Drive belt question

[turbomangt]

My son's 95 Sonata had the driving belt snap while on the highway. after we towed the car in we found out as a result of that, the engine was blown. maybe the gear heads will understand this more. evidently when the belt goes, the values are still open, and the pistons are smashing against the valves 3,000 times a minute. This has me concerned about the drive belts in our cars, I looked in manual and it says at 90,000 to replace it. I would hate to have it snap and toast the engine. his car had 120,000 miles, if I had replaced it at 90,000 as suggested, he would still have the car. they also showed me what the belt looks like and I was suprised to see how small the groves are that catch the gears. If our Cruisers have belts like the one I seen, I'd be afraid to go over 30 MPH. Gary

[Kirby]

Timing belts (not drive belts) are used to rotate the camshafts and other internal parts. Belts were brought in because they save as much as 15 HP over timing chains and can be more accurate, freeing even more HP and mileage.
Years ago the engineering on how durable the belt should be was a crap shoot at best. Todays belts are certainly more dependable, but you should take very seriously the 90K belt life because, when the belt fails, the pistons continue to move up and down in their bores while one or more valves don't. They are or may be set extended into the combustion chamber in the open position. The ensuing collision usually destroys valves, pistons and may score the chamber walls.[?]

[SteelBlueGT]

It is my understanding that some engines (interference) are more likely to damage valves then the (non-interference) engines that are less prone to do that when the timming belt busts. I don't know but would persume that our engines are non interfernce type engines. For the first 100,000 miles the belt is not required to be changed to maintain the emissions warrantee. I think I will change mine at 60,000 miles and sleep better at nights. It sure does get hot in that engine compartment!!

[turbomangt]

This event has opend my eyes to how important regular maintainence is. I will be looking in my manual and taking notes soon. Gary