If you want to cover a lot of miles, and you don’t want to spend a fortune on gas, a small diesel engine is the way to go. I have personally owned a 2020 Peugeot 2008 with the 1.5 HDi diesel engine and let me tell you, seeing that 4l/100km consumption figure is a blessing.
Doing good and really thorough research is key if you don’t want to end up in a money pit full of problems. This article will uncover all the common problems of the Peugeot 1.5 HDi engine, and I did the research myself before I bought my 2008. I talked to several Peugeot and Opel service technicians to bring you real information.
First, we are going to learn more about the basic specs of the 1.5 HDi engine, then we are going to learn more about the common Peugeot 1.5 HDi engine problems and learn which models have this engine. So, let’s get started.
Basic Peugeot 1.5 HDi Engine Specs
Now let’s first learn more about the 1.5 BlueHDi engine and see more about its specs and the numbers this engine produces.
For those who don’t know, this Peugeot engine is not in fact a Peugeot engine but it is an engine co-developed by PSA and Ford way back in 1998. This engine family is known as the DLD. And the engine we are talking about is the DLD-415.
What is interesting to note is that the 1.5L engine is derived from the 1.6L HDi and was added in 2018 to the lineup. The main difference between the two is the smaller bore of the 1.5L HDi. For those who don’t know, the bore is the size of the cylinder.
When it comes to the design, this engine is an inline-4 turbo diesel. The engine uses turbocharging in order to squeeze more power. What is worth noting is that there is an 8-valve version of this engine and a 16-valve version.
This engine also uses many contemporary technologies like common rail injection, DPF, EGR, as well as DEF in order to be Euro 6 compliant.
But here are the full specs of this engine.
- Configuration: inline-4
- Displacement: 1.5L
- Bore: 73.5 mm
- Stroke: 88.3
- Head Design: SOHC, 8 valves or DOHC 16 valves
- Turbo: Yes, Variable Geometry Turbo
- DPF: Yes
- Fuel Injection: Common Rail
- Horsepower: 74 – 128 hp
- Torque: 230 – 300 N-m (170 – 221 lb-ft)
Common Peugeot 1.5 HDi Engine Problems
Common problems with the Peugeot 1.5 HDi engine include:
- Timing Chain Problems
- Injector Failures
- Washers Under Injectors Need Replacing
- Clogged DPF
- Clogged EGR
- Turbocharger Failure
- Adblue Problems
We listed the common problems with the 1.5 HDi engine, now it is time to dive deeper into these issues and learn more about the circumstances they happen as well as the symptoms they make.
This is really crucial when it comes to this because this will give you the ability to become an expert on these issues and possibly avoid them. Which will save you thousands of dollars in the process. So, let’s discuss.
Timing Chain Problems
Timing chain problems are probably the most serious issue that this engine has. This engine implements a timing chain mechanism that is in charge of controlling the engine timing.
The timing for those who don’t know is basically the adjustment of the top end of the engine and the bottom end. They need to be perfectly timed out and one degree difference can result in engine damage. The valves and pistons will collide and ruin the engine in the process.
And this timing chain has to be replaced once the time has come. This is usually somewhere around 150,000 km.
Whenever the chain reaches this mileage, it will start to develop rattling noises that will be pretty annoying and also an indication that the chain has stretched and needs to be replaced.
That’s why you should never ignore this rattling noise because this means that the car needs to be serviced immediately.
This chain can also snap and ruin the engine because of a faulty vacuum pump. This is another very common issue with the timing chain on this 1.5 HDi engine.
Now let’s move on to the next Peugeot 1.5 HDi engine problems.
Injector Failures
Fuel Injector failures are also very common on these diesel engines. If you didn’t know, the 1.5 HDi uses common rail diesel injection.
This means that these engines use high-pressure diesel injection systems that have a limited lifespan.
Once they reach the end of the life cycle, they will start to malfunction. They can end clogged up or they can leak.
Both of these situations are bad and will cause many serious issues down the line. So, rebuilding them or replacing them is the key to solving the issue.
Washers Under Injectors Need Replacing
Another common problem when it comes to fuel injectors is their removal. Many owners are simply unaware that these injectors have washers that have to be serviced every 60,000 km.
Since owners do not do this service, the injectors will basically weld with the cylinder head, making the removal process a true pain.
Many mechanics even use brute force methods that ruin the injector completely in order to remove it. And all this because of simple washers that should be replaced.
Clogged DPF
Another very common problem on these 1.5 HDi engines is the issues with the DPF. The DPF is the diesel particulate filter and we’ve prepare a separate article on how to recognize signs of a blocked DPF.
This filter collects the soot over a certain period and when it gets full it has to be regenerated. This regeneration process is a special process when there is fuel injected into the exhaust and this ignites the soot that is collected into the DPF.
This regeneration process is done at highway speeds at higher RPMs. And many owners do not regenerate their DPF and this DPF ends up clogged. So, then it has to be manually cleaned or replaced. Which is very expensive.
Clogged EGR
Another big headache for this 1.5 HDi engine is the clogged EGR. So, what is EGR, and what does it do?
Well, the EGR is the exhaust gas recirculation valve. This is a special valve that recirculates some of the exhaust gasses and redirects them into the intake.
This EGR valve is a valve that opens and closes and allows these gasses to move. Whenever the valve does not work properly, you will experience loss of power, check engine light, and other strange symptoms.
The solution is to clean the EGR valve or if the EGR still malfunctions, you will have to replace it with a new one because that’s the only way to solve this problem.
Many people delete the EGR, but then you will fail the emissions testing, which is a downside to this mod.
Turbocharger Failure
Turbocharger failures were also noted on this engine. The turbo for those who don’t know is the component that helps the engine create more power.
Diesel engines are very slow by nature and they need a turbo in order to produce decent power. That’s why 99% of the diesel engines use turbo.
The downside of this is that the turbo is an expendable component that will fail when it reaches the end of the life cycle. The solution is to rebuild the turbo or replace it with a new unit, something that can be very expensive.
Adblue Problems
Problems were also reported with the Adblue, the Adblue is a special liquid used by the DEF system that injects this fluid to cool off the exhaust gasses, thus reducing pollution.
If you want to learn more about the Adblue system and it’s problems, make sure you checkout our guide to Adblue problems.
There is a special injector that injects this fluid and you also have a special Adblue fluid tank. What can happen is that the sensors can fail for this system and cause problems, also the fluid can leak and enter the sealed area of the tank where the electronics are located. Then it could short out the circuits and cause problems.
Usually, the most common symptom is the check engine light and different DTC codes concerning the Adblue.
Which Models Have The Peugeot 1.5 HDi Engine?
8-Valve 74 hp version
- 2018 – Present Peugeot Rifter/Partner
- 2018 – Present Citroen Berlingo III
- 2018 – Present Opel Combo E
16-Valve 101 hp version
- 2018 – Present Peugeot 2008
- 2019 – Present Opel Zafira Life
- 2018 – Present Peugeot Traveler/Citroen Spacetourer
- 2018 – Present Toyota ProAce
- 2018 – Present Peugeot Rifter/Partner
- 2018 – Present Citroen C-Elysee
- 2018 – Present Citroen C4 Cactus
- 2018 – Present Citroen Berlingo III
- 2018 – Present DS 3 Crossback
- 2018 – Present Opel Combo E
16-Valve 118 hp version
- 2018 – Present Peugeot 2008
- 2019 – Present Opel Zafira Life
- 2018 – Present Peugeot Traveler/Citroen Spacetourer
- 2018 – Present Citroen C4 Cactus
- 2018 – Present Toyota ProAce
16-valve 128 hp version
- 2017 – Present Peugeot 308 II
- 2018 – Present Peugeot 508 II
- 2018 – Present Peugeot Rifter/Partner
- 2018 – Present Citroen Berlingo III
- 2018 – Present DS 3 Crossback
- 2018 – Present Opel Combo E
- 2017 – Present Peugeot 3008 II
- 2017 – Present Peugeot 5008 II
- 2018 – Present Citroen C4 Spacetourer
- 2018 – Present Citroen C5 Aircross
- 2017 – Present DS7 Crossback
- 2018 – Present Opel Grandland
FAQ
What Are The Common Problems With The Peugeot 1.5 HDi Engine?
Common problems with the 1.5 HDi engine include issues with the EGR, DPF, and Adblue fluid. These are emission systems that often break down. There are also problems with injectors where they fail, there are also turbine failures, as well as timing chain rattling noises when the chain gets stretched.
Is The Peugeot 1.5 HDi Engine Reliable?
Yes, this engine is pretty reliable if maintained well. It’s a diesel after all and if you know diesel problems and know how to avoid them you will be good. Diesel problems usually are concerned with the EGR, DPF, injector failures, and turbo failures. All these problems are present on the 1.5 HDi.
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