Forgivable Engine?

**tmljeh19** · 08-27-2008 07:58 PM

So on my way home last night my timing belt went

I took it to a shop by my house and I was told that he has to check the VIN # of my car to see if it has what he called a "forgivable engine" and if it is indeed that then my engine is shot. I never heard of anything like that before. Is that true?

Btw I have a 96 A4 quattro 2.8L 12v

**mike-2ptzero** · 08-27-2008 08:15 PM

Never heard of that before. When did shop guys start using Vin numbers to figure out if a motor is good or not.

**tmljeh19** · 08-27-2008 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by mike-2ptzero

Never heard of that before. When did shop guys start using Vin numbers to figure out if a motor is good or not.

He said he needed to check somewhere (no idea where) to see if it had a forgivable engine? and if it is then its shot. i dont get why you cant just put another timing belt on??

**mike-2ptzero** · 08-27-2008 08:35 PM

I think he meant interference engine, since you seem to be talking about a Timing belt breaking.

**Poopie** · 08-27-2008 08:36 PM

they are called interference motors. I believe the 12v motors are interference motors meaning that valves will tap the pistons if the timing belt breaks. Getting lucky with no bent valves is very rare.

**tmljeh19** · 08-27-2008 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Poopie

they are called interference motors. I believe the 12v motors are interference motors meaning that valves will tap the pistons if the timing belt breaks. Getting lucky with no bent valves is very rare.

so does that mean its shot?

**Poopie** · 08-27-2008 08:45 PM

its safe to assume so. you never know till you pull the heads off. lucky for you cause you only have 12 valves anyways =p

**Stampy** · 08-27-2008 08:47 PM

Bad motor! Go to your room

**tmljeh19** · 08-27-2008 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Poopie

its safe to assume so. you never know till you pull the heads off. lucky for you cause you only have 12 valves anyways =p

the car made a jolt and it started to slow down and i pulled to the side of the road and it stalled and it wouldnt start so i had it towed. when would it have had a chance for the valves to tap the pistons because once it jolted i pulled over and it stalled

**Poopie** · 08-27-2008 08:54 PM

the motor still continues to spin from the momentum. you have a 12 almost 13 year old car. it might be time to consider something newer.

**Nebone** · 08-27-2008 09:43 PM

My buddy has a 96 12V with 200k+ miles with who knows how many check lights, engine ticking and burning oil and he drives it to work daily. He has a new Civic Si and a R1 for the weekend tho.

Motor sounds like its toast. Bad motor.