Interference Engines?

Which engines are interference engines? Is there a site to go to? I have the '99 2.0L SPI. Thanks!

Your 99 is definitely an interference engine. Had my 99 2.0L to Ford when the fuel pump went out and the service guy advised me to change the timing belt every 60k miles as this is an interference engine.

what is an interference engine? I understand that my 1.9L is also an interference engine, but what does that mean?

If you blow the timing belt, your pistons will hit your valves and damage them and possibly your piston(s).

To expand on Jet-Lee's explaination, an interference engine is an engine where the valves are timed so that they open and close in sync. with the pistons. The clearances are so tight that if the timing belt breaks the valves stop immediately but the pistons continue to move up and down. When this happens the pistons will strike the open valves bending them.

Thanx GTP

thanks for the insite i guess i better make sure the timing is tdc when i put it back together then. since i am replacing the timing belt and water pump shouldnt be to hard to put it tdc.

I think I have found out what it looks like it the timing is off. here is a link to the pics that i took. Not to sure how to post them here so i had to add them to the f-150 site i use also.

http://www.f150online.com/galleries/albumview.cfm?num=6104

let me know what you guys think I think i am just going to get a new engine.

Well I brought the head to NAPA and they said it was a broke seat. I had the do all the head work and replace all seats. Only had two valves bent. will pick the head up tomorrow.

I have a '93 (1.9L engine) with 90,000 miles on it. I'm a little ticked off because the timing belt just went and I was told by my brother-in-law, when he gave me the car, that the timing belt had been changed already (he is "no longer with us" so I can't even question him on it).

I plan to tackle the belt/waterpump myself (can't afford anything else), however, if there are bent valves, I'll probably have to junk the car. Is there anyway for me to tell if the engine has been damaged before I try to tackle the belt?

Thanks,

Escorts are not supose to be interference, I have fixed a few escort's that had the timing belts break, and the valves where fine, just slaped on a new belt and they where on there way.
But I have heard of it happening, I guess if every thing is just right, the valve and piston will kiss.