For the 2023 model year, Peugeot has officially said that it will stop offering diesel and gasoline-only engines which means that all next-gen Peugeot cars are going to use either solely electric powertrains or a hybrid powertrain. The 1.6L PureTech engine is to be sacked for that very same reason, but many people argue that it is still too good to get rid of.
Thankfully, the used car market is filled with enticing 1.6L PureTech models which include models not only from Peugeot, but also from DS, Citroen, Opel/Vauxhall, and even BMW and Mini. In this article, we are going to go through the most common Peugeot 1.6 PureTech engine problems and tell you what is there to go wrong with it.
First of all, we need to mention timing chain problems, more specifically, the timing belt snapping and causing a ton of other problems. Other problems include oil leaks, and fuel injector problems, both of which can also be expensive and relatively difficult to resolve.
Lastly, we also need to talk about carbon deposits which do occur after the engine has been used for a long while. If these aren’t cleaned, they can cause a plethora of problems which are most likely going to lead to you needing to buy a brand-new engine.
Timing Chain Problems
Timing chain problems are some of the worst problems any engine can suffer from because they can cause terminal engine damage. The problem with the 1.6L engine is that its chain and the chain controller are prone to wear and tear at a fairly fast rate. This means that both of these can break and the chain can lead the entire engine to its imminent downfall.
Some have said that this is caused by the chain not being strong enough to cope with the torque this engine can actually offer. Another problem is due to a faulty tensioner that refuses to maintain the proper oil level. If these aren’t dealt with in due time, they will eventually lead to the chain breaking and potentially even destroying the engine and some of its nearby components.
Oil Leaks
Many owners complained about the 1.6L PureTech having trouble maintaining proper engine oil pressure which is sure to lead to a number of problems. Engine oil is used to both lubricate the engine internals and to keep the engine cool. If the engine is unable to operate at its optimum temperature, it is not going to be able to clean itself or maintain decent power output.
The problem here is that some of the seals around the oil lines and their associated components can become brittle and leak oil. Peugeot said that the correct intervals for oil changes are every 30,000 kilometers (2 years), but many Peugeot specialists believe that you should do the above every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers just to be safe.
Fuel Injector Problems
If you hear your 1.6L PureTech hissing or emitting chaffing noises from the top, it is likely due to a leak. If you don’t deal with this problem in due time, it is going to lead to contamination and injector damage. If you really miss the mark, your turbocharger can also fail as the oil becomes too contaminated to even reach the turbocharger.
As such, be sure to pay close attention to the fuel injectors whenever servicing the car. Some have also reported sensing strong fuel odors entering the cabin which can often be caused by leaky fuel injectors. Saying that these are nothing but a nuisance is wrong as being exposed to fuel odors for a long time can also be detrimental to your health, especially if you don’t often recirculate the air in your cabin.
Carbon Deposits
When direct injection engines came out on the scene, people were surprised as to how powerful these engines can be without hampering the overall efficiency footprint. The direct injection spray pattern enabled greater precision which leads to more power and leaves room for a smaller engine, both of which aid in performance.
However, the downside of direct injection is carbon depositing which can occur when thick layers of carbon start settling on the engine internals. These will need to be cleaned using the “Walnut Blasting” technique a few times during the lifespan of a well-maintained engine. If you fail to do this, it is going to destroy the engine eventually.
FAQ Section
Is The Peugeot 1.6L PureTech A Good Engine?
The Peugeot 1.6L PureTech is indeed a really good engine as it combines good efficiency with more than enough power for all of your daily needs. Sure, it may not be overly exciting or emotional, but that is inherently the case with these small engines. It is an engine designed to be a tool, and a good tool it most definitely is.
It’s rather a shame that these are slowly being phased out in favor of smaller hybridized units, but that is a sign of the times we are living in. However, since so many cars use these engines, they will be in great supply on the used car market for many years to come.
Are PureTech Engines Any Good?
PureTech engines are some of the most advanced engines the PSA group has ever come out with. All of them are small, compact, lightweight, economical, and have a relatively small CO2 footprint. Even though these are going out, they are some of the most advanced engines you can find in this segment.
However, we do need to point out that there are some reliability problems with these that can make them a bit unwanted in addition to the fact that they aren’t exciting.
Are PureTech Engines Diesel Or Gasoline?
PureTech engines are what Peugeot likes to call its gasoline engines. There are no PureTech diesel engines as comparable Peugeot diesel engines are called BlueHDi. No matter which one of these two you prefer, they are both on their way out in favor of newer, smaller, and hybridized engines which are the only options you can choose for next-gen Peugeot models.
