Interference engine

Asked by breanna_bergere May 17, 2016 at 09:43 PM about the 1995 Ford Escort

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My car's timing belt and water pump broke
the other day. I was going at a very slow
speed when my car just shut off and no
longer worked. We took it to the shop and
he said that I had an interference engine
and it's possible that my engine is totally
shot after this. But I was wondering if
because I was going a slow enough speed
that the pistons probably didn't damage.
However my mother did try to start the car
multiple times (I regret calling her may I
add) and I don't know if that would actually
cause any damage regardless of how slow I
was going.

2 Answers

90

Why is the compression test show 1 cylinder at 60 psi the other three at zero . Does that mean the car needs a new engine or just a timing belt? I was told By Elite automotive to scrap the car because of the compression test. They told me I need a whole new engine. I’m confused.

5 people found this helpful.
10

If your timing belt is broken, you cannot do a proper compression test, since the intake and exhaust valves won't operate in sync with the pistons. Any compression test results done on a car with a broken timing belt (or even a slipped one) mean nothing.

1 people found this helpful.

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