'92 SL2 Timing Belt

If the belt breaks on these cars, are they toast?

 

They don't have a timing belt. They have a chain.

 

All of the S-series Saturn engines have timing chains which are supposed to
last the life of the engine. If the chain does happen to skip teeth or somehow
break, you're gonna bend your valves and hurt the pistons.

So in short, its an interference engine, and if something should happen to the
chain; yes, its toast.

 

It might be that what you think is the timing belt is actually the
serpentine belt that drives the water pump, power steering, AC, and
alternator. If it breaks the engine won't necessarily be toast,
unless you try to keep driving it with the water pump not being spun.

 

....But generally speaking, if the timing chain (or belt if so equipped)
breaks or even skips a few teeth, you've got yerself a situation there. Few
engines these days are the non-interference types.

 

Sorry, I meant to speak chain; my fingers wrote belt. Thanks to all, I
expected as much, saw one for sale and the guy said that all it needed was a
new chain... didn't think that would solve it... thanks again

Matt