I've always thought that the B230 engine was the type that wouldn't be damaged if the timing belt broke. But recently I read something that said it would be damaged if the belt breaks. What's the correct answer. Thanks Brad

If it's the 16valve 4 cylinder it probably would be toast, if its the 2 valve b230f it's install the new belt and go. Did this just a couple of months ago in my girlfriends car. Thank God she was within walking distance from home, only about 1/4 mile. My friend and i towed it home and i did the job in the driveway. My trusted Volvo tech friend loaned me his volvo special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley for removal. Tom Wasney 240aholic

As far as I know, there are only 3 'red block' engines that are interference. Only one in the US:

B234F

Abroad:

B200K

B230K

What about the B200E? Interference or not?

re-read my post. Is the B200E on the list? If not, it is not an interference engine.

Nope, that was the B200K, not B200E. I thought the lesser displacement might have something to do with interference/non-interference.

nope. the 'K' motors are really weird. the piston comes right up to the head, but the pistons are heavily dished.

Brad, No damage to engine when the timing brakes. But Please stay away form the Expressways until you install a new belt. Learn from Don’s experience :-)

Your engine, assuming it's the B230F, is non-interference. The engine stops dead in its tracks, but nothing inside the engine will be damaged if the timing belt breaks.

However if it breaks while you're entering the expressway, then the car behind you might slam into you, driving you into the car in front of you. The you'll spin outta control into the hi-speed lane and someone will nail your entire right side, you'll be pushed into the guard rail and wipe out the left side, slam into the curb and bend all your wheels, flip over three times and destroy the roof, then slide head first into the tree destroying the hood, grill, radiator, AC, bumper, and windshield.

Because you have your seat belt on you'll be fine, of course.

And your engine will run great once you install a new timing belt.

Consider a new timing belt at each 50,000 mile celebration: 50k, 100k, 150k, 200k, 250k, and so on.

Or you have wife, three kids, and dog in the trusty Volvo wagon, making good time on a dark cold night somewhere far from anywhere, and the thing snaps. Very few things will stop a Volvo so suddenly and so completely.

Assuming that you can get the family to warmth and safety before hypothermia sets in, you will still have a dead car full of personal belongings 300 miles from the nearest mechanic who can get a timing belt and knows what to look for inside a Volvo timing cover. And, you will probably want your "home" mechanic to check out the tensioner etc. later anyway. Makes a mess of your holiday, if even the actual repair is cheap and quick.

Interference engine or not, timing belts are good things to be extra cautious about.

Stop I have goose bumps all over.......:)

Did you watch the Daytona 500? That reply seems rather detailed, or was it from personal experience?

"...was it from personal experience?"

No personal experience like that to draw on, so I had to imagine it.

"...watch the Daytona 500?"

Nope. What an amazing — and sad — outcome. The news this evening said something about a broken seatbelt, and earlier someone told me he wouldn't wear his head restraint.

Earnhardt wore an open face helmet, and he wasn't one of the half dozen or so (out of 43 drivers) wearing the HANS (head and neck support) device in the Daytona 500. Here's an article from espn about the seat belt:

http://espn.go.com/classic/s/2001/0223/1104412.html

Interesting article, sad story.

The message for us Brickheads is to confirm your seatbelt's in good shape and wear it.

Thanks, Mike.

No damage. Put a new belt on and go.