Hello everyone
I have a situation here that I hope some of you can give me some advice on. I own a Yamaha Breeze that is ridden by one of my boys (age 6). All of the riding is done under supervision on our place. This Breeze is only about 1 1/2 years old.

The other day, I was watching him ride when the engine suddenly died. I walked over to the Breeze thinking it might be out of gas. (it was not) When I engaged the starter, it sounded funny like the engine was not even turning, so I loaded it on a trailer and took it to my dealer.

Understand that the kind of riding we do is primarily trail type on a ranch here in East Texas. All supervised by an adult, with some mud in the winter for fun.

The dealer called me and said that "both valves are bent" and that the camshaft is "messed up". He said that it was caused by either (1) no oil or (2) water ingested into the engine. He quoted a price of $575.00 to repair it.

Keep in mind that this is is a very new low time machine. Now to address his reasons for this happening: (1) No oil - the machine has never even been low on oil,( never even had to add any) and it was at a normal level when I took it to the shop. (2) Water ingested into the engine - The only water we have been around is riding on the ranch when it is wet or raining. He does ride the Breeze through puddles and such, but has never ridden it through deep enough water to ingest it into the engine. It was not ingested through the tailpipe because I am the only one who washes it.

My questions are these: (1) what would cause this to happen to an engine like this? Is there anything else that would cause this (such as a factory defect)? I am very picky about our 4 wheelers, and do not think that this Breeze has ever been in water deep enough to do this. Surely, a spray of water from a puddle a few inches deep cannot do this to the engine, can it? (2) If this is what is wrong with the engine ( I am going to take it somewhere else and get a second opinion) is the quote to repair it too high? Sounds high to me. The only parts included are a camshaft, valves, piston rings and O rings and gaskets. Is it normal to replace the piston rings without replacing the piston and/or cylinder?

I appreciate any help you guys can give on this subject, obviously a repair of this magnitude was not in the budget for this summer. Thanks again for all of the advice...
Clint