1.6Hdi Timing Chain

[MichaelDavis]

I'm going to have my cambelt changed and water pump. Will I need to change the timing chain which this engine has at the same time? One garage told me they only ever do the belt so I'm unsure what to do. Appreciate your advice in advance

[MichaelDavis]

Any advice?

[Rookie2]

As far as I am aware, the chains on these engines are "Lifetime" chains.

Now the question is, what is a "Lifetime" ?

 

As you know there are hard lifetimes which can be over in 30,000 miles and there are easy lifetimes which can still be going on after 1/2 million miles.

 

Have a read of this thread and it will give you some ideas of the pitfalls with timing chains   https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40166

 

Personally, if i had timed one of these engines up with a new belt and the chain was showing no signs of being a problem, I would leave it alone.

 

cheers

[MikeLane]

Timing chains might stretch but are unlikely to break. If you need to change it it's best to change the tensioner as well.

A kit costs about £100 (from mister-auto.co.uk).

[MichaelDavis]

Thank you for the info, will have my mechanic check it out.

[paul.h]

If you look in the Haynes manual for the 1.6 hdi, the chain joins the 2 camshafts since the belt only drives one of the camshafts. To check the chain needs the cam cover removing and to replace it needs the camshafts removing - if you have gone to the bother of removing the camshafts you may as well replace the chain and its tensioner since you will have paid quite a bit of labour. You will also need to check the gears on the shafts and the bearings - if these are worn you will be in to a lot of expense and possibly a low mileage used cylinder head may be an option.

 

If you are going to have the chain checked, do it before starting to replace the belt since to replace it needs the belt removing but if you do not have the parts or quick access to them and they need replacing the belt has to come off again, unless the car can be off the road for a bit.

[MichaelDavis]

Paul I was just wondering whether or not to change the chain since the cambelt is getting done. There is no unusual noises coming from the chain and the engine is actually quite quiet for one of these 1.6 engines. My reason for thinking of changing was because I had read on the internet that some chains had stretched or snapped with catastrophic results. I think I will check with Citroen to see whether the chain is recommended to be changed or not. I don't want to spend more than necessary to keep this car going as it has been eating a big hole in my pocket what with turbo charger, heater flaps,brake calliper,battery and starter motor, egr valve and tyres all in past 6 months!!

[paul.h]

Having just searched on 1.6 hdi timing chain failure, I understand you thinking about replacing the chain since they do appear to wear. As an example https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40166 (already posted by Rookie2 above)

 

In the Citroen service box procedures it lists invoicing times and to replace the chain and its tensioner it gives 8½ hours, just the chain tensioner 0.8 hours whereas to replace the timing belt and water pump 4.3 hours. So if you want the belt/tensioner, water pump, chain and its tensioner it is possibly about 9½ hours - so about an extra 5 hours compared to just the belt/pump/its tensioner. I do not know what labour rate your mechanic charges but if you include the £100 for parts mentioned by MikeLane, then it could be around £400 to £500 extra on top of the timing belt replacement. However, and I do not know if this is possible, if you could source a split link chain and if there is enough space to fit it to the cam shafts without moving them, then it would possibly not be much more than replacing the tensioner.

 

The chain and tensioner might be part no. 0816J1 (or the chain on its own 0816F6 to rpo 10534) but you should check this using your car vin. A look on ebay gives prices from about £60 to £140.