Is the B200E an interference engine?

http://pic7.picturetrail.com/VOL188/...8/23744414.jpg


I posted a question on this forum a while ago asking if the B200E in my 740 was an "interference" type engine, ie. in the event of a timing belt break do the valves hit the pistons.
Informed opinion at the time was that all the B2** serias engines were non-interference.

Having just bought an `88 GL for spares with this engine I set about proving this one way or the other.

What I did was to remove the timing belt, valve cover and spark plugs.
With the crank at a few degrees before TDC the cam was turned to put the inlet valve on No 1 cylinder to full lift.
Then the crank was turned GENTLY BY HAND towards TDC, but before it got there the piston made very solid contact with the valve.
This was repeated for the exhaust valve with the same result.

Conclusion:- The B200E (and almost certainly the B230E) IS an interference engine and WILL suffer damage if the valve timing is lost.

Pehaps it would be useful for someone to try this next time they have a B230F or similar with the belt off, and post the result.

Is your belt overdue a change?????

I will post this on the 300 and 200 series forums also.

Colin.

Colin,
(posted this in another place day or two ago)
Just had a timing belt snap whilst on the M25 doing about 50
(just leaving the bridge toll gates) in a 740GLE - B230E engine.
(not the most enjoyable experience)
Now, every where I read and checked says the B230E is an interference engine so I was pretty gloomy.
Volvo guide says (valve etc) damage likely.
However I had NO damage to any valves.
New belt, tensioner AND water pump (genuine Volvo parts), timing and general
check out/tweak and all just fine..compression tests indicate head gasket sound.
Total about £250 inc.

Spoke with 3 Volvo garages - the mechanics I spoke with said about 9 times out of ten
the valves won't be hit in a B230E..
(They all said to fit new water pump same time as new belt though)

Don't have the answer as to why valves not bent every time - one US forum discussed this being down to manufacture clearances - another to whether its a 'clean' snap (mine was) or not -ie teeth sheared off.
Or is it just luck that engine not at TDC when break happens ??
Does anyone know the real reason/s ??
V6 Man -responded that it may be down to whether cam is an 'H' (interference and bad news) or a 'K' (not interference)

Hope this helps - or has it just muddied the water ??

[ivor940]

Hi, How do you know if the cam is "H" or "K"? Is it marked on the cam?

ivor940

[Engineer]

Bit late but B200 engines will do the valves 99% of the time, but never had a standard B230 hit other than those fitted with bowl type pistons and flat heads. Hope this helps.

[old740]

That's funny, because I'm absolutely certain that my B200E is NON interference, having had the head off etc