Well f**k thanks for all the input mate I do appreciate it, I'll have to send it off to the local dealership for a top end rebuild I don't have any of the tools required to even start with a rebuild

So just for my own stress levels and after re reading my entire thread I never mentioned that after I replaced my plugs and leads I tried starting it again and if I pulsed the gas petal a few times and got a heap of pressure behind the injectors it would fire at 2k RPM for a few seconds then just drop in revs and stall. It sounded perfect no sound of valves hitting pistons or anything Is that more of a guarantee that I've bent valves?

it should be fine. you can address that yourself if you have the timing belt tools, mainly this bolt https://www.ebay.com/itm/147258704993?

Cheers mate, im still trying to decide whether to just loosen the tensioner adjust the timing and hope the valves are all good release the tensioner and see what happens or just send it straight to the dealer and accept the massive bill

yea if the crank sounds normal and consistent no tapping sounds then you may have got lucky and could get away with just re-timing it. No harm in trying that.

So the misses decideded she wants it taken to the dealer for the 100k service so it'll ended up getting trailered in and they can set the timing since they're gotta do the belts anyway, so for the time being just gonna start the cosmetic of turning the rocker cover and support bar purple

come on. you can do it. thats what it takes to be an evo owner

So after speaking to the dealer they want a arm,leg and kidney for the timing belt and 100k service so I'm gonna do it myself, besides a tensioner set screw and belt tension meter what other speciality tools should I have ready before I attempt to do the timing belt and balancer shaft belts myself?

Alao has anybody used a gates water pump or timing kit and could trll me whether there decent or just a waste of money?

I bought a similar set way back
https://ebay.us/m/jV5TdN
I think i read the Gates waterpump is no good. I do prefer using the Gates belt

Thanks mate, that helps me a load, I couldn't find alot of good reviews on the waterpump myself so I'll probably just get the belt and pulley kit and grab a pump from somewhere else