"Tom: The technical term is "interference engine," because the valves open so far into the cylinders (they "interfere" in the piston space) that if the valve timing isn't perfect, the valves can be struck by a piston.

Ray: The "interference" design actually increases the engine's efficiency, because the wider the valves open, the more "stuff" you can get in and out of the cylinders. But when the timing belt breaks on an interference engine, the pistons and valves can collide, and then it's "bye-bye valves."

Tom: By the way, most Hondas and Nissans use interference engines. Some other cars do, too, so check with your dealer about your specific year and model.
"
http://cartalk.cars.com/Columns/Archive/2000/May/09.html

"La conception de moteurs plus compacts et plus performants amène à rapprocher les soupapes le plus près possible du piston. Dans ce type de moteur, il y a interférence entre les soupapes et les pistons si ceux-ci sont désynchronisés. Le contact des soupapes contre les pistons va certainement se produire quand la courroie se casse.
"
http://www.auto123.com/fr/info/columns/advice/view.spy?artid...

" De plus c'est un moteur qui n'est pas "à interférence"... C'est a dire, si la
courroie de distribution lâche, les soupapes ne risquent pas de rentrer "
http://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=fr&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=mo...