Thou sayest:

I just talked to the shop. They told me that the new belt is not installed. Prior to installing they run a "leakdown" test wherein they monitor cylinder pressure while manually rotating the camshaft. Low readings were recorded for two cylinders, I believe. I asked them to recheck but to put a few "squirts" of motor oil in each cylinder first to help seal the rings.



Think about what they said -

Monitor cylinder pressure - hard to get pressure in a cylinder with valves held open.

Low reading of two cylinders? Should be expected since some valves are open.

Well, the leak-down test will make no difference either, since the cam is keeping some valves open all the time.

Moving the car to another shop will be a PITA, but....

The symptoms you experienced when the engine stopped are classic for t-belt failure. Usually occurs when engine load is increased. The teeth on the belt where it is wrapped around the crankshaft gear come off the belt. Belt looks fine, crankshaft turns, belt and camshaft do not.

When attempting to start, engine turns over with a up-and-down noise, as starter speeds up when the piston comes up in a cylinder where the valves are held open. Running a cylinder pressure test is just burning daylight.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)