Alexandre
In the Stellantis engine familyThe 1.2 PureTech, a three-cylinder turbo, has been the talk of the town in recent years (and even today). It's a subject that's been widely reported on the internet and social networks. Since 2023, with the introduction of the third generation of this engine, a major change has been made: chain timing replaces the traditional belt. This technical evolution aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of the PureTech engine.
Oil-bath belt problems
Early versions of Stellantis' 1.2 PureTech engine (gen 1 and gen 2) used a timing belt immersed in engine oil. While this configuration may have seemed innovative at the time, it soon revealed major shortcomings. The belt tended to deteriorate faster than expected, releasing particles that could clog the engine's lubrication circuit. These obstructions could lead to power losses, malfunctions and, in the most serious cases, costly breakdowns.
Faced with these problems, Stellantis had to intervene, with recall campaigns affecting almost 500,000 vehicles, mainly Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Jeep models. These actions included free belt replacements and engine management software updates.
The evolution: chain distribution
To compensate for these shortcomings, Stellantis has introduced a 3rd generation 1.2 PureTech engine with numerous upgrades, including chain-driven timing, a much more robust and reliable technology. This change solved the durability and efficiency problems encountered with the belt. The chain is better suited to modern driving conditions, especially on short urban journeys, where the engines are particularly hard-pressed.
This technical evolution is designed to reduce workshop intervention, increase motor life and simplify maintenance. What's more, chain-driven motors don't need to be replaced as often as belt-driven ones, offering greater long-term reliability.
Models affected by this change
Many Stellantis Group models already feature this new version of the chain-driven 1.2 PureTech engine, which is available on hybrid and non-hybrid versions, with both manual and eDCT automatic transmissions.
Here is a list of the models affected by this change, divided into those still using the belt and those switched to the chain:
Belt-driven models (Motor code) :
- Peugeot 208
- 1.2 PureTech 75 MT : EB2FA
- 1.2 PureTech 100 MT : EB2ADTD
- Peugeot 308
- 1.2 PureTech 130 MT/EAT8 : EB2DTS
- Peugeot 408
- 1.2 PureTech 130 EAT8 : EB2DTS
- Peugeot 2008
- 1.2 PureTech 100/130 MT/EAT8 : EB2DTS
- Opel Corsa
- 1.2 PureTech 100 MT : EB2ADTD
- Opel Astra
- 1.2 PureTech 100 MT : EB2DT
- 1.2 PureTech 130 MT/EAT8 : EB2DTS
- Opel Mokka
- 1.2 PureTech 130 MT/EAT8 : EB2DTS
- Jeep Avenger
- 1.2 PureTech 100 MT : EB2ADTD
Models with chain (Motor code) :
- Peugeot 208
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTED
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Peugeot 308
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Peugeot 408
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Peugeot 2008
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Peugeot 3008
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Peugeot 5008
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Citroën C3
- 1.2 PureTech 100 MT : EB2LTED
- Citroën C3 Aircross
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- DS DS3
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- 1.2L Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- Alfa Romeo Junior
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Fiat 600
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- Lancia Ypsilon
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- Opel Corsa
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- Opel Astra
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Opel Mokka
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- Jeep Avenger
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 4xe : EB2LTEDH2
- Opel Frontera
- 1.2 Hybrid 100 : EB2LTEDH2
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
- Opel Grandland
- 1.2 Hybrid 136 : EB2LTEDH2
By adopting the distribution chain, Stellantis improves engine reliability while reducing repair and maintenance costs for owners. It should be noted that, in Europe, all new Stellantis models with internal combustion engines use the 3rd generation 1.2L, even though the Puretech name has been dropped from all communications.
On the Italian side, a Fiat Grande Panda, Alfa Romeo Junior or Lancia Ypsilon have this 3rd generation 1.2L engine. Although no longer called Puretech, this engine will have a long career ahead of it, as many new cars in Europe will use it. It will also be gradually deployed in Maghreb countries such as Turkey, Morocco and Algeria, while Latin America should retain the FireFly / GSE engine.
I have a 2/2017 C4Cactus with 83000 kms serviced by the Citroën network with no particular problems to date apart from a slight over-consumption of oil.
Slight overconsumption of oil leads to cat failure in the long enough period, which is fairly costly. No engine with 80k km should excessively use Oil. I have a C4 with 100k and overconsumption of oil, and I'm getting rid of it. It's simply a bad engine.
A chain isn't necessarily more reliable... see all the Germans with chain problems... besides, Vw has gone back to the belt. And my 70s-80s Fiats with belts had no problems with them. It's mainly a question of design quality.
Your 70s/80s fiats didn't have wet belts that are the issue here the same as the problem ford has and has also changed to chain.
Yes, early Fiats had belts and these were very reliable. But they were "dry" installations.
Designing and installing belts in "wet" applications was a huge mistake. The oils break down the belt material with no real assurance of timeline befor disaster strikes. Also, many engines lack the ability to inpect the belt condition. Some use belts to drive the oil pump - another disaster! Thanks
It will be more complete to put the dates on which cars with timing chains were put on the road.
Hello, owner of an Opel crossland from December 2023. Am I concerned by this model with chain or not?
Hello I have a ds3 of 2017 with only 34000 km very very clean impossible to make take back because of the engine pure tec ,or at a derisory price compared to the car. What to do. Thank you
Could you tell if my Citroen c 3 aircross reg SM72VLA has the wet belt thank you.Robert
Perhaps Stellantis should be working on a modification to fit all the wet belt driven engines so that they can be converted to chain drive, this should be an economical priced conversion to save the owners the stress and anxiety of the belts snapping and giving the vehicle a longer life and better resale value
There is a chain conversion kit available though not from Stellantis cost of this put on the customer again but it is a fix for the wet belt problem
Dove si può acquistare questo kit di conversione? Grazie
I have the 208 with wet belt,everyone is moaning about, I think it's a cracking car ,engine as been great, maintenance is the key ,if not serviced and incorrect oil use,problems will occure,I think the only solution is to make a better belt,or modify,I hear off loads cracking but never snapping,if you get 40,000 miles out of one belt ,I think Ur doing ok,can't understand why it's not on the outside was never an issue before and was changed easy,going backwards in technology,all the old saxo,s had great little engines,never an issue 👍
Wet belts lowered emissions by 1 or 2 % apparently. Unbelievable . Newer cars around 2020/21 had upgraded belts made from different materials. Oil grade was changed to 0/20w . @ 30k it maybe a good idea to remove the sump and clean the oil strainer of any debris as a precaution. The belt can be seen through the oil filler cap and inspected .
I have a2016 c4 cactus done 50000 miles 110bhp and have had no problems with it at all
Ich fahre seit März 2016 einen C3 Picasso 1.2 Puretech. Der aktuelle Tachostand ist 112.000 km. Bis auf einen etwas höheren Ölverbrauch gab es bisher keine Probleme. Der Zahnriemen wird im Sommer gewechselt. Ansonsten läuft der Motor super.
buon giorno io come lavoro faccio il meccanico sono stato capo officina PEUGEOT MI SONO INFORMATO X MODIFICA TRA CINGHIA BAGNO OLIO E CATENA ESISTE MA IO HO COMPRATO 208 100 CAVAL ALLA PEUGEOT A PAVIA HO CHIESTO RISPOSTA NON ESISTE NESSUNA MODIFICA MA PERCHE? CE GENTE CHE PIACE QUESTO MODELLO MA DOPO 50 MILA KM CE GENTE CHE PORTATO SEMPRE MACCHINA IN PEUGEOT FARE TAGLIANDI RESTA A PIEDI X LA CINGHIA DISTRIBUZIONE NON E MEGLIO RICHIAMARE TUTTE VETTURE COME AZZIONE DI RICHIAMO DIVIDENDO LA SPESE CON LA CLIENTELA COSI RESTANO CONTENTI?
Hello,
I own a 2008 Allure 130hp automatic, year 2020. Am I concerned by this problem? Thank you
Citroen c1 motor puretech, correa distribución bañada en aceite... la he tenido que cambiar a los 39.000km, una vergüenza.