Rep Power: 308

I currently have almost 130k orginal miles and I was almost certain we had a non-interference engine, and I could just ride it out till the timing belt popped. But some guy at Tire Rack said his computer said it was an Interference Engine, and I checked this link at it says it's an interference engine.
http://www.gates.com/downloads/

I can't recall where I read/heard that it was non-interference, but I was positive it was.

Does anyone know for certain whether our engines are interference or not?

Thanks.

ps, yes I searched, found nothing.

 
Rep Power: 0

Just change it. Not worth the hassle or cost to chance it!

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes it's an interference engine. Change the timing belt now or wait until it breaks, then change the timing belt and a bunch of valves.

 
Rep Power: 338

its interference.. ALL honda engines have been interference as far as i know... whoever told you that needs to be smacked... cause if the timing belt breaks.. you might be ok... but more than likely you will need a new head after it breaks and possibly pistons...

 
Rep Power: 328

Interference it is.

 
Rep Power: 0

What does an interference engine mean? ^^

 
Rep Power: 0

It means that the pistons will interfere with the travel of the valves if the motor is spinning out of synch - i.e. the t-belt breaks and the crank spins at a different speed than the cam.

Why would you need a new head? That makes no sense. Identify bent valves, remove them, install new valves and seals, lap them in, job done.

 
Rep Power: 338

spose you could go that route... but it usually ends up damaging more than id like to admit.. could get a used head i spose

 
Rep Power: 308

Oh MAN!!! What the hell was I thinking!!

I bought the car almost 7 years ago, and my last car was an interference engine, and all I remember is I somehow found out it was a non-interference, and I was happy about that.

CRAP. I have 130k miles, and I drive a butt load every week. I need to get this thing changed before I bust up a lot of junk. Ahhhh I'm going to call my shop, but I don't know how I'm going to get around. lol

Thanks guys.

 
Rep Power: 0

I'm not trying to be a dick here, but it usually doesn't end up damaging more than that. Those guides are ****ing tough, a lot stronger than the valve stems. So no, it usually doesn't damage more than that. Tensioner popped off on my Civic, partially bent 4 valves, nothing else damaged. Timing belt broke on my 85 CRX at 50mph, bent 8 out of 16 valves, nothing else damaged. And that's just my experience. Paul (bomerman) has bent more Honda valves than anyone I know and has never damaged anything but the valves themselves.

I know your sig says Trained Honda Technician, but again, your statements aren't making any sense unless you are just trying to get your service department more money from bigger tickets.

 
Rep Power: 338

its actually sort of a twofold thing.. have you seen prelude pistons where the timing belt broke at 7k? i just make it a habit of doing worst case scenarios in the event of, i have seen damaged pistons, but you wont know til you pull the head off

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes the engine is interference. So change it. But no not all Honda's are interference engines.

 
Rep Power: 0

Dude, I would replace time timing belt ASAP! I busted mine at like 133k miles last fall, it started clicking at a cold start-up a week before it snapped. I am still kicking myself for being so lazy, even know I got away fairly decent for what happened. I ended up breaking 8 of 16 valves, and after that was fixed some of the journal bearings went out as well. About $1,500 later it was all fixed, now I am having random misfires that may or may not be related. Don't chance it, you'll pay twice the money, or worse... be shopping for a new engine.. you could always get that K20 you've wanted.