??Is the 1996 2.2L an interfering engine??

[RJinSC]

My 1996 Cavalier just lost it's timing chain (pulled the timing cover and found a broken timing chain and damaged tensioner).

Does anyone know if the 2.2L engine is an "interfering engine" (piston / valve contact)? Trying to determine if I need to expect valve damage. Are there any quick checks for valve damage short of pulling the head?

Any advice is appreciated.....tks

[hoosier1]

Originally Posted by RJinSC

My 1996 Cavalier just lost it's timing chain (pulled the timing cover and found a broken timing chain and damaged tensioner).

Does anyone know if the 2.2L engine is an "interfering engine" (piston / valve contact)? Trying to determine if I need to expect valve damage. Are there any quick checks for valve damage short of pulling the head?

Any advice is appreciated.....tks

The 1996 2.2 Cavalier engine is NOT an interference engine. The timing belt has NO recommended replacement schedule.
It is my personal belief that you should replace the belt at 90,000 miles along with the water pump and alternator.
bob

[fragmentals]

I`m not sure exactly what determins whether an engine is described as interferance on not. I have a 96 2.2l with a bad timing chain and 8 bent valves.. I`m thinking it is.
Frag

[Three_Fingers]

Interference means that the valves and the pistons occupy the same spaces, only at different times.
If you have a '96 2.2L with a bad belt and all bent valves, You could safely say that it's an interference engine.

[amantalv]

Does anyone know the answer to the above question for sure?
Friend of mine broke a timing chain on the same engine/vehicle and he hasn't pulled the head yet, but kinda trying to figure out what to expect.

Thanks

[noshun]

Originally Posted by amantalv

Does anyone know the answer to the above question for sure?
Friend of mine broke a timing chain on the same engine/vehicle and he hasn't pulled the head yet, but kinda trying to figure out what to expect.

Thanks

Pretty sure it is an interference motor as I've heard of bent valves plenty of times from timing chain failure and timing chain should be changed 60,000 miles. Anyhow to check for broken valves, remove the valve cover and spark plugs, get yourself a compression tester with an air hose fitting and a valve spring compressor. rotate the crank to TDC on cyl one and then rotate a further 90 degrees if it wont turn then it's probably hitting a valve and you should seewhich it's hitting as it'll move. if you make it to this point, remove the rocker rack and then starting from cyl 1 work you way accross, pressurise the cylinder (if it wont pressurise then you probably have a bent valve then compress the valve springs one at a time, remove the retainer and tie a piece of string to the end of the valve (the string is to prevent the valves falling into the cylinder) release the air pressure and see of the valve moves freely if not it's more then likely bent but you can usually tell straight away. Repeat for all 8 valves and then if you have bent valves, replace the springs, retainers, pushrods, lifters and followers! Good luck!

[RJinSC]

I posted the original question....just to let anyone who is interested in what happened;.... had to pull the head.....spent several weekends under the cavalier... ...I guess I'm a mechanic want-a-be ...sure took me a long time to get everthing back together and running again.

If your timing chain is making a rattling noise, highly suggest you change it out. The tensioner is made kinda cheap, once it goes, the timing chain develops slack, (results in a rattling noise), and appears to get jurked hard enough during acceleration over time to break.....due to the slack in the chain....once the timing chain goes, pistons and valves will make contact, resulting in bent valves.

Hope this helps keep someone from having to do a valve replacement job along with the timing chain replacement.....I'm getting too old to do that again .