# Non-interference engine

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 20, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018 "2008-03-20T23:23:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![paaal8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@paaal8](https://community.cartalk.com/u/paaal8)\
**Post date:** [March 20, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018/1 "2008-03-20T23:23:14Z")

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Does anybody know if the Ford Focus 02 SE has a non-interference or an interference engine? I am asking because I am overdue for the timing belt change.

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**Author:** ![cappy208](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cappy208/32/31_2.png) [@cappy208](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cappy208)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018/2 "2008-03-21T00:31:35Z")

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[http://www.gates.com/part\_locator/index.cfm?location\_id=3002](http://www.gates.com/part_locator/index.cfm?location_id=3002)

go here, look down the page for timing belts. read the note in red to the right.

there is mention of two engines, a single overhead cam, and a double overhead cam. find out which engine you have.

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**Author:** ![paaal8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@paaal8](https://community.cartalk.com/u/paaal8)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018/3 "2008-03-21T06:14:16Z")

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OP: i have the dual cam

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**Author:** ![paaal8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@paaal8](https://community.cartalk.com/u/paaal8)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 6:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018/4 "2008-03-21T06:16:02Z")

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OP: So I have the DOHC which is a non-interference engine. It is the SOHC that is the interference type. Am I reading it wrong?

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 8:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018/5 "2008-03-21T08:53:58Z")

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Yes, the SOHC engine has the interference engine. If the timing belt should slip on the SOHC engine, there would be such disharmony between the pist-ons and the val-ves !

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**Author:** ![cappy208](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cappy208/32/31_2.png) [@cappy208](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cappy208)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2008, 9:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/non-interference-engine/12018/6 "2008-03-21T09:48:07Z")

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as long as you are reading your car information correctly, a dohc is NON interference. a sohc IS interference