What happens if a timing chain or belt fails?
The engine stops running. If the cam drive fails, the camshaft stops turning, the valves stop opening, and the engine stops breathing. The engine will stop and will not run because it has no compression. A timing belt or chain failure can cause expensive damage in ?interference? engines that don?t have enough clearance to prevent the valves from hitting the pistons if the cam stops turning or jumps out of time. Interference engines include most Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Nissan and Porsche engines, also some Audi, BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi and VW engines, as well as Chevrolet 1.5L and 3.4L, 1995 and newer Chrysler 2.0L and 2.5L, 1997 and newer Chrysler 3.2Land 3.5L, and Ford Probe 2.0L and 2.2L engines.
