Stellantis is recognising specific technical issues with some of its PureTech petrol engines and it offering compensation to customers who’ve suffered loss.
The new scheme applies to vehicles with 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engines from Citroen, DS Automobiles, Vauxhall and Peugeot.
Claims are being considered for customers who suffered expenses in relation to excessive oil consumption and/or premature timing belt failure between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024.
An online portal was launched earlier this year for some European customers, and has now been expanded to accept claims for UK vehicles – motorists can apply here https://stellantis-support.com.
Conditions for compensation include, that services related to excessive oil consumption and/or premature degradation of the timing belt must have complied with the manufacturers’ maintenance plan and been performed by any automotive professional, while both diagnosis and repair must have been conducted through the authorised network.
Stellantis extended the warranty on previous generations of PureTech engines due to excessive oil consumption and premature degradation of the timing belt, covering 100% of the costs for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles for both parts and labour, under certain conditions.
The use of ‘wet belts’ was introduced by some manufacturers to reduce emissions and increase efficiency, but the longevity of these powertrains was overestimated.
Ford has had similar issues, prompting a change in its service interval for models using the EcoBlue diesel engine. Because the rubber belt is in constant contact with the oil, it can cause the belt to degrade more quickly, especially if the wrong type of oil is used. As a result, it may not last as long as the manufacturer’s handbook states it should.
Wet timing belts can also cause another form of engine failure: one that is unique to this type of belt. As the wet belt gradually picks up wear and tear over time, small particles come off the belt and are picked up by the oil. Because the belt and the oil bath are inside the engine, they are then circulated throughout the rest of the engine system. This can block or damage crucial engine parts and cause blockages in the system that prevent the engine oil from circulating, both of which will lead to engine failure.