If I break a timing belt in 1996 trackick 1.6 16v motor, does it damage the motor, or does it spin free without piston, and valve clash?

Thanks, Grant

non-interference motor.

Great!! Thats good to know.

Thanks!!

Common courtesy dictates that you now give us the backround story. 

Girlfriend's truck? 

A loaner from a friend that you entered into SCCA Solo I without prior clearance? 

A day off from school with Dad's pride and joy, which was subsequently "borrowed" by parking attendents while you were at the game, and which you tried to very quickly back off the accrued odometer mileage?

C'mon, out with it.

No, I just bought one with 75,000 miles, and I dont know if it has been replaced. Just wanting to see how important it is to get it changed. Anyway to tell if it has been done?

not really. a good mechanic usually are nice enough to write on the timing belt cover the odo when it was done. (unfortunily my kicks PS didnt get the mech to do so...) im playing the game of should i or shouldnt i...

If I break a timing belt in 1996 trackick 1.6 16v motor, does it damage the motor, or does it spin free without piston, and valve clash?

Thanks, Grant

Damage will occur, the 16v is a interference engine, the 8v is a non-interference engine.

Oh great, so now we have two different opinions. Who is right, and who is wrong?

I know of an engine where the timing belt broke at some rpm and there were no issues but if the head has been skimmed then you may get some issues.

The attachment is from a 1995 Geo Tracker factory service manual for vin code 6 (1.6, 16 valve).  Please read the notice on the lower right hand side.

I did a search on this subject before starting the thread, and it went the same way. It was started years ago, and is way back in the archives. It listed all these same points(the service manual, the guy that tried it by hand, etc) . I was hoping that by now, it wouldn't be a question. There has to be allot of people that have broken them by now, and know if it did damage? I think I should probably just replace it, and be on the safe side. Just wanted to spend that money on mods instead.

16v is non-interference. In the last then years of watching Suzuki forums, I've NEVER not ONCE read of someone who damaged the internals because of a snapped timing belt.

That said, it should be easy enough to peak behind the timing cover and inspect the timing belt. If it's showing typical signs of wear (chunked teeth, cracking etc), replace. If not - leave it be. I can't remember exactly what the change interval for timing belts is... it's either 60k or 120k... so you might be all right. I'm too lazy to walk across the street and check my chilton manual right now 

The attachment is from a 1995 Geo Tracker factory service manual for vin code 6 (1.6, 16 valve).

Alldata has the exact same warning: CAUTION: Do not turn the crankshaft and camshaft independently of one another once the timing belt has been removed. If the crankshaft or camshaft is turned independently, interference between the pistons and valves may occur causing component damage.

Quote

The attachment is from a 1995 Geo Tracker factory service manual for vin code 6 (1.6, 16 valve).

Alldata has the exact same warning: CAUTION: Do not turn the crankshaft and camshaft independently of one another once the timing belt has been removed. If the crankshaft or camshaft is turned independently, interference between the pistons and valves may occur causing component damage.

I don't know the answer, but the term "...may..." has CYA written all over it.