'88 Volvo 240 DL Wagon, 5-spd, b230f, Engine wont crank after Timing Belt snaps
 

Hi, All.
I love my volvo and have had nothing bad to say about it 'til now.
Over the weekend my timing belt snapped while on the road where I was cruising between 45 & 50 mph.
Pep Boys says its an interference-engine ("non-clearance") while the Volvo dealership 5-doors down from Pep Boys says it *is* a clearance engine but that the internal parts could still lock-up on a timing belt failure.
Also, immediately following the timing-belt failure I tried to crank the engine but got nothing.

Questions:
1. Is the b230f engine in a 1988 volvo 240 wagon truly 'clearance'?
2. Does timing belt failure explain why the engine wouldn't crank immediately following or would that tend to indicate something electrical?
3. Guys at the NJ-based Volvo dealership service dept said the clearance in my 240 could still experience internal damage depending on how fast/how many RPMs the engine was going. Is he being honest?

Thanks for any input...I've a week to decide to do with the car.
RW

The b230 is non interference motor, aka "clearance", and it is not supposed to suffer damage in case of a belt breakage. Still, there are scenarios, rarely, when it does.
It could be something electrical causing the engine not to crank, or? You have to eliminate the electrical possibilities, then worry about the off chance of something else. Apply power to the starter directly, see what happens.

if the engine has had a head gasket replacement, and they shaved off more than the minimum and used a thinner-than-normal head gasket, its possible to turn a non-interference engine into an interference engine. ditto, installing a high lift camshaft.

cruising 40-50, unless you were pedal to the metal in 2nd gear, odds are your RPMs were pretty low, so the chances of valve float causing interference are slim to none.

Its conceivable that something mechanical BROKE in the engine, causing the crankshaft to seize, and THIS caused the timing belt to break. In that scenario, yeah, it wouldn't crank over no matter what.

Oh yea, I spun a bearing on a non-Volvo engine and it would not turn. I hope this is not what is happening to you. Oh, wait, the belt broke. Then the friction that may cause the belt to be over stressed would be up top. Possible I suppose.

Can you turn the crank either forward or backwards?

I would stay away from Pep Boys mechanics.

Does the starter try to turn the engine and it cannot turn it because it is too difficult or is it not even trying?

thanks guys
 

With appreciation I thank you all who posted here ...I'll be trudging back to the Pep Boys lot (where it sits) and see if they'll help in a process of elimination. I love this car and will be saddened if I have to let her go.

You don't have to let her go! Even a new head is not a big deal.... Try turning the motor by hand yet?