Engine knock on Citroën: causes by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Citroën models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechOil-bath timing belt degradationThe oil-bath belt on the 1.2 PureTech (2012-2025) can swell and shed debris that blocks the oil pump pick-up; without lubrication, the engine can be destroyed. Stellantis covers it up to 10 years or 180,000 km and asks for it to be changed every 100,000 km or 6 years.Repair (garage): €400–€800
In Berlingo II, Berlingo III, C-Elysée, C1 II, C3 II and C3 III and 8 more models
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
In Berlingo II, Berlingo III, C3 II, C3 III, C3 Aircross I and C3 Picasso and 6 more models
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTDV6 / SDV6Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shellsOn the TDV6/SDV6 in the Discovery 3 and 4, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, crankshaft failures have been documented caused by main bearing shells that are badly seated or that spin; the engine can seize and needs replacing or rebuilding.
In C5 II and C6
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0 HDiPremature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)The dual-mass flywheel fitted to the 2.0 HDi from 107/110 hp wears out sooner than expected, with more cases the more powerful the version. It causes vibration, knocking and noise, and if ignored it ends up damaging the clutch too.
In Berlingo II, C4 Picasso I and C5 II
- Medium severityFrequency: Rare2.2 HDiDual-mass flywheel wear, less frequent than on other HDi enginesThe 2.2 HDi has a dual-mass flywheel but, unlike smaller HDi engines such as the 1.6 HDi, fiches-auto does not document a chronic problem: very few cases in the tables consulted. Even so, it is a wear part: vibration and knocking are the signs to watch for before buying.
In C-Crosser, C5 I, C5 II, C6 and C8

By Citroën model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

Engine knock in a Citroën: what could it be?

In 20 models from Citroën there are 5 documented faults that cause this symptom (engine knock). The most important: oil-bath timing belt degradation, excessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failure and crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the cause and how to check for it.

Which Citroën models have the most faults with this symptom?

Citroën Berlingo II (3 faults), Citroën C5 II (3 faults), Citroën C6 (2 faults) and Citroën C3 II (2 faults).

Which Citroën engines cause it?

1.2 PureTech (2 faults), 2.0 HDi (1 fault), 2.2 HDi (1 fault) and TDV6 / SDV6 (1 fault).