I broke my timing belt last week. I have a '98 Escort w/a 2.0L 4 cyl. Engine. The shop where it got towed to says that it's an interference engine. First off, I called my nephew in NH who has been a mechanic for the past 18 years & he said it's not an interference model. I then checked out The world's most trusted name in belts, hoses & hydraulics | Gates Corporation for info, but the PDF file of their catalog said it wasn't an interference model, but on the ordering page, it said it was. I'm so confused. Either I'll spend $370 for the job or $900+ for it. At least the mechanic here will do a compression test to see if there's any problem w/engine damage, so I think he's trying to be honest. Somebody please help me get to the bottom of this??

I worked on a 99 escort and they said it wasn't a interference engine also, I put a head on it. The woman needed a belt and wouldn't replace it, called me 2 weeks later and she said that the engine was gone. That her pistons were busted. So I don't know.

Unfortunately this IS an interference engine. My engine's got 2 dead cylenders so off to the junkman it goes, possibly by the end of the week.

Hey sorry about that. But I was a little close with helping you. People told me it wasn't before too. But we found out it was later. Good luck