CriticalCommonEngine

Peugeot 308: EP6 1.6 THP Timing Chain Premature Stretch

EP6 1.6 THP Timing Chain Premature Stretch is a common engine fault on the Peugeot 308 on the 2007–2021 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,800 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 26 documented faults on the Peugeot 308.

Vehicle: Peugeot 308
Engine: 1.6L
Years: 2007–2021
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Peugeot 308 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Peugeot 308 faults26 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

What goes wrong

The PSA-BMW Prince EP6 1.6 THP engine (THP150 in T7, THP200 in T9) uses a plastic-guided simplex timing chain that stretches prematurely when oil change intervals exceed 15,000km or when the engine is run with low oil level. Oil starvation causes the variable valve timing VVT actuator solenoids to varnish and stick, compounding cam-crank phase errors. Chain stretch triggers fault codes P0016 and P0017. In severe cases the chain skips teeth causing bent valves and total engine destruction. The T7 EP6 is more prone than the revised T9 unit but both require vigilant maintenance with 5W30 full-synthetic oil changed no later than every 10,000km.

What you would notice

Metallic rattling from front of engine on cold start lasting 5-15 seconds
Check engine light with fault codes P0016 or P0017
Rough idle and misfires on cold start
Reduced power or limp mode activation
Hesitation and jerking under acceleration

How to check it

Where to look. Front-left of engine block behind timing cover, visible when removing engine undertray

Cold-start the engine and immediately listen for chain rattle from the timing cover area on the left side of the engine bay.
Request full service history to verify oil changes under 10,000km intervals using 5W30 full-synthetic.
Check oil level and condition at the dipstick.
Ask if VVT solenoids have been replaced.
If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect OBD-II scanner and check for P0016/P0017 cam-crank correlation codes and any stored VVT solenoid fault codes.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$2,800 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Can you show full service history with oil change dates and mileage?”
“Has the timing chain or VVT solenoids ever been replaced?”
“Has the car ever shown a check engine light related to cam timing or correlation faults?”

Now check the Peugeot 308 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Peugeot 308 buyer questions

Is ep6 1.6 thp timing chain premature stretch serious on a Peugeot 308?

We rate it critical and common on the Peugeot 308. The PSA-BMW Prince EP6 1.6 THP engine (THP150 in T7, THP200 in T9) uses a plastic-guided simplex timing chain that stretches prematurely when oil change intervals exceed 15,000km or when the engine is run with low oil level. Oil starvation causes the variable valve timing VVT actuator solenoids to varnish and stick, compounding cam-crank phase errors. Chain stretch triggers fault codes P0016 and P0017. In severe cases the chain skips teeth causing bent valves and total engine destruction. The T7 EP6 is more prone than the revised T9 unit but both require vigilant maintenance with 5W30 full-synthetic oil changed no later than every 10,000km.

How much does it cost to fix on a Peugeot 308?

$2,800 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Peugeot 308 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2021 Peugeot 308. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Cold-start the engine and immediately listen for chain rattle from the timing cover area on the left side of the engine bay. Request full service history to verify oil changes under 10,000km intervals using 5W30 full-synthetic. Check oil level and condition at the dipstick. Ask if VVT solenoids have been replaced. If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect OBD-II scanner and check for P0016/P0017 cam-crank correlation codes and any stored VVT solenoid fault codes. Look here: Front-left of engine block behind timing cover, visible when removing engine undertray