C5 Air cross 1.2 Puretech Timing Belt change

[Ph1l]

Hi all,

My 2019 C5 Air cross is due its timing belt change.
I have read the threads on these belts and know that there are some issues with them disintegrating and causing oil starvation. I actually have an intermittent fault with the car telling me that oil level is low (levels are fine when I dip it). This seems to trigger when parking on an incline but it does also concern me that this could be related to my belt beginning to break up. Another reason to get on with having it changed...

My local Citroen dealers are quoting around £700 for the timing belt and aux belt inc. fitting.
I've just had a rather scary conversation with my local mechanic who told me he's worked on loads of these wet belt Puretech engines. He explained they need all associated parts changing along with the belt (tensioners, pulleys etc) as well as the sump lowering and clearing as bits of old belt end up in the filter and sump. All this would cost about £1400! He also said he makes sure he's using the latest version of the replacement belt as stellantis regularly improve them and issue new versions.

I just wondered if any of this sounds familiar to those in the know. I'd like to make sure the job is being done properly but I'm not really up for spending £1.5k if I can avoid it!

Thanks
Ph1l

[routemaster1]

I had this on my C3. I did get a couple of low oil warnings, then I had 3 low oil pressure and stop warnings and the car going into limp mode. These happened 2 days before it was due to have the belt changed. If you are starting to get warnings, then there may already be bits of belt in the oil pick up and filters, so just changing the belt may not solve the issues. I was very lucky. I bought my car new, had it exclusively main dealer serviced according to the schedule, and I maintained full Citroen warranty. I had the car booked in beore the mileage limit for the belt change. I had all of the work done gratis under warranty, and I didn't have to pay the expected £519 bill for the belt change. There is a TSB that needs to be followed and that seems to include a new sump, then an oil flush and second oil fill. All of this is recorded on the paperwork I was provided with. Apparently it is unusual to be provided with documentation, but at least I have proof of what was done.The car went in early on a Monday and I picked it up just after lunch on Wednesday. The car has been absolutely fine since.

Really glad I have extended warranty!

As a footnote, my car sometimes throws a low oil warning if it is started parked on an upslope. This shouldn't be an issue if you stop as soon as possible on flat ground, stop the engine, the wait about 1 minute before restarting.

[Ph1l]

Thanks for the info. I’ve actually just had another look at the belt and there’s what looks like hairline cracks in it which are making me worried. I spoke to a main dealer to get a bit more info about what’s actually included in their fixed price and apparently it’s just changing the belt and water pump. If any cleaning out of the sump and oil pump is needed then it’s more like £1200. This probably explains the disparity in the 2 prices I got!