1.5 BlueHDi · 1.5 EcoBlue · Cars, vans & campervans
1.5 Diesel Cam Chain Upgrade in Wallsend – 7mm to 8mm
The updated 8mm cam chain kit fitted at our Wallsend workshop, for the 1.5 diesel in cars and vans including the Peugeot 208 and 3008, Vauxhall Astra and Vivaro, Citroën Berlingo and C5 Aircross, and Ford Focus and Transit Connect. Family cars, work vans and campervans all welcome.
Is your engine affected?
The 1.5 BlueHDi cam chain problem (the same engine as the Ford 1.5 EcoBlue) is a thin 7mm chain, often called the timing chain, that links the two camshafts on the 1.5 diesel built from about October 2017 to January 2023. It can stretch early (oil condition and soot are widely blamed), and a stretched chain can jump a tooth or snap. Engines built from 2023 have a stronger 8mm chain from the factory.
1.5 BlueHDi / 1.5 Turbo D. Cars include the Peugeot 208, 2008, 308, 3008 and 5008, Citroën C3, C3 Aircross, C4 Cactus and C5 Aircross, Vauxhall Astra, Crossland and Grandland, and DS 3 Crossback. Vans include the Partner, Rifter, Expert, Berlingo, Dispatch, Combo, Vivaro, Doblo and Scudo.
The 1.5 diesel Proace City and Proace share the same engine.
Transit Connect, Tourneo Connect, Focus, Kuga and Puma with the 1.5 EcoBlue diesel.
Quick check: look at the cam carrier
The part number is cast into the top of the engine on the cam carrier. 9812647280 means the original 7mm chain. 9830580480 means it already has the 8mm upgrade. Not sure? Send us your reg and a photo of the top of the engine, or call in and we’ll take a look.
Warning signs
✓ Rattle on a cold start
A rattle or scraping from the top of the engine for a few seconds after starting from cold.
✓ Engine warning light
Often with timing-related fault codes.
✓ Rough running
Loss of power, rough idle or hard starting.
Don’t leave it.
If the chain jumps or snaps, the valves can hit the pistons – and a planned chain job turns into a far bigger engine repair.
No rattle yet? You can still change it.
Plenty of owners have the 8mm upgrade fitted before anything goes wrong, rather than waiting for the first warning sign – especially if they plan to keep the vehicle or use it for long trips.
Before you book: you might be covered
If you drive a Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, DS or Fiat, the manufacturer runs an extended cover scheme on 1.5 BlueHDi engines built October 2017 to January 2023 – up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. It needs the vehicle to have been serviced to the manufacturer’s schedule (by any garage), and the repair itself has to be done by one of their authorised dealers.
Check your vehicle at stellantis-support.com or ask your dealer – we’ll happily point you the right way before you spend a penny.
Not covered, been turned down, got gaps in your service history, or can’t wait for a dealer slot? Ford and Toyota owners aren’t part of that scheme either. That’s where we come in.
What’s included
New camshafts, cam carrier, 8mm chain, tensioner and seals.
Recommended while the engine is apart – it saves paying the labour twice.
To the latest manufacturer oil specification.
Price
Get in touch for a fixed quote
Every vehicle is priced before any work starts, so there are no surprises. Ask for your quote
Common questions
Is this covered by warranty?
Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, DS and Fiat engines may be covered by the manufacturer’s scheme (see above), but that repair has to go through a main dealer. If you’re not covered, we can do it here. Read our guide to the scheme
How long does it take?
Usually about two working days. We’ll confirm when you book.
Will it fix the rattle?
If the rattle is coming from the cam chain, yes – the upgrade replaces the chain, tensioner and the parts it runs on. We check where the noise is coming from first.
Can I have it done before it starts rattling?
Yes. Many owners change it as a precaution once they know their engine has the original 7mm chain, rather than waiting for symptoms.
Can I keep driving it?
If it’s rattling badly or the engine warning light is on, we’d advise not driving it – including to us. Ring us first and we’ll talk it through; it may be safer to bring it in on a recovery truck.
What else do you work on?
We service and repair cars, vans, pickups, trailers, campervans and motorhomes. See our car, van & trailer repairs.
Cam chain replacement near Newcastle and across the North East
Whether it’s a Vauxhall Vivaro cam chain upgrade, a Citroën Berlingo 1.5 cam chain, a Peugeot 1.5 BlueHDi or a Ford Transit Connect 1.5 EcoBlue timing chain, we fit the same 7mm to 8mm upgrade kit at our workshop on Davy Bank, Wallsend.
We’re easy to reach from Newcastle, North Shields, Whitley Bay and the rest of North Tyneside, and Hadrian Road Metro station is about a five-minute walk away if you’re dropping your vehicle off.
Get a quote
Send us your reg, mileage, any symptoms and who has serviced it (dealer, independent or a mix). WhatsApp and email open with those questions ready to fill in.
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am – 4:45pm
Friday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: closed
We’re an independent workshop and not a Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, Toyota or Ford dealer. Brand names are used only to describe which vehicles this work suits.