Because you are from New York (private joke) I'll cut you some slack.

An interference motor is a motor in which the vales can impact on the piston if the crank and cam are not in time. This means that when the belt or chain between the crankshaft and camshaft breaks the valves that are still in the open position will be impacted by the piston.

The motor won't fire because the camshaft is no longer moving. The camshaft moves the valves for intake and exhaust open and closed because via that belt/chain it is in time with the crankshaft that has the piston rods and pistons attached to it. When the belt breaks, you are no longer getting fuel or exhaust and some valves are left open.

When that belt broke, if you have an interference motor... pistons hit the valves that were still open. There is no way around it. The motor doesn't immediately stop...things like the crank and pistons keep moving for a bit.

A non interference motor is one in which the valves are spaced far enough up in the cylinder that the piston can not reach them whether the timing is off or not.

Yeah, I just don't know the answer.

I never really troubled myself to learn anything about the neon. I don't do anything more on it then change the plugs and oil. If you've ever looked in the engine bay of one of these things you'd understand why. It isn't anything nearly as comfortable as the bonneville.

I guess when we get the "call" later today, I'll let you knows what happened.

Seems to me the better answer here would have been "I don't know".

Honestly Morty..I'd rather you admitted not knowing things than posting something that might mislead another member later on. If any of the other Neon owners rely on what you said above and find out differently the expensive way.....let'* say... I doubt they'd be happy or respect you.

I'm not sure and I don't know go a long way in life. Please be willing to admit lack of knowledge, as we have seen....this is not the first time.

When you asked me yesterday, I looked up on the net whether or not a 1996 dodge neon had an interference motor. The answer was yes. Do I understand what it is? No.

So the mechanic said the valves were ok? If so maybe he needs a lesson in interference engines too.

Good article for Neon owners. Information about everything.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/us60426.htm

All I know is that if it'* DOHC 16v like my scirocco was it'* not a good thing to blow a timing belt.....did on mine and got lucky.....only had minor leakage from #3 and #4 cylinders....didn't even really notice the difference when I got it fixed!! On the other hand if in fact " 'Ol one eye" has a DOHC engine......it may not have been so lucky....sounds like u may need a second opinion from another mechanic!!