If timing belt breaks on 1997 Volvo 960 will it damage the engine?

Yes, if the timing belt breaks on a 1997 Volvo 960, it will likely cause significant damage to the engine. The timing belt is a critical component that synchronizes the movement of the engine's pistons and valves. If the belt breaks, the valves can hit the pistons, causing extensive damage to the cylinder heads, pistons, and valves themselves. This damage can be expensive to repair and can even require a complete engine rebuild or replacement. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the timing belt is regularly inspected and replaced according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule to prevent such catastrophic failures.