It depends if it is an interference engine or not. If it is an interference engine there will be engine damage. Most likely bent valves or a busted piston. If it is a non-interference engine then nothing will happen except the engine will not run.
The engine will turn on the starter, or with a wrench on the end of the crankshaft. However it will not run. If the Timing belt breaks, when the engine is running, this can cause extensive damage to the engine.
When a timing belt breaks on any internal combustion engine, the cam can no longer turn. The valves can no longer operate. And the engine stops. You are stuck. You will wait for the tow truck.
I have never heard of a cam belt. I have a 2000 Kia Sportage and the timing belt went out while I was driving. The engine stopped running,and I tried to start it back and it would not start. The engine would turn over and over but would not start. Found out after a four hundred dollar fuel pump it was a broke timing belt. these engines are contact / so when a timing belt breakes you ben the valves resulting in no compresion so the engine will not start until you replace all the valves and belt with setting up the timing
If it is a CRX then I believe it is an interference engine and yes you could have possibly damaged your valves pistons or both with the timing belt failure. The only way to know for sure is to do a compression test on the vehicle assuming it will still turn over after you fix the timing belt
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN THE ENGINE OVER IF YOU SUSPECT A BROKEN TIMING BELT !!!!!! If you have, you already have more problems than a broken timing belt. Remove the upper timing belt cover and physically look at the timing belt.
A timing belt is driven by the crank shaft and allows the camshaft to turn,which opens and closes intake and exhaust valves in their proper timing sequence.
A car's timing belt can start to melt and snap if it is fitted too tight. Most timing belts should have a half turn of play on them.
Timing chains and timing belts are used to turn the cam shaft. The term timing chain or belt is a misnomer. They are really just a cam chain or cam belt.
there is no timing belt, or a belt to turn your camshaft if that is what you are wondering, it is all done by a timing chain and there is no service that they need.
broken timing belt or chain....
every 60k is recommended. if your car hasn't had the belt ever changed, i would make it a priority,this is why. your motor is an interferance engine. that means if your timing belt breaks, the camshaft & crankshaft will turn at different rates.the valves when not in time will strike the top of the piston. metal smashing metal not gud. factor belt replacement verses engine. not trying to scare you, but if your on original timing belt, you have used 8 out of 9 lives
The actual name for this belt is the Cam Belt. Its purpose is to turn the cam in the engine which opens and closes the valves at the correct time. Therefore the term timing belt is sometimes used.