Will a broken timing chain destroy my engine
A timing chain normally keeps the camshaft and crankshaft synchronized so the valves open and close at the correct moments. When that chain breaks suddenly, the engine can lose that coordination immediately, and in an interference design the pistons and valves may collide. The resulting damage can range from bent valves to severe cylinder or piston destruction, making the question of whether the engine will still turn over or lock up a critical diagnostic clue.
Essential answer
A broken timing chain can destroy an engine, but the extent depends heavily on the engine configuration. In an interference engine, the valves extend far enough into the combustion chamber that a piston striking an open valve can bend the stem or fracture the valve head. That debris may then score the cylinder wall, damage the piston crown, or get driven into the cylinder head. A failed chain can therefore produce expensive internal harm rather than a simple repair.
A non-interference engine has more clearance between the open valves and the piston at top dead center. With that layout, a snapped chain may stop the engine without automatic valve-to-piston contact, though the sudden loss of valve timing can still leave rotating parts vulnerable to secondary damage. Service history and symptom conditions help determine the likely outcome, but the engine must be inspected before assuming it is ruined or repairable.