Early RCZ Cam Chain Modifications

[Anonymous]

Good afternoon,

I am new to this forum, and have just started looking for my first RCZ. I understand the earlier cars (before 2013 I think) had a known weakness in the engine with the cam chain tensioner, but that a factory fix is available and is likely to have been fitted to cars of that age.

I have seen a car I am interested in (Peugeot RCZ Coupe (2012/61) 1.6 THP Sport) with 54,000 miles for just under £7000 from a dealer. My question is: how can I tell whether the cam chain modification has been fitted to this car or not (i.e. is there any visible external means of telling, or is it down to the service history)?

I have sent the dealer an email to ask the question, but it would be nice to have some method of verifying the work has been done.

O

 

[DKZ5745]

Now that's a good question. Maybe someone that has had it done can advise if there are any visible differences, I think probably not, but some record should be in the service history I would have thought. :eusa-think:

 

[Anonymous]

Now that's a good question. Maybe someone that has had it done can advise if there are any visible differences, I think probably not, but some record should be in the service history I would have thought. :eusa-think:

I suspect you may be right DKZ, I just wondered whether there would be any tell-tale changes that might show it had been done.

I have been in touch with the dealer, who will let me know whether the car has a service history and specifically whether the cam chain issue has been addressed. Otherwise the car looks tidy enough, a black car of the earlier type with the recessed fog lamps. I'm in no rush to buy a car though, my 20 year old Saab convertible will be fine for another summer (well, it would probably be okay for another 10 summers - but my son and I fancy a change), so I'm happy to wait and find a nice RCZ.

 

[DKZ5745]

I did a quick search on Fleabay the other day, I just typed in RCZ. I was looking for something for my Z & I was amazed at the number of RCZ's that are on there for sale.
So as you say, you are in a great position, and can afford to be choosy.

When your Z finds you, you will know :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

I did a quick search on Fleabay the other day, I just typed in RCZ. I was looking for something for my Z & I was amazed at the number of RCZ's that are on there for sale.
So as you say, you are in a great position, and can afford to be choosy.

When your Z finds you, you will know :thumbup:

Thank you for that DKZ.

I agree, I've been surprized by the number of cars available, and quite pleased to see that prices are decreasing quite sharply (although that is not good news for existing owners of course). £7000 for a 2012 50k mile car seems quite reasonable (although I think I might get it a bit cheaper). I suppose the reason for the low prices is the cars are no longer in production.

The sensible thing would probably be to sell the Saab privately once the weather cheers up - convertibles make good money in the spring and summer and on a nice day with the top down it might make between £1000 and £1500, whereas it might only be good for a few hundred as a PX to a mainstream dealer who would just sell it on to the trade. In the meantime it is a fun car that will do fine until we find a suitable RCZ at a keen price.

We (my son and I) are looking forward to RCZ motoring for our second car - and a car with a roof would be usable all year round (which the Saab is not really). I'll be sad to see the Saab go though, it has been fun for the past 2 years (in a sort of 'As good as it gets' way).

 

[Anonymous]

I've been reading through the posts regarding the cam chain tensioner issue in the technical section.

I'm confused as to whether the issue was solved (by Peugeot) in 2011 or with the Mk2 model in 2013 as different posts refer to both dates. Does anyone know the answer? I'm currently looking for my first RCZ and have been discounting pre-2013 cars unless the changed tensioner is documented.

Advice would be appreciated,

Alan

 

[DKZ5745]

My understanding was that the modified part was first fitted as standard when the Mk2 came out (2013-on). I am sure I have read of later model MK1's with the issue (Mk1 2010-2012) but maybe a 2011/2012 Mk1 owner on here can clarify this.

 

[ONLY AEK]

i have a 2012 model and dont have any issues yet
35 km on the clock

maybe the upgreaded parts where fitted earlier than the mk2 maybe not...

 

[Anonymous]

i have a 2012 model and dont have any issues yet
35 km on the clock

maybe the upgreaded parts where fitted earlier than the mk2 maybe not...

Many thanks DKZ and AEK,

I've read dozens of earlier posts on this subject in the technical section, some seem to imply that Peugeot fixed it in 2011, others that the fix was from the Mk2 in 2013; none was definitive.

I've asked the question of two sellers of 2012 cars, the answer in both cases has been that the cars have service histories, but neither has been able to say that the cam chain tensioner has been changed. It would seem (to me) that this would have been quite an important thing to Peugeot considering the number of failures amongst the early engines. Neither seller has been the original owner (one is a dealer), so whether the modification was needed and if so whether it has been fitted seems to be lost in the midst of time.

Both the 2012 cars seem fine otherwise, both fairly low mileage cars (32,000 and 54,000 miles), and both at reasonable prices (£8,000 and £7,000), but I'm loath to commit to either if I might find I need a new engine in a couple of weeks time!

I suppose the safer bet would be to confine my search to 2013 and later cars, or to diesels (but I will not be doing enough miles to justify a diesel).

Best wishes,

Alan

 

[rcz200it]

The issues are only on mk1 156 thp.

 

[neilgsxr69]

Hi there is a slight difference with replacement chain tensioners but awkward to see the tensioner head ( just a hex bolt) is just that on the original, on replacement ones they have either a punch hole directly in the centre of the head of the tensioner or the head has a raised circle area on top. I will try and dig out some photos and post them. What I think is more important is that even the new parts are fickle if the oil level is allowed to drop too low, and these engines generally use oil, the tensioner/chain can fail.
Possibly due to the fact that Peugeot won't admit to the fault in the first place they don't advertise the fact that the jobs been done on service histories, I got a printout of the work done when I had my kit replaced.
When looking at a new car make sure the engines flat cold and listen for A rattle from the offside part of the engine this may quieten down within a minute or so on chains that are bad it will sound like a diesel!.
What I would do is factor in around £600 into the cost of the car for possible future chain replacement.
Good luck :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there is a slight difference with replacement chain tensioners but awkward to see the tensioner head ( just a hex bolt) is just that on the original, on replacement ones they have either a punch hole directly in the centre of the head of the tensioner or the head has a raised circle area on top. I will try and dig out some photos and post them. What I think is more important is that even the new parts are fickle if the oil level is allowed to drop too low, and these engines generally use oil, the tensioner/chain can fail.
Possibly due to the fact that Peugeot won't admit to the fault in the first place they don't advertise the fact that the jobs been done on service histories, I got a printout of the work done when I had my kit replaced.
When looking at a new car make sure the engines flat cold and listen for A rattle from the offside part of the engine this may quieten down within a minute or so on chains that are bad it will sound like a diesel!.
What I would do is factor in around £600 into the cost of the car for possible future chain replacement.
Good luck :thumbup:

Many thanks, that was really helpful.
It is no wonder that sellers are unable to give any reasonable assurance as to whether the modification has been carried out or not, indeed this issue seems to be something of a taboo subject - I suppose no seller wants to admit that his or her car has had a significant failure some time in its past. This does seem to be something of a minefield.
Alan

 

[Plecodoras]

Copied from another post - Kudos to neilgsxr69

Hi, read recently questions about how do I know if I have a revised timing chain tensioner fitted? Below is a photo of three tensioners the first one is the original with just a hex head the other two are revised items which are ok . It's a bit tricky to locate where this is but all you can see of it on your engine is the head of the tensioner obviously on the cam chain side of the motor about a third of the way down and more to the front of the engine.
It's still possible to have a knackered chain though even if a new tensioner has been fitted!
Hope this helps :thumbup:

[/quote]

:beer:

 

[Anonymous]

Copied from another post - Kudos to neilgsxr69

Hi, read recently questions about how do I know if I have a revised timing chain tensioner fitted? Below is a photo of three tensioners the first one is the original with just a hex head the other two are revised items which are ok . It's a bit tricky to locate where this is but all you can see of it on your engine is the head of the tensioner obviously on the cam chain side of the motor about a third of the way down and more to the front of the engine.
It's still possible to have a knackered chain though even if a new tensioner has been fitted!
Hope this helps :thumbup:

:beer:[/quote]
Thank you for taking the time to find that. I read dozens of posts in the technical section but didn't come across this one.

 

[Anonymous]

I have one of the very first cars off the production line (arrived in OZ in Dec10) and have had no problems except for the erroneous overheat alarm which I had fixed. No timing chai issues. Only replaced the original battery this week. Lasted 6 years

 

[neilgsxr69]

I have one of the very first cars off the production line (arrived in OZ in Dec10) and have had no problems except for the erroneous overheat alarm which I had fixed. No timing chai issues. Only replaced the original battery this week. Lasted 6 years

That's amazing! I also have one of the first cars off the production line being the launch edition, my timing chain needed replacement at 17k miles how many miles do you have on yours? And I wonder if the warmer climate has anything to do with it? :eusa-think: the chain problem usually rears its head on cold start ups.

 

[drdino]

I have one of the very first cars off the production line (arrived in OZ in Dec10) and have had no problems except for the erroneous overheat alarm which I had fixed. No timing chai issues. Only replaced the original battery this week. Lasted 6 years

What's the mileage?

 

[RCZash]

The issues are only on mk1 156 thp.

I do not want to worry anyone unduly but I know an R owner who has recently had the chain replaced for the second time. Mileage just under 30000. :shock:

 

[RCZ-R]

The issues are only on mk1 156 thp.

I do not want to worry anyone unduly but I know an R owner who has recently had the chain replaced for the second time. Mileage just under 30000. :shock:

Do you have more details on that? Like what is his driving profile, what engine oil does he use?
Thanks!

 

[RCZash]

Hi
Only know it has been serviced by Peugeot as required. Mixed driving with a good thrashing now and again.