I've got a 96 Outback Legacy 2.5L with 193K miles, and everything I've read seems to indicate that this is an interference type engine. (I'm not sure if I have that correct or not...)
A week ago, I was crusing at about 75 mph when "thump", the timing belt broke. The water pump had failed, which caused the timing belt to snap. The timing belt cover got all cracked up, etc., and things felt bad, as I was SURE there'd be all kinds of damage to the valves. BUT, when my mechanic got down to it, it seemed that I only needed a new water pump and a new timing belt. I have the car back now, and it's running like a dream...
My question: did I get lucky here, and why weren't the valves damaged?
Thanks....