just bought a 98 wagon with the original timing belt. i am going to change it very soon. my question is if this belt goes before i change it will it cause any damage to the valves?

hehe, ur gonna get mixed answers...I think not, but I've heard otherwise....crap, i dunno...sorry man

If it is like the one i bought the valve went first. mine is a 96 though. but i have to agree with the above some says it does and some say it doesnt. From my understading it should because it is and inerferance engine.

some of the 1.9's were, and some weren't, depending when they were made. I forget which was which though. As far as the 2.0's go, I've heard of people breaking their timing belt and not getting valve damage, but I've also read that it IS an interference engine and they were just EXTREMELY lucky, so I dunno. Good luck though man.