If my timing belt on my 2000 protege 1.6l breaks will it do and other damage other than the blet busting I've herd that the mazda engines are built so that when the belt breaks the pistons and valves have enough clearance that they wont hit Is this correct?

 

That is correct Blackout. Your 2000 Protege engine is safe if the belts breaks. Just a tow bill. Virtually all Mazda engines that use a timing belt are called "clearance" engines so that the pistons will not hit the valves. Chain driven engines are usually always "non-clearance"

 

Hello Babyhuey: Does your statement apply to a 1996 Miller Cycle engine also??? I assume that it does..

Thank`s in advance
Stu

 

Yeah since you have a 'non-interference' engine, the valves and pistons do not occupy the same place so there will be no damage. So timing belt breakage is the least of your concerns.