http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=690192&Main=675003


Scroll down to "Axe Man"'s second post. He states its non-interference. In addition to testimonies of busted belts with no damage done to the internals.

But, who is right? Are our engines non-interference or not?

Steve

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

First of all, Nice ride, however, it would really get messed up when you take it hunting!!!
BACK TO BUSINESS: I had the same question and was told the motor was non-interference, so I bought a motor with a broken cam gear and belt. It runs perfect. Also, Kia tells you to turn everything without the belt to line up the marks. If you do this on a motor that is not a non-interferience, the valves would hit the pistons. When I took my old motor out I removed the timing belt and spun the crank a few times just for fun and nothing hit. However, these were all DOHC motors, I dont know anything about the SOHC. If your neighbors car had bent valves, maybe she had some broken conrods too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />
Anyway, All the direction I was given a few weeks ago say it is non-interference, and all the experience that I with both motors out has backed up that information.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

If you want I can take a video of the crank turning and no timing belt to anyone....AFTER I GET BACK FROM CABO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

Enjoy your trip <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I know for a fact that the doch engine is non-int and it even states it in the manual. the soch on the other hand I'm not sure of.

CORRECT Depending on year of vehicle...Naturally <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
But it certainly does not "NEGATE" the responsibility of the operator to maintain a timing belt as indicated.

No it does not negate my responsibility to change it but its not as critical as it will not destroy the motor if it does break before I change it, if it does then I will tow it home with my 4Runner and drive my Eclipse around while she drives the 4Runner. Didn't mean to spark a war, I was just stating that it is on the list of things to do but I had to repair some other priority items before. Besides, I just talked to the previous owner and it was done at 100k. So no worries. He did send a reciept/invoice and I can tell someone was in there because the t-belt cover is missing a bolt or two. Its all good though!!!!!

No....in fact ALL of the DOHC are non interference, regardless of year...

The only ppl that had "issues" were ppl that had the "changeover" year vehicles with the SOHC engines, mistakenly ID'ed as a DOHC by the year designation (ca 1996?).

The SOHC will not "automatically" self destruct if it has a belt failure (a lot depends on what position the cam was in when the belt let go), but it is FAR more likely than the DOHC engine to get damaged.