12 the 1999 2200 engine an interference one?

Asked by Robert Aug 13, 2016 at 02:25 PM about the 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Timing chain may have broken. Need to know if it did, if any valves are bent. If it's an interference engine, is there a way to check for bent valves via compression test without installing the timing chain. No point in spending for the parts if the head/pistons are damaged.

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Bob answered 7 years ago

You could remove the valve cover and turn the engine to see if the camshaft and the valves are moving. If the valves are moving then the timing belt or chain is not broken, but it could still have jumped timing. I suppose you could, if cam and valves are moving, position the valves on one cylinder in the closed position and apply air pressure to that cylinder via the spark plug hole and listen for air escaping at the exhaust pipe or intake manifold. Not foolproof , but might work.

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