Last Thursday the timing belt broke on my 2000 Neon 2.0. It only had about 40,000 on it since I changed it 2 years ago due to a leaking water pump. Anyway my question is - Is this motor in fact an interference motor or not? I am getting some mixed information so I hope I am at the right place for the truth. If so what are the chances there is NO valve damage and other than pulling the head is there any other way I can determine this? Thanks.
rmitch47
11-17-2009, 06:53 PM
Well sad to say, but it is a interference motor, probably has some bent valves, hopefully it didnt damage the pistons! What is weird though, those belts usally last longer that that. I would be sure to see what caused the belt to break at 40,000 miles,before putting it all back together. Good lux man,
If you are repairing it yourself again, just line up timing marks, put on new belt adjust your tentioner (so you dont bend anymore valves)and before putting everything else back together, you can take out all your spark plugs, then do a compression check on each cylinder! The ones that have no compression, is the cylinders that has bent valve or/and hole in piston...The thing is since it is a interference motor, more than likely there is some bent valves, but you can do that check to make sure.
TX_Firehawk
12-11-2009, 07:35 PM
Yank the head bro. You need to see if any valves are bent before changing the belt.. And like rmitch47 said it should not have broke @ 40k. I would look at the tensioner pulleys to see if that is what made it fail.
At this point you need to get a timing kit along with a new belt.
You want to be sure the water pump is OK if you are going to reuse it.
Have a shop check the head to make sure it is still flat and replace valves as needed. Also replace the valve stem seals. This cost me $300 a few yrs ago.
Throw a new head gasket at it and you should be good to go at that point.
There may only be a few bent valves b/c once it hits one or two the motor typically comes to a stop right after that. Last motor I fixed b/c the belt broke only had 2 bent (b/c they were next to open when the belt broke).
Good luck.
edit: your engine uses a newer style tensioner that will be needed than what that pic shows.. not a big deal, just did not want to confuse you with that pic.
donald7150
12-24-2009, 09:57 PM
Yeah my '97 threw one two summers ago, i was going about 120km/h in 3rd gear when it took a shit. I demolished 6 valves in the process but i was lucky the pistons didnt get hurt. 6 new valves, New belt, water pump, head gasket, replaced all valve seals and a bunch of other stuff i was back in business til the next summer when she threw a rod
No shame to it tho. she stood up to the abuse quite well i figure
