moving, the pistons keep moving, they collide, lots of internal damage results, such as bent valves or busted pistons.
When it quit, did it die with a bang or a whimper?
With no timing belt/chain, of course you're not going to get compression. The valves are not opening and closing to allow air into the cylinder, and sealing the cylinder on the compression stroke. For instance, if the chain broke on the exhaust stroke, the exhaust valve is still open, and you'll never get compression on that cylinder.
Guides melted? Did you run it out of water or through a fire? Valves guides are metal, they don't melt without intense heat. On a 2003, they are probably worn, but "melted" is not a term I've ever heard for valve guides.
And you rings may or may not be shot, but the timing chain had no more to do with that than the color of the underwear you were wearing. And like the "melted" guides", "destroyed" rings aren't really a thing. Worn out, sure. Destroyed??????
I don't doubt that it's possible that the engine is going to be so expensive to repair, that the car is effectively totaled. But unless I've lost my mind or this is a terrible translation between your mechanic and your post, it sounds like he told you your muffler bearings are shot and you're out of blinker fluid.
