Puretech 110 engine. Good or bad?

[Pablo]

I've been searching the forum and can't find anything much on the Puretech 110 engines, the 1.2 turbo.

I have recently bought a C3 Picasso with this engine and all I have seen elsewhere, are references to oil pressure problems caused by shrapnel from the cambelts blocking the oil strainers.

So the question is are these engines good for a decent mileage?

Also mine has a very slight coolant leak under the expansion bottle. It settles on the chassis leg behind the engine mount. I've so far been unable to find it so is there anything in particular I should be looking at? The car has done 53000 miles and has been dealer serviced from new.

[GiveMeABreak]

These EB2 engines have a belt in oil system. Early timing belts were an issue. The timing service is a lot less for the initial change and it's why they specify a belt change at 62k miles or 6 years, at which point they replace the belts with the newer designs and then the next change is every 120k miles or 12 years as is more normal. It saves them doing very expensive recalls - so they brought forward the timing belt service by half!

So your belt will be coming up for replacement very shortly based on the 53K miles you've stated, or sooner if you have had it 6 years! So don't wait, or the knock on damage can be prohibitively expensive to fix. Some engines have even needed to be replaced because of oil starvation as a result.

Oh and one more thing - it is CRUCIAL to use the correct recommended oil for these for this very reason.

Not for the feint hearted...

[Pablo]

Ouch! Belt change sounds expensive.

Good job you mentioned the service interval for the 1st change, I thought it was 10 years.

I notice in the history file there is a couple of invoices at about 43-46000 miles relating to low oil pressure incl oil pressure switch, cam sensor, oil regulation valve, flush engine (x3). I see also that the oil used was 5w/30, shouldn't it be 0w/30?

[GiveMeABreak]

First rule - assume nothing!

I can advise of correct oil, if you post your VIN up (automasked on post submission) so I can see the exact engine you have. The oil type depends on engine variant and country of use.

[Oldpug]

https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/t ... em.333046/
This thread about this engine has been going for years, its not good reading. When I first heard about a cam belt running in engine oil, I thought someone was pulling my leg.

[Pablo]

First rule - assume nothing!

I can advise of correct oil, if you post your VIN up (automasked on post submission) so I can see the exact engine you have. The oil type depends on engine variant and country of use.

Thanks
VIN VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/t ... em.333046/
This thread about this engine has been going for years, its not good reading. When I first heard about a cam belt running in engine oil, I thought someone was pulling my leg.

Problem is all makes seem to have their expensive follies these days. Take Ford Ecoboost-no thanks, Skoda and VW. My days of driving cars with 2 litre engines have passed I'm afraid. And diesels are a complete no-no for me.

I must admit I was so keen to get the garage offer for my 18 plate C3 (£800 more than the main dealer) that I did not do enough research on the one I bought off him. My usage though is mainly local low mileage so I'm hoping it will last.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ouch! Belt change sounds expensive.

Good job you mentioned the service interval for the 1st change, I thought it was 10 years.

I notice in the history file there is a couple of invoices at about 43-46000 miles relating to low oil pressure incl oil pressure switch, cam sensor, oil regulation valve, flush engine (x3). I see also that the oil used was 5w/30, shouldn't it be 0w/30?

Ok, so the wrong oil was used for a start.

The correct oil is 0W30 oil for Great Britain with the EB2DT (HNZ) engine that you have. It should meet the B71 2312 standards set by PSA, The manufacturer recommended oil is TOTAL QUARTZ INEO FIRST 0W30.

As far as the timing goes on this engine in this vehicle, it is in fact every 10 years or Every 112000 Miles.

There are a wide range of these engines, so that's why I wanted your VIN to check the exact engine fitted - so no panic yet But I would change the oil to the recommended when you next have it serviced.

[Paul-R]

So that engine isn't included with the ones that were issued with a revised (lower) mileage and time schedule?

[GiveMeABreak]

It appears not Paul, from Citroen Servicing for this vehicle VIN.

There are currently 18 variants at least of the EB engines.

[Pablo]

Marc
Many thanks.

The oil was changed at service, Sept 19 and 5w/30 used. The repairs mentioned above were mostly carried out 2 months later by the same garage and 0w/30 used this time. It has since had 2 further services but oil not specified.

One further point if I may - is it possible to see what condition the cambelt is in without dismantling much? I've read somewhere that the original suspect belts were identified by white writing on them whereas replacements are yellow.

Thanks very much for the info so far, much appreciated.

Paul

[GiveMeABreak]

I don't have this engine, so couldn't advise on that Paul, sorry.

[Paul-R]

There is a special tool that dealers use to measure the width of suspect belts when determining if it should be changed under warranty. If the belt has swelled beyond a certain limit then it gets changed. If it hasn't then, no matter how frayed it might be, it doesn't.

It's mentioned in the Peugeot forums link posted above. There's a drawing of the tool and there might even be dimensions noted.

[Pablo]

I don't have this engine, so couldn't advise on that Paul, sorry.

In actual fact I had a look and the belt is visible through the oil filler hole. Mine seems to be reasonably intact, almost new like from the top, no fraying on the edges.

I entered the reg on a dealer website to find the price for a service and there is a list of fixed price repairs. The cambelt change is £499 using OE parts or £399 using Citroen approved. It does not say if that is the cambelt kit or just the belt. If it's the kit I don't think £399 is too bad for dealer prices.

There is a special tool that dealers use to measure the width of suspect belts when determining if it should be changed under warranty. If the belt has swelled beyond a certain limit then it gets changed. If it hasn't then, no matter how frayed it might be, it doesn't.

It's mentioned in the Peugeot forums link posted above. There's a drawing of the tool and there might even be dimensions noted.

Thanks Paul. I waded through all 21 pages of that thread As you say the dimensions are mentioned and the belt should be no wider than 16.5mm. The Dayco website does not list it but Gates do with the dimensions. A new belt is 16mm wide. So only .5mm expansion allowed before it risks catching on the side of the crank pulley and fraying. The gauge is available for about 16 quid.

Thanks both for your help.

[GiveMeABreak]

That will be just for the belt Paul. You can opt for the additional parts which shouldn't be too much more on the labour front as they are there already - you just need to let them know.

[Pablo]

Actually Marc I just found a bit more detail. Using my Reg no for a quote....

Get your Citroen fitted with a new Timing belt kit for a fixed price of £399*. Our transparent Citroen parts pricing structure is another thing that Charters cheerfully do!

Repairing and maintaining your Citroen needn’t be a huge expense. Being an official dealer we can supply any Citroen old or new with Citroen approved parts and you can be sure that our professionally trained technicians are ready for the job in hand.

Our Fixed price servicing range is priced to offer savings to our customers and the price quoted, includes:

Parts
Labour
VAT

I can't see many independents doing it for less.