Hello
I'm new to the forum and trying to help my sons girlfriend with her car
She owns a 2002 PT Cruiser and the timing belt broke while driving its a 16v engine
If the belt breaks on these engines do the valves get pounded and hit the pistons on these engines

Thanks for any help,,,Chris

 

9 times out of 10 no but u do have a chance of it doing and no way to know unless u replace the bet and test it or remove the head and look at the valves closed.

 

Ok great thanks for the heads up lol....

 

The engine is free-wheeling (non-interference); meaning it has provisions for piston-to-valve clearance. However valve-to-valve interference can occur, if camshafts are rotated independently.

 

It is useful to know under what circumstances the belt let go. Idling in the driveway or easing away from a stop light, and it's probably undamaged. At 70 MPH, however, different story.