Interference or non-interference?

[zroger73]

Just wondering if the timing belt breaks if there is a risk of bent valves, etc. I suspect it is an interference design.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by zroger73

Just wondering if the timing belt breaks if there is a risk of bent valves, etc. I suspect it is an interference design.

You are correct, the 3.5 liter V6 in the Ridgeline is an interference design. If the timing belt breaks, you will cry when the repair bill is delivered!

[zroger73]

Thanks for the confirmation! Normally, I wouldn't care about such a thing since I've historically only kept a vehicle 1 or 2 years (and not more than 36,000 miles), but I've been so dang happy with this Ridgeline during the first few weeks that I can see it hanging around for a while. The only other vehicle that pleased me well enough to keep it for 7 years/101,000 miles was my once-new '99 Regal LS that I traded in on the Ridgeline's predecessor - an '06 Accord EX-L (which I probably would have kept around for a while if it had a trunk large enough to carry drywall).

[Jenskp]

Just curious besides American V-8s are there any non interference engines?

[zroger73]

Originally Posted by Jenskp

Just curious besides American V-8s are there any non interference engines?

The Ford 2.3L OHC Ford 4-cyl used from the Pinto to the current generation Ranger and the 1.9L Escort engine are two examples. There are others.

[cal]

Originally Posted by Jenskp

Just curious besides American V-8s are there any non interference engines?

I believe almost all Toyota/lexus products are non interference engines. I now my wifes rx300 was non interference.

[xridgelinex]

Originally Posted by zroger73

Thanks for the confirmation! Normally, I wouldn't care about such a thing since I've historically only kept a vehicle 1 or 2 years (and not more than 36,000 miles), but I've been so dang happy with this Ridgeline during the first few weeks that I can see it hanging around for a while. The only other vehicle that pleased me well enough to keep it for 7 years/101,000 miles was my once-new '99 Regal LS that I traded in on the Ridgeline's predecessor - an '06 Accord EX-L (which I probably would have kept around for a while if it had a trunk large enough to carry drywall).

This should be under the power train warranty... You're covered for 5 yrs 60K miles... Now you can relax a little longer...

[Greyhounds]

Originally Posted by zroger73

Just wondering if the timing belt breaks if there is a risk of bent valves, etc. I suspect it is an interference design.

This is one drawback from by older explorer---it had a timing chain---never worried about changing it.

I keep cars for 10-15 years---previously I had a maxima for 175K miles---only changed the timing belt once @125K (scheduled @ 90K---but I didn't have the money). Dad's old BMW (1985-288K) just broke their TC and the valves went bye-bye.

[Cochise111]

Originally Posted by Jenskp

Just curious besides American V-8s are there any non interference engines?

The older Honda 4 cyl. engines were non-interference.

[weatherman]

Originally Posted by xridgelinex

This should be under the power train warranty... You're covered for 5 yrs 60K miles... Now you can relax a little longer...

Is 60K the recommended change interval for the timing belt? That was the recommended interval on a couple of Civics we used to have, but I would have thought it would be longer on the RL, especially with a tune-up interval of 105K.