1993 timing belt issues

[greejeans]

the timing belt on my escort has broken. I have the 1.8 Mazda engine in the car. Does anyone know if this engine is non interference? Is it worth fixing?

[12Ounce]

I don't think any manufacturer used a belt on an interference engine since the late 80's .... could be wrong. Most interference engines now use a chain (even more headaches!).

You can easily determine by merely rotating the crankshaft with a wrench to see if it hangs up. Pulling the plugs first makes it much easier.

[greejeans]

So...even though it gave out while i was driving my engine should not be damaged?

I hope your right and thanks for the answer...i did not want to buy a new engine or car.

[12Ounce]

If the engine had been an interference design, it would not have merely "given out" ... there would have been a loud, abrupt noise associated with the engine seizing-up.

[Torch]

Remove your valve cover then rotate your cam shaft until one of the valves is fully open (rocker arm has pushed it all the way down), remove all four spark plugs (this will get rid of engine compression) then slowly rotate your crankshaft four times, this will run all four pistons up and down, if you don't feel any of the pistons hit anything then you have a non-interference engine. If you do feel the piston bump something and stop then you have an interference engine.