1.5 BlueHDi engine timing chain information.

[DaveL12345]

Hi

Recently purchased a 2020 Citroen C5 Aircross 1.5 BlueHDi Flair 130 EAT8 Automatic

Had it serviced at Citroen and asked them if they had come across the 7mm chain issue. They said they have never heard of it ???

So I have now sent them copy of other owners examples stating that there is obviously an issue that can have catastrophic consequences if it had to snap.

They rang me back now saying they have had a 'few' issues but not requiring an engine change. TBA I don't think she knew what she was talking about and didn't want the hassle.

She said they could not check if it had a 7mm change via the VIN I had given them and would need a top end removal just to check engine number to be able to check. This would cost £230 just to get the engine number!

They also said that the Technical Service Bulletins quoted are not valid.

Could somebody please check my VIN: VR7ACYHZRLL039355 to establish if I have a 7mm chain.

Many thanks for any assistance.

[martyness]

The main dealers won't acknowledge the issue unless you show them the screenshots from this forum regarding the issue.

They've effectively been told by Citroen to bury their heads in the sand and only acknowledge if the person is clued up on the issue. Even then you ideally need to speak to the head mechanic who will have a much better clue than the person on the service desk (they only really know about recalls)

[DaveL12345]

I did screen shots of this forum for my local main dealer but they insisted they were not aware of the problem. After this duff info, I tried calling another for a second opinion.

The guy on service desk at the 2nd dealer WAS aware of the issue and I had a useful conversation with him. They would not cover any preventative work and recommended to wait for any problems to arise.

What was interesting, he said that as Citroen are aware of the issue they would extend the warranty to 5 years if the chain snapped and repair FOC. However this is only if the car has a full service history.

[DaveL12345]

Anybody got a link to purchase recommended 05W30 FPW9.55535/03 oil for this engine?

I have found link below, is this correct?

https://www.ravenol-direct.uk/1111122-005-01-999.html

Thanks

[Anubis]

Has Citroen changed the oil spec to 0w20 to be used ?
Thanks Alan

[creep_pea]

Anybody got a link to purchase recommended 05W30 FPW9.55535/03 oil for this engine?

I have found link below, is this correct?

https://www.ravenol-direct.uk/1111122-005-01-999.html

Thanks

I think you can use Total Quartz Ineo RCP 5W-30 and Mobil 1ESP Formula P 5W-30 but I asked a few suppliers and they said it’s not available yet.
I too found the Ravenol too, but it just says recommended not approved so I’m not sure if that is acceptable.

[Juan Sheet]

Has Citroen changed the oil spec to 0w20 to be used ?
Thanks Alan

If this is for your 72 Berlingo, then yes, oil specs were changed early in 2024 to help compensate for cam chain stress and wear on cold starts. The current grade is 5W30 and the specification is (FPW9.55535/03).

[creep_pea]

Has Citroen changed the oil spec to 0w20 to be used ?
Thanks Alan

No, it used to be 0W20 and they’ve changed it to 5W30 (DV5 engines with the 7mm chain)

[creep_pea]

Mines a Vauxhall so take this with a pinch of salt but it’s the same engine.
I was worried about using the wrong oil so I booked it in with the main dealer, annoyingly they didn’t use the approved oil, in the service booklet it say they’ve used 0W-30 for both services and on the invoices it says L5W30 Helix Plus Oil for the most recent service and L1639368980 Lubricant 0W30 C2 (5 for the 1st service.

I’m awaiting a reply to see what they say about the what the actual oil used is.

[Juan Sheet]

As per my post above, it may be because the correct oil was used at the time of the first service. As I said, the oil grades for some engines were changed in early 2024 to new grades and therefore that may be why they are are using the new grade and specification for your most recent service, so nothing to worry about....

This was done in the case of the DV5 engines to lessen the stress on the cam chain at cold starts, so using 5w30 rather than 0w30 means it has a thicker viscosity, so will cling more to the engine components and the cam chain specifically in this case.