Interference engine

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Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Mutiara

An Interference engine is a type of internal combustion engine where in the event of a serious valve train failure, or a 180 degree timing error, could lead the valves and pistons to strike each other. The most common cause of this a broken timing belt, but a catastrophic timing chain failure can also bring about this situation.

Interference engine
Damage caused by timing belt failure.

For an engine to work properly, the actions of the pistons and valves must be precisely harmonized. This is accomplished in three ways. In racing engines, gears may connect the camshaft and crankshaft. In street engines, that task is accomplished by a timing chain or belt. When the chain or belt is installed, the camshaft and crank must be turned so that the number one cylinder is at Top Dead Center, or when it is at the maximum of its stroke. Generally, there are timing marks on the timing gears. or pulleys to aid in this, and the gears themselves are usually keyed to prevent misalignment.

If the belt or chain breaks, then this relationship is destroyed, and the valves and pistons move independently. In most automobile engines, this does no serious damage. The motor simply stops running until the belt/chain is replaced and the engine retimed. Even when the valves and pistons are at full extension, a small gap remains between them. This is called a non-interference engine. If the chain or belt breaks in an interference engine, the piston and valve will strike each other. The least this will do is bend the valve. The piston may also be damaged, and bits of metal may work loose in the engine. An engine rebuild is required, with engine replacement a possibility.

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How to Avoid a Valve Piston Moment

Timing Chain failures are very rare. A timing chain is basically a short bicycle chain, often with doubled links. They are usually good for well over 100,000 miles. When they fail, it usually involves stretching. Timing chains generally provide a lot of warning before they fail, giving on average a year of driving.

Timing belts are different. They are really nothing more than a wide version of the serpentine belt that operates your car’s accessory drives, such as the power steering pump and alternator. They are cogged, to permit precise timing. Timing belts break with little or no warning. While belt life varies, most require replacement every 60,000 miles. 30,000 miles is recommended for Porsche owners. A vehicle’s service will contain information on whether the engine has a chain or a belt, and if a belt, its expected life. The manual will also tell you whether or not the engine is an interference design.

If the timing belt or chain is changed on a vehicle the tensioner must also be changed. If a timing chain is being changed, then the gears should be changed as well.

Interference engines with timing belts

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MakeYearEngine size (L)
Acura Integra86-891.6
Acura Integra91-951.7
Acura Integra90-951.8
Acura Legend86-892.5
Acura Legend91-953.2
Acura Legend86-902.7
Acura Vigor92-942.5
Acura NSX91-952.0
Audi77-93
Audi70-731.9 1.8
BMW 325I 525I87-952.5
BMW 740I94-954.0
Chrysler Colt93-951.5
Chrysler Colt87-881.5
Chrysler Colt87-881.6
Chrysler Eagle Summit92-951.5
Chrysler Eagle Summit89-921.6
Chrysler Neon Stratus94-982.0
Chrysler Eagle Talon90-952.0
Daihatsu Charade88-921.0
Daihatsu Charade88-921.3
Daihatsu Rocky90-921.6
Fiat 128 Series74-791.3
Fiat Stranda79-821.5
Fiat 124 Series74-781.6
Fiat 124 Series74-781.8
Fiat 131 Series, Brava74-781.8
Fiat Brava, Spider79-822.0
Ford Escort EXP81-851.6
Ford Lynx Topaz Diesel84-872.0
Ford LN7 Lynx81-831.6
Ford Escort Tempo84-852.0
Ford Probe89-922.2
Ford Probe93-52.0
Ford Ranger86-882.0
Ford Ranger852.7
Ford Ranger86-882.3
Ford Diesel Ranger86-872.3
Ford Crown Victoria91-984.6
GM Geo Metro86-951.0
GM Firefly (Canada)89-911.0
GM Sunburst (Canada)85-881.5
GM Spectrum85-891.5
GM Prizm, Storm90-931.6
GM Diesel (Canada)81-841.8
GM Buick Skyhawk82-861.8
GM Buick Skyhawk87-882.0
GM Buick85-973.0
GM Saturn90-981.9
GM Quad Four88-952.3
GM 1979-95 3.8L Buick79-953.8
Honda Prelude86-871.0
Honda73-781.2
Honda73-781.3
Honda80-841.3
Honda73-781.5
Honda Civic85-891.5
Honda Civic CRX88-951.5
Honda Civic Del Sol93-951.5
Honda79-841.5
Honda CRX85-871.5
Honda Civic Del Sol93-951.6
Honda73-781.6
Honda80-821.6
Honda Civic CRX88-951.6
Honda Prelude Accord84-871.8
Honda79-831.8
Honda Prelude86-912.0
Honda Prelude90-912.1
Honda Prelude Accord90-952.2
Honda Prelude92-952.2
Honda Accord952.7
Hyundai Excel Scoupe84-851.5
Hyundai Accent95-981.5
Hyundai Elantra92-951.6
Hyundai Elantra93-951.8
Hyundai Sonata92-952.0
Hyundai Sonata89-912.4
Hyundai Sonata90-953.0
Infiniti M3090-923.0
Isuzu I-Mark87-891.5
Isuzu Stylus Impulse90-931.6
Isuzu Impulse87-892.0
Isuzu Diesel Truck81-872.2
Isuzu Truck Trooper86-952.3
Isuzu Truck Rodeo Amigo88-952.6
Isuzu Trooper Rodeo Amigo91-963.2
Kia Sportage952.0
Mazda 62684-852.0
Mazda 626 MX688-922.2
Mazda Pickup89-932.2
Mazda 929 MPV88-953.0
Mitsubishi Mirage Precise85-951.5
Mitsubishi Mirage90-921.6
Mitsubishi Galant Eclipse89-952.0
Mitsubishi Diesel Pickup83-862.3
Mitsubishi Galant94-952.4
Nissan Centra821.5
Nissan Sentra Pulsar83-881.6
Nissan Pulsar87-891.8
Nissan Stanza 300ZX82-892.0
Nissan Maxima 300ZX Pathfinder84-953.0
Porsche 924 (excluding some NA versions)76-832.0
Porsche 944 Series76-892.5
Porsche 944 Series892.7
Porsche 944 Series89-913.0
Porsche 92876-834.5
Porsche 928844.7
Porsche 92885-915.0
Porsche 92892-955.4
Suzuki Samurai Sidekick85-941.3
Suzuki Swift89-941.3
Toyota Tercel86-951.5
Toyota Pickup81-832.2
Toyota Pickup84-872.4
Toyota Celica Cressida82-882.8
Toyota 4-Runner87-943.0
Volkswagen76-91all except 1.9, 2.1
Volkswagen Golf (Canada) Jetta90-921.6
Volkswagen GTI Jetta GLI Passat90-952.0
Volvo Coupe 940912.3
Volvo 240 740 94086-942.3