Timing Belt Clinic: Peugeot 206 CC
Step-by-step guide to fitting a new cambelt and water pump.
For the 206 CC, Peugeot recommends that the timing belt should be renewed every 74,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first. As was the case with the 1.6-litre petrol model with 60,000 miles shown in this feature, if the vehicle’s maintenance history isn’t known, it’s wise to renew the cambelt regardless. The engine is an interference type, so collision between pistons and valves is highly likely if the belt lets go.
As the cambelt drives the water pump, and this is readily accessible while the belt is removed, it makes sense to renew the pump at the same time, even if it appears to be OK and is not leaking. This saves time and effort in the long run, particularly if the water pump should fail between timing belt changes.
The main steps outlined in this feature apply to our 1.6-litre car dating from 2003, but the general principles apply to other versions, including some variants of the 406. For specific technical details relating to other models, consult the manufacturer’s literature.
You can complete the job in a few hours, but allow a whole day to carry it out if you’re tackling it for the first time.
Preparation
You need to raise the front of the car and support it on axle stands, and remove the right-hand front wheel. From within the forward section of the wheelarch, the protective inner wing cover panel can be either removed or eased rearwards to give access to the cambelt/water pump.
For peace of mind, it is a good idea to install a complete belt kit, including a new tensioner assembly. Complete kits are available that also include the water pump and it is less costly to buy a kit rather than individual components.