Might sound crazy, but where are you getting your fuel from? If i use supermarket fuel i get strange noises and generally rubbish performance from my 307. Not saying this is same for you but never know.

 

Sounds like possibly a timing chain issue to me, it takes a little while for the hydraulic tensioners to pump up with oil and the timing won't be spot-on until that happens. The timing gear is a common issue on these engines, they have a chain rather than a belt. Do a search on here or google it.

 

This is a common theme on the peugeot rcz forum.

Quite a few of us appear to be experiencing it recently.

My own RCZ has now done 8,000 miles and it has done it 3 or 4 times.

No one at the moment has got a solution to the problem.

 

Get the tensioner changed ASAP. Quite an easy and common job, I am sure they have upgraded the tensioner. It will sh*g the chain and cause major engine issues if left for a long period.

 

I have the solution

I had the entire timing chain assembly replaced. On warranty of course.
No nasty sounds any longer.
It took the entire assembly because everything had a wrong wear because of the loose hydraulic tensioner. So, if you are on warranty do it asap. The cost of spare parts for that job was nearly 600 EUR, plus some 6 service hours or so.

 

If it is making a clatter at start up change the timing chain tensioner bolt and the top chain guide immediately and if the chain is stretched replace it as well. Do this as soon as possible otherwise the engine may be damaged. Also change oil every 10,000 KM for synthetic oil and half of that for mineral. Change sooner if you do a lot of city driving. The 1.6thp engine itself is quite solid and reliable except for the timing issue.

 

Update

The timing chain that was replaced at the end of the last year did not last long. This summer I noticed the noise was back. So, I had the whole assembly replaced the second time after 12 months and 10k km. (I was driving it very little this year). Apparently what they replaced the first time was no better. I don't know about this time. I still have 2 years of warranty.

Another problem of these engines is that some burnt residue forms at the inlet valves, which reduces the engine power, increases fuel consumption and makes it run unevenly and have some acceleration gaps. (well, it's what I have noticed). There is a special cleaning procedure suggested by Peugeot. It makes a difference indeed. The time for this residue to form is little indeed. My car had 46k km on the dash when it needed that cleaning procedure.

They say this engine was made by BMW...

 

What exactly is that procedure for cleaning the engine,please? is it done at the dealer under warranty or should be paid for?
I have 1.6 THP .2012 67k but still have one year warranty.

 

It was done under the warranty.
They remove the inlet manifold and blast soda pellets through a special hose inside to remove all crap. The procedure requires changing of engine oil.
That's all I know. They said earlier they had to remove the engine head to do this cleaning.

 

It was done under the warranty.
They remove the inlet manifold and blast soda pellets through a special hose inside to remove all crap. The procedure requires changing of engine oil.
That's all I know. They said earlier they had to remove the engine head to do this cleaning.[/QUOTE
thanks for reply.
The only sound I hear is when I push the start button for a second or two. Can I ask them to do this procedure even there's not need(from their view) as a precaution and to restore the lost power?! However,I perssume not.

 

If you've got loss of power, the dealers should do what it takes to put it right

 

I understand they have a way of telling if you need this procedure.
Loss of power is a bit subjective. It doesnt lose power in one second. It does so over months bit by bit as the residue accumulates. I couldnt really tell until they made this cleaning. Then it turned out to have more power.

Henngeel, do you mean you never had the timing chain problem?
Have you ever listened to the sound of the engine in the morning? with the bonnet open preferably. It has a terrible rattle coming from the left side of the engine compartment which goes away in about 2 minutes. It may be accompanied by a metallic noise coming from the underside of the engine compartment. Similar to the noise you would get when the exhaust muffler is damaged inside and there are metal sheets trembling against each other.
When somebody accelerates during that time you also get more rattle both on increasing and decreasing rpms. Then it means that the tensioner is no longer working and the chain replacement is in order.

 

Thanks. Nothing of those . It's just the second when I bush the start button.

 

Carbon buildup on direct injection engines

Turns out, this is a known issue for all direct injection engines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS8riAae_bM

 

Is it only petrol engines that suffer or is it common to diesels as well?

 

Carbon build up or rattling chains?

 

Carbon build up.

 

All engines . Probably not helped by driving gently so I'll be in trouble

 

Here is a link to a TDI forum, where people discuss carbon buildup on diesel engines with direct injection.
Why don't TDIs accumulate carbon on intake valves/head like Gasoline DI engines? - TDIClub Forums

In short, modern diesels do not tend to have this issue as badly as petrol engines, I understand due to aggressive EGR.