Chrysler says: interference.

[PetePT]

[EDIT: They were wrong, it is not an interference engine BUT valve damage may occur, read whole thread.


After hearing different, no, yes, who knows , I emailed Chrysler and asked: Is the engine in my 2002 non-turbo PT Cruiser (included vin#) an interference engine?

Answer:

Dear Peter:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center.

After researching the issue, I can confirm that the 2.4 Liter I4 DOHC 16V SMPI Engine is an interference engine. I hope this information is helpful to you.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,
Steven

Customer Service Representative
Chrysler Customer Assistance Center

So yikes, I've got to plan on that ^%$@!# timing belt.

Pete

[quicksilverdon]

Reply back and tell him he's an idiot.
Interfernence means the valves can hit the pistons - they can't - but the valves can hit each other.
Either way, timing belt is better done planned than unplanned.

[PetePT]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Reply back and tell him he's an idiot.

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

Interfernence means the valves can hit the pistons - they can't - but the valves can hit each other.
Either way, timing belt is better done planned than unplanned.

Thanks! So he's wrong. I am going to email back this info and see what he says (it took a week for the last answer).

I'll post it.

Pete

[PetePT]

Well that was quick!

1st I got the brush-off:

Dear Pete:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center.

Unfortunately, the information you are seeking is unavailable at this time. General information on the subject matter of interference engines may be available via the internet. We appreciate your interest.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,
Steven

Customer Service Representative
Chrysler Customer Assistance Center

>_>_>_>_>

So I reiterated:

You do realise that this reply is going on public internet forums?

So: Chrysler told me that the 2.4 is an interference engine. A mechanic that has worked extensively on them said no, that's mistaken, the pistons will not hit the valves, but the valves may hit each other.

I ask Chrysler for further clarification and I'm told to hit the road?

Pete

>_>_>_>_>_>

That worked:

Dear Pete:

The 2.4 Liter (148 cu. in.) in-line four cylinder engine is a double over head camshaft with hydraulic lash adjusters and four valve per cylinder design. The engine is free-wheeling; meaning it has provisions for piston-to-valve clearance. However valve-to-valve interference can occur, if camshafts are rotated independently.

The cylinders are numbered from the front of the engine to the rear. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

I hope this explanation is helpful.

Thanks again for your email.

Sincerely,
Steven

Customer Service Representative
Chrysler Customer Assistance Center

>_>_>_>_>_>

So technically it's NOT an interference engine as you said. But I'd still better change the darn belt as again you said. It's got 70k on it, I'll wait till spring.

Pete

[edsidders]

Gee
My engine must have been put in wrong the cylinders don't run from front to back..

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by edsidders

Gee
My engine must have been put in wrong the cylinders don't run from front to back..

Good catch...

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by edsidders

Gee
My engine must have been put in wrong the cylinders don't run from front to back..

Left (passengers side) to Right (drivers side)???

[slartyblarfast]

Originally Posted by edsidders

Gee
My engine must have been put in wrong the cylinders don't run from front to back..

Actually if you want to be real picky about it.... The cylinders don't run, they are stationary and the pistons reciprocate up and down.

[767skyking]

I am finishing up on a blown head gasket repair... Cannot find this question on a search. Do you need to bleed the lash adjusters so that the valves won't hit the pistons on startup?

[quicksilverdon]

No. The pistons cannot hit the valves.