The timing belt (or cambelt, they are the same thing) is a critical component of your engine, and it must be renewed at regular intervals. If it isn’t renewed, and it breaks, it can cause terminal damage to the engine. Having the timing belt renewed is labour and cost intensive, and most garages will estimate around six hours to change the cambelt on a Citroen DS3.
Most Citroen DS3s have a timing belt. The only version that has a chain is the DS3 Racing, which has the PSA THP engine also fitted to the Mini. These are vulnerable to timing chain issues and therefore the chain should be inspected regularly. If you aren’t sure which engine you have, your owner’s manual should tell you.
Short answer: Timing belts on petrols should be replaced every six years or 62,500 miles, whichever comes first. Timing belts on diesels should be replaced every ten years or 112,500 miles, whichever comes first.
What does the timing belt do?
The timing belt is named as such because it keeps the engine in time. This means it synchronises the rotation of the crank and cam, so that the valves can open and shut at the correct time in relation to the pistons. If the engine runs out of time (like what would happen if the timing belt were to snap) the pistons hit the valves and your engine is a write-off.
Additionally the timing belt drives the water pump (which doesn’t actually pump water, it pumps coolant) and if this fails it can cause your engine to overheat and seize. This is why you always replace the water pump and the cambelt at the service interval, even if both work properly – simply because of the catastrophic damage it would cause if either were to fail.
Citroen DS3 Cambelt/Timing Belt Change Interval
We’ve looked at every model of the DS3 from 2009 onwards, whether they have a chain or a cambelt, and when the belt or chain should be replaced. We’ve not considered the new DS3 Crossback, although this is also fitted with the same 1.2L PureTech or 1.5L BlueHDi engines as other PSA group cars and therefore the timing belt intervals are the same as previous generations.
| Service interval | Fuel type | Fitted to model years | Belt or chain | Service interval |
| 1.2L VTi 82 | Petrol | 2012 onwards | Belt | 62,500 miles or six years |
| 1.4L VTi 95 | Petrol | 2009 – 2012 | Belt | 62,500 miles or six years |
| 1.2L PureTech 110 | Petrol | 2015 onwards | Belt | 62,500 miles or six years |
| 1.2L PureTech 130 | Petrol | 2016 onwards | Belt | 62,500 miles or six years |
| 1.6L VTi 120 | Petrol | 2009 – 2015 | Belt | 62,500 miles or six years |
| 1.6L THP | Petrol | 2011 onwards | Chain | Lifetime |
| 1.6 HDi FAP | Diesel | 2009 onwards | Belt | 112,500 miles or ten years |
| 1.6 e-HDi | Diesel | 2011 onwards | Belt | 112,500 miles or ten years |
| 1.5L BlueHDi | Diesel | 2014 onwards | Belt | 112,500 miles or ten years |
The chain on the THP engine is a lifetime part, but there are numerous reports of problems with these engines resulting in the chain needing to be replaced at some point during the car’s life, so it’s entirely possible you will need to change the chain at some point. I’m planning another article on this, so stay tuned.
An important note about the cambelt change interval in petrol DS3s
If you have a petrol DS3 (not a DS3 Racing) that was manufactured before 2015, you may notice that the timing belt interval in your owner’s manual is a lot longer than what we’ve written here. Originally the timing belt interval for VTi and PureTech engines was the same as the diesel engines.
The timing belt on the VTi and PureTech engines runs in the engine oil. Early versions of this belt would have issues where parts of the belt would crumble and break off, end up in the sump, get picked up by the oil pump and would ultimately cause the engine to become starved of oil. However, because the belt was breaking up, they would be far more prone to snapping and causing terminal engine damage. As a result, Peugeot/Citroen revised the timing belt interval down to 62,500 miles and six years.
I’ve written very extensively about this issue on this site because I’ve seen quite a few of these engines with this particular issue, so it’s worth mentioning that if your manual says different to what’s written here, you should ignore the manual because it’s out of date. If you’ve exceeded this mileage or time since your belt was changed, you should book it in for a replacement ASAP.
Should the water pump be replaced with the timing belt on a DS3?
The water pump should always be replaced alongside the timing belt with any car. Water pumps are also prone to failure, and if the pump seizes it is likely going to cause considerable damage to your engine, even if the timing belt is fine.
I am aware that Citroen do fixed priced servicing for the timing belt, and will actually replace the timing belt without the water pump if this is what you ask them for. I would highly recommend not doing this and getting the water pump replaced at the same time – in the long run it will be cheaper and safer than your engine.
What are the signs that the timing belt is going?
Unfortunately you very rarely get a sign that your timing belt is about to fail – usually it just snaps. On the PureTech engines you can actually see the timing belt if you take the oil cap off, which should give you some indication as to what condition it’s in.
The diesel engines don’t allow this and you need to be able to take the timing cover off to see the belt – so you will have very little idea of the condition it’s in before it goes.
Even a belt that looks good can fail at any point – and so if you want to make sure you never have to deal with a snapped timing belt, make sure you get it replaced at the proper intervals.
Is my DS3’s engine ruined if the timing belt breaks?
Yes – both petrol and diesel engines fitted to the DS3 are interference engines and will cause significant damage if the belt snaps. You should also be aware that even if the belt doesn’t snap, some of the teeth can shear off and cause the engine to go out of time – so it’s very important to get the belt changed at the designated intervals.
Does a car service check the timing belt?
Generally, no, a service won’t mean that the timing belt is checked. On the diesel versions of the DS3 it’s almost as much work to inspect the timing belt as it is to change it, so it’s pointless to ask someone to check the belt as you might as well ask them to change it – they will charge you a similar amount of money.
On the petrols you could inspect the belt yourself, or ask your service technician to do it for you – all you need to do is take the oil cap off, but generally if your car is in for a service or MOT, they won’t check this and you will need to ask them specifically to do it for you.
We’ve written a lot of articles on common problems with the Citroen DS3 – so if you are experiencing issues, or want to learn more, check out some of our other content!
A guide to the best engine oil for your Citroen DS3
Citroen DS3 – Engine Fault, Repair Needed
Citroen DS3 Heater Blower not Working
Citroen DS3 Clutch Replacement Cost
Citroen DS3 1.2 PureTech Engine Problems
Common Faults with the Citroen DS3
Citroen DS3 vs Peugeot 208 – Used Car Buying GuideÂ
Citroen C1 Life Expectancy – How long will it last?
How much is a clutch for a Citroen C1?
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.
HI kindly advise what colour anti freeze and what mixture should be used for Citroen DS3 e-hdi diesel 1600,,, 2014 model. Vin VF7SA9HPKDW618181,,, km today 23 Feb 2023 is 90735
Also it was serviced Aug 22, anti freeze is now straw colour and has dropped from Max to Min, is that a problem to drop so much? and discolour so much in 6 months,,, what drop in Antifreeze is acceptable and how often should it be checked,,, Bosch service centre has topped up with red instead of green? As per other after warrantee French car service manager it should be grern. Does the mixing of 2 dif Anti-freeze colours become a sludge that is bad for your engine? Should it be drained and flushed now?
Can you please supply Exact brands of OIL, for enjine, gearbox, power steering oil and brake fluid, that my DS was filled with when brand New? How much fluid in liters for all of the above oils? Should system be flushed and with what before any oil change?,,,
When should the cambelt be replaced together with water pump and does it necessatates 4 seal changes including those on enjin as well?
My gbox side shaft seal leaks since 2/3rd service under warrantee,,,Citroen said I should check it out, but it lands on the plate, so I did not see any leak, so at its last service I remembered,,, and they never mentioned it again at any service before it was out of warrantee,,, so have been taken for a ride,,, and surely they have put in too much gear oil at its early services, which has put too much pressure on the seals,,,? Should a side shaft seal replacement Always include the side shaft to be replaced itself? as it might have ridges,,,, and leak again even with new seal? Otherwise no explanation why a brand new car will have such an issue from it’s 2nd or 3rd service,, when I asked for the job card they “could not Find” it
Your detailed feedback will be appreciated,,,
WHERE ARE YOU SITUATED??
Thx
PAT
Thanks for your comment. A lot of information here – so I’ll try and be as brief as possible.
Antifreeze should be OAT. This is usually red/pink. You shouldn’t go by the colour – go by the type. I ran the exact same engine as you in a Peugeot 208 for three years – it is an OAT antifreeze. Don’t put anything else in. If you’re not sure – drain and flush it with OAT coolant you can get from Halfords (but make sure you bleed the system up properly to prevent any airlocks)
Oil is 5W-30. Citroen/Peugeot recommend Total. Gearbox is 75W-80/75W-90 – I would use Total or Mobil. Believe the power steering is electric on these and not hydrauliic – so no oil. Brake fluid should be DOT 4.
On these the cambelt/water pump change is 112,500 miles or ten years. I wouldn’t wait that long – I’d do it at about 75,000 miles / 7 years. You should not need to change any seals.
Driveshaft seal is an issue I’ve come across a couple of times on these cars. I highly doubt the gear oil has been touched at servicing because these gearboxes are supposed to be sealed for life so the dealer won’t change the oil unless you specifically ask (and pay) for it. They probably wouldn’t even check the gearbox unless there was a visible leak to be honest (either oil dripping on the floor or noticeable oil staining on the box itself). These gearboxes take 1.9L of gear oil – and you fill them up from a filler plug on the side, which overflows when it’s full – so it’s difficult to overfill these gearboxes even if you are changing the gear oil.
Hope this helps – let me know if you’ve got any more questions.
Hi Marcus
Thanx for such detailed feedback,,, sorry for not replying,, I’m in SA cape Town,,, DS3 out of country, even dealers mess up so don’t have a trustworthy place to take DS3 and ask these questions. I specifically asked them to top up gear oil as the side shafts both leak and I could feel gears a bit stiff,,, but after oil replacment gears much smoother. So have to keep an eye and top up all the time, as this time around it is timing belt plus service for DS3’s(year 8)early 2014 model
To also do sideshafts now, is going to be very expensive
I suppose OAT is the brand of Antifreeze you are referring to,? don’t think it is available here,,, why would the Antifreeze drop to low mark,,, it is actually still on full after feb23 refill,,, was serviced Aug 2022 but had a straw colour ,,,so they must have used that or it is due to mixing dif colours,,, also the start stop did not work, so we replaced old bat with a new AGM battery,,, there was an error code but they could sort it out,,, it worked in town and long distance, but now only long distance,,, At service these error codes came up F5FF(unexpected reinitialisation fault coming from the built in systems interface BSI, C98A(engine relay unit fault right front side light) ,, C99B(engine fuse box left front side lamp fault, the guy has resettled it but the start stop still did not work, then he plugged the tester in again and then it worked in town and on distance driving immed after service,,, could there be something wrong with the altinator,, or that driving too short distances/speed in town? What kind of break pads should be used as it is shreeking since service,,, should original disc’s be used,,, how should ond fit the rim Ds3 insert, as the place where tyres was rotated dropped the tyre and it became loose, they just inserted again and it was lost whilst driving,,, now they have replaced it, but we are not sure if silicone or another adhesive should be used,,,
Will appreciate your feedback, as I value your feedback very much,,, it is a super little car, and would like to keep it going as long as we can.
Regards
Pat