Re: Timing belt breakage

[tygera@rpi.edu (Allan Tygert)]

>My understanding is that the 5 cylinder engines, such as the one in my 87 
>5kCSTQ, are "non-interference" engines, so a timing belt break just leaves 
>you dead by the side of the road.  However, the V-6 and V-8 engines are 
>"interference" engines and when the belt breaks bad things can (and often 
>do) happen.
>
>
Did they change the engine from 86 to 87?  The belt snapped on my 86 at 80k
miles and I needed eight new valves.  Nothing trick on the engine, all
stock.  The mechanic I took the car to was telling me the same thing your
saying.  In fact, he was trying to convince me that the engine was not low
clearance.  I imagine he was pretty embarassed when he called me back to
tell me the valves were toast.  Needless to say, this mondo bozo has not
seen my car since this dark time of my Quattro history.

My advice to anyone with this engine: don't mess with the timing belt.
Change it at regularly scheduled intervals.  It's not worth another 3 or 4k
miles.

Allan Tygert
tygera@rpi.edu