GT and GTi withdrawn from production

[carregwen]

Does anyone know why the 207 GT and Gti have been withdrawn from production? I rang Peugeot (UK) last night as there are no details of those models on their website. They confirmed they have been withdrawn, but wouldn't say why.

I ask because I have had considerable problems with power loss on my GTs (that's a plural) The first one was returned to the Peugeot factory two years ago after they failed to diagnose the power problems. Now I am having problems with the replacement GT. here is the history...

I bought a new 207 GT in 2006. 18 months later it developed significant power loss problems. Most of the time it showed de-pollution errors on the error panel. The car was investigated by the dealer over a period of 3 months to no avail - they couldn't locate the source of the problem despite £1,200 worth of engine management components being fitted. The car was eventually sent back to the factory and I had a new GT with a very good trade-in to compensate me. The new GT is now 18 months old and the same thing is happening again, but this time with no error indicators showing at the time of power loss. The car is bog standard with no mods. I use 97 octane fuel most of the time. Mileage is 21,000. Below are details of current problems with dates. According to the dealer, the last car they sent back to Peugeot was mine 18 months ago. It is pretty rare, evidently, for a car to go back to the factory.

Has anyone experienced these problems to this extent? I think this is a dangerous fault. The last time it happened I was pulling away from a roundabout - a car was approaching and I judged that I had enough time to pull out. The power failed on acceleration, and the other car nearly ran into my driver door.

These are the problems with the second GT

Jan 5th 2010 – Intermittent problems with power loss. No errors showing on engine management but we did have a ‘depollution’ error a few days previously. But not when the actual power loss happened. Car due for service on Jan 7th.

Jan 7th 2010 – Car serviced (20,000). Fuel mix altered to rectify power problem.

Jan 13th – 15th 2010 – Further power loss problems over three days. No error lights showing. Phoned dealer on 15th and arranged for car to be taken in for checks on 17th.

Jan 17th 2010 – Car to garage for checks. Fault found in the ‘brake indication’ sensor. Unit replaced. Car taken back by customer.

Jan 18th – Feb 9th 2010 – No problems at all. Car running extremely well. Acceleration and power levels perfect.

Feb 10th 2010 – Driving 5 miles into town experienced further power loss on acceleration. No error lights showing what the fault area is. Took car straight to dealer, who have kept it for a week. They can detect the power loss on their diagnostic tests, but it is not indicating where the fault is occurring.

Feb 16th 2010 – Car still being investigated by dealer. Phoned Peugeot Customer Dept Raised a complaint case with them. Awaiting response by Thusday 18th.

Feb 17th 2010 – Dealer rang to say that they still can’t reproduce fault. Been in touch with Peugeot Technical section at Peugeot UK. They have looked at the diagnostics done by the dealer and can’t see any problem. They suggested that the dealer reset the engine management electrical and drive the car over the next few days to try to reproduce the fault while driving. Then run diagnostics again and report back.

No further problems since Feb 2010, but then...

24/05/10 further power loss on acceleration. Took to garage same day and they ran diagnostics. Error found in the engine management system to do with engine temperature. Part replaced on 26/05/10.

Question: Is there a known problem with the GT/GTi engine? Has it affected the Mini Cooper, which shares the same engine?

[chopper1192]

Yeah, pug announced about 6 months back they were dropping the GT and GTi from the 207 range, because they weren't selling well and at the size and price were seen as competition for the new emphasis on sporty coupes of the future, such as the RCZ. The 308 GT continues, and is about to be joined by a 308 GTi, but the size and pricing puts them in a different market segment. And yes, the MINI suffers the same problems. The main issue is a problem with the camtrain that allows camshaft timing to slip out fractionally, just enough to confuse the signal sent by the crank angle sensor and upset the ECU. There are multitude other causes, but that's emerging as a front runner.

[carregwen]

Originally Posted by chopper1192

Yeah, pug announced about 6 months back they were dropping the GT and GTi from the 207 range, because they weren't selling well and at the size and price were seen as competition for the new emphasis on sporty coupes of the future, such as the RCZ. The 308 GT continues, and is about to be joined by a 308 GTi, but the size and pricing puts them in a different market segment. And yes, the MINI suffers the same problems. The main issue is a problem with the camtrain that allows camshaft timing to slip out fractionally, just enough to confuse the signal sent by the crank angle sensor and upset the ECU. There are multitude other causes, but that's emerging as a front runner.

Thanks for that info. I'm not car-technical, I'm afraid. You mention the camshaft problem - I also get a rattle in the engine (like pinking) when I start up sometimes. Could that be the camshaft? I use 97 octane fuel (not supermarket)

[PureJoe]

Timing chain? May account for the rattle. http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=184371 The BMW part seems to be the answer.

[carregwen]

Thanks for the info PureJoe, I will pass it on to my garage tomorrow.

Rob

[207GTI57plate]

The main issue is a problem with the camtrain that allows camshaft timing to slip out fractionally, just enough to confuse the signal sent by the crank angle sensor and upset the ECU. There are multitude other causes, but that's emerging as a front runner.

Does this mean that parts will dry up too?

Mine is going through engine and exhaust components every time it goes back in to the garage for this seemingly unsolveable DEPOLUTION SYSTEM FAULT

[carregwen]

Originally Posted by 207GTI57plate

The main issue is a problem with the camtrain that allows camshaft timing to slip out fractionally, just enough to confuse the signal sent by the crank angle sensor and upset the ECU. There are multitude other causes, but that's emerging as a front runner.

Does this mean that parts will dry up too?

Mine is going through engine and exhaust components every time it goes back in to the garage for this seemingly unsolveable DEPOLUTION SYSTEM FAULT

Thanks for that info. I sold my car two weeks ago. Did a part-ex on a nearly new 207 110 Sport. I just don't trust the GT engine any more having had one go back to the factory, and the second one was also playing up.

[chopper1192]

They have a lawful obligation to supply parts for 10 years, and the engine lives on in other pugs and the MINI gay car thingy, so I can't see parts supply being a problem.