Hey Guys,
I am about to pick up a 98 kick.  The timing chain is busted on it.  Are these an interferiance motor.  Meaning am I guanrenteed bent valves? would it be worth me fixing this motor or just swapping?  Any help would be great.

Most of the models are not interferiance, I have not owned a 98' so I won't promise.  I'm sure someone will chime in with a solid answer.  As for the "chain" they acutally run a belt and it is cakewalk to fix.  If you have everything it is literally 4-5 hours if you take your time, 3 in a hurry. 

Hope it works out for you.

I have never herd of a interferiance motor But normaly when a timing chain/belt brakes and the top of the engine quits running while the bottom half is still running.You got bent valves regardless.
At least that has been my experience. I would pull the head and take it to a machine shop for a rebuild.

I have never herd of a interferiance motor

An interference motor is when there is physically not enough room for the valve to be open and the piston to be at the top of the path at the same time.  This almost guarantees that you will have Bad Thingstm happen to your engine when the timing belt/chain breaks.

The Trackers have a non-interference engine so you have a good chance of the engine simply requiring you to get your timing lined back up and a new belt before running again.

Quote from: 96Kicker on December 12, 2008, 09:08:10 AM

I have never herd of a interferiance motor

An interference motor is when there is physically not enough room for the valve to be open and the piston to be at the top of the path at the same time.  This almost guarantees that you will have Bad Thingstm happen to your engine when the timing belt/chain breaks.

The Trackers have a non-interference engine so you have a good chance of the engine simply requiring you to get your timing lined back up and a new belt before running again.

OOOOOOOOOO sweet jesus this would be great if there are no bent valves.  Thanks for the info!!!

The question you have to ask is " what caused the chain to break?"

It is a Sidekick 1600cc right? Not a Sidekick Sport 1800CC. One has a chain, the other has a belt ! Very diff. program.

The question you have to ask is " what caused the chain to break?"

160,000 miles would be my quess.  I am going to try the chain and see what happens.  Basicaly in a nut shell.  The car was owned by a little old lady.  It broke down and got towed to a repair shop.  The guy in the shop pulled the cover and saw the chain broke.  He assumed the motor was shot and told the lady it was shot.  I just happen to come by and said hey what is the deal with the Kick he said for sale and I offered him 300.00 He said cool and I am picking it up on Wed.  I figure I can put a hundred into it to see if it will work.  I will either be a hero or a zero, and start from scratch.  I really hope it works cause the kick is super clean and rust free.  Just needs a driver mirror and a front bumper cover.  

It is a Sidekick 1600cc right? Not a Sidekick Sport 1800CC. One has a chain, the other has a belt ! Very diff. program.

Chain not belt

Quote from: ToyYoda on December 12, 2008, 08:01:13 PM

It is a Sidekick 1600cc right? Not a Sidekick Sport 1800CC. One has a chain, the other has a belt ! Very diff. program.

Chain not belt

Then it is a Sport model. The visual difference is the Sport models have body cladding all around and the regular models don't. Plus the grill is noticably different.
Even if it does have bent valves & dented pistons, it's worth fixing.

Especially at 300 if the rest of the drive train and body is in good condition.. 

If it is the 1.8 liter Sidekick sport motor, it does have a chain, and I think it is interference. I think the only ones that are not interference are the 1.3 and 1.6 8 valve motors. The 1.6 16 valve is an interference motor, as well as the 1.8, which also has 16 valves.

If it is the 1.8 liter Sidekick sport motor, it does have a chain, and I think it is interference. I think the only ones that are not interference are the 1.3 and 1.6 8 valve motors. The 1.6 16 valve is an interference motor, as well as the 1.8, which also has 16 valves.

what the funk!!!!!!   I think I am going to call the dealership and talk to a tech.  I really need to know.  I have to order a Chain set or just look for a motor!!!

The 1.8 is a interference engine. Depending on how fast she was going when the chain broke  it could mean the amount of damage. IT could just mean replacing a head which is going to run around 1k or more. If it was about 25 mph it could mean piston slap and your looking at a whole new long block. I would pull the head and check out the damage first. Also you need to look at the timing pulleys and tensioner. They could of caused the chain to go bad.

The 1.8 is a interference engine. Depending on how fast she was going when the chain broke  it could mean the amount of damage. IT could just mean replacing a head which is going to run around 1k or more. If it was about 25 mph it could mean piston slap and your looking at a whole new long block. I would pull the head and check out the damage first. Also you need to look at the timing pulleys and tensioner. They could of caused the chain to go bad.

  NOT COOL