Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel. 1.5 (DV5) Diesel Breakdown Problems
Amidst the roar of revving engines, the PSA group’s diminutive powerhouses stand tall, with not a drop of varnish to tarnish their shine. However, even the mighty 1.5 BlueHDi (DV5) engine, which made its debut in the second-generation Peugeot 308 II back in 2017, has been subject to scrutiny due to its injection shock and finicky AdBlue tank. But now, an internal technical note has been sent out to dealerships across a variety of brands, highlighting a new problem with Euro 6.3 (or Euro 6.D) blocks manufactured after December 31, 2019.
Causes and effects
The issue lies with the camshaft drive chain, which gradually opens and eventually snaps, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. Owners of the affected vehicles have noticed two tell-tale signs of trouble: first, the timing belt begins to make an unsettling noise, caused by slack in the camshaft drive chain. Second, the engine refuses to start at all, due to the chain’s failure, which leads to the 1.5 BlueHDi’s downfall. It’s a delicate dance, with the chain connecting the two camshafts initially controlled by a delicate balance of resistance. The once-mighty 1.5 diesel engine, a proud piece of machinery, was starting to crumble. Its camshaft housing was withering away, like a victim of a corrosive chemical attack. The engine needed a change, and fast. Luckily, the PSA group came to the rescue, bringing with it technical upgrades that promised to breathe new life into the engine. The upgrades included a beefier 8 mm chain assembly and “new generation” exhaust valves that would help the engine run smoother and faster. But how could one tell if the engine had undergone this transformation? Well, the answer lay in the etched reference on the camshaft housing. If the number was 98 305 804 80, the engine had been upgraded with the latest improvements. But if the reference number was 98 126 472 80 and the housing was flat, the engine still had the old, weaker 7 mm chain. So the next time you see a 1.5 diesel engine, take a closer look at its camshaft housing – it might just reveal its true strength.
