031 943 9999
Open: 8:00AM - 5:00PM | Sat: 8:30AM - 12:30PM
Pro Citroen Spares
Stocked

Citroen Timing Chains for Sale in South Africa

Citroen timing chains for sale in South Africa at aftermarket and OEM prices. Get a cost estimate from trusted SA suppliers — free quote, fast delivery nationwide.

Aftermarket components — not produced by the original vehicle manufacturer

Speak to a Tech
Trusted Aftermarket Spares
Dispatched in 24-48h
Citroen Expertise
Backed by Warranty
Timing Chains for Citroen vehicles

Citroen Timing Chains by Model

Pick your Citroen model below to see timing chains matched to your vehicle.

Part of our full range of Citroen Engine Parts.

Citroen C3 - Timing Chains

Citroen C3

Fast Moving

Timing Chains for C3 hatchback

By some margin the most common Citroen on South African roads. The C3 spans the French-built cars sold here before 2016 and the India-built PureTech model that relaunched the brand locally, so suspension bushes, body panels and 1.2 three-cylinder engine parts are our fastest-moving lines.
Segment:
hatchback Top Priority
C3 Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C4 - Timing Chains

Citroen C4

Fast Moving

Timing Chains for C4 hatchback

The 2004-2010 C4 hatch and saloon sold steadily here and a good number are still running. Owners come to us mostly for EP6 petrol ancillaries, suspension components and the electrical modules that give trouble as these cars age.
Segment:
hatchback Top Priority
C4 Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C3 Aircross - Timing Chains

Citroen C3 Aircross

Fast Moving

Timing Chains for C3 Aircross crossover

Launched here in the 2019 relaunch and now old enough to need parts. The tall, boxy crossover body means bumpers, lights and roof fittings are common requests alongside the usual PureTech service items.
Segment:
crossover Top Priority
C3 Aircross Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen DS3 - Timing Chains

Citroen DS3

Fast Moving

Timing Chains for DS3 hatchback

Sold as a Citroen here before DS split into its own marque, the DS3 is a premium supermini with a strong following. The 1.6 THP turbo cars in particular keep us busy with timing chain kits, turbo parts and trim pieces that are hard to find new.
Segment:
hatchback Top Priority
DS3 Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C4 Cactus - Timing Chains

Citroen C4 Cactus

Fast Moving

Timing Chains for C4 Cactus crossover

A 2016 South African Car of the Year finalist that arrived just as Citroen was leaving the market, so the local run was short. Those distinctive ribbed Airbump side panels are the single most requested body part we handle for it.
Segment:
crossover Top Priority
C4 Cactus Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C2 - Timing Chains

Citroen C2

Fast Moving

Timing Chains for C2 hatchback

A small three-door city car from the mid-2000s. Survivors are thin on the ground now, which is exactly why owners struggle to find parts through normal channels and end up phoning us.
Segment:
hatchback Top Priority
C2 Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen Berlingo - Timing Chains

Citroen Berlingo

In Demand

Timing Chains for Berlingo van

The long-running Berlingo panel van and leisure activity vehicle did steady trade work in South Africa. Hard-working vehicles wear out clutches, suspension and sliding-door gear, and diesel owners come to us for HDi injection and turbo parts.
Segment:
van Steady Demand
Berlingo Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C1 - Timing Chains

Citroen C1

In Demand

Timing Chains for C1 hatchback

A tiny city car sold here in small numbers. Low volume means franchised parts support dried up quickly, so used and aftermarket components are usually the only realistic route.
Segment:
hatchback Steady Demand
C1 Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C4 Picasso - Timing Chains

Citroen C4 Picasso

In Demand

Timing Chains for C4 Picasso mpv

A five-seat MPV with a panoramic windscreen and a lot of glass, which is where most enquiries start. The 2.0 HDi cars also bring steady demand for DPF, EGR and injection parts.
Segment:
mpv Steady Demand
C4 Picasso Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen C5 - Timing Chains

Citroen C5

In Demand

Timing Chains for C5 sedan

The large executive C5 was never a volume seller here, but the ones still on the road need parts that nobody stocks locally. Hydraulic suspension components and diesel ancillaries are the usual requests.
Segment:
sedan Steady Demand
C5 Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso - Timing Chains

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

In Demand

Timing Chains for Grand C4 Picasso mpv

The seven-seat version of the C4 Picasso, bought by families who now need third-row trim, rear suspension parts and the electrical modules that control all that seating.
Segment:
mpv Steady Demand
Grand C4 Picasso Timing Chains
Shop
Citroen DS5 - Timing Chains

Citroen DS5

In Demand

Timing Chains for DS5 hatchback

A low-slung premium fastback sold in small numbers before the DS split. Parts are genuinely scarce through official channels, so most owners end up sourcing used or aftermarket.
Segment:
hatchback Steady Demand
DS5 Timing Chains
Shop

Displaying 12 of 22 Citroen models

What Are Timing Chains?

A timing chain does the same job as a timing belt — keeping the crankshaft and camshafts in step — but it is presented as a lifetime component rather than a scheduled one. On Citroen that means the 1.6 VTi and THP petrols, the engines developed jointly with BMW. In practice "lifetime" turns out to depend heavily on oil, because the chain tensioner is hydraulic and runs on engine oil pressure. Neglect the oil and the tensioner cannot take up slack, the chain runs loose, and the guides wear. The warning is unmistakable and it is worth knowing: a rattle from the front of the engine lasting one to three seconds on a cold start.

Signs You Need New Timing Chains

A one to three second rattle from the front of the engine on a cold start
That rattle becoming longer and louder over a few weeks
An engine lamp with a camshaft and crankshaft correlation code
A loss of power, or running that has gone rough and uneven
Plastic fragments from the chain guides found in the oil filter or sump
A timing-out-of-range fault reported on a diagnostic scan

Related Parts Categories

Looking for something else? Browse related Citroen parts categories.

Camshafts

Cam profiles matched to the engine code so valve timing stays where it should on PureTech, THP and HDi units

 Crankshafts

New and reground crankshafts for the Citroen petrol and diesel range, with main and big-end shells sized to suit

 Pistons

Pistons, rings and gudgeon pins in standard and oversize for rebuilds on Citroen petrol and diesel engines

 Connecting Rods

Con rods and rod bearings that carry the load between piston and crank on Citroen petrol and diesel engines alike

 Valves

Inlet and exhaust valves, plus guides, stems and springs, for Citroen cylinder heads due a rebuild

 Cylinder Heads

Bare, dressed and reconditioned cylinder heads across the Citroen petrol and diesel engine families

 Engine Blocks

Bare blocks and crankcase castings for the Citroen range, for when the bottom end is past saving

 Timing Belts

Belt kits covering belt, tensioner and idlers for the belt-driven HDi diesels and older Citroen petrol units
View All Parts Categories →

Available Across South Africa

We deliver timing chains to cities and towns across all 9 provinces.

Timing Chains in Johannesburg

Gauteng

 Timing Chains in Pretoria

Gauteng

 Timing Chains in Soweto

Gauteng

 Timing Chains in Sandton

Gauteng

 Timing Chains in Cape Town

Western Cape

 Timing Chains in Bellville

Western Cape

 Timing Chains in Durban

KwaZulu-Natal

 Timing Chains in Pietermaritzburg

KwaZulu-Natal
View All Delivery Areas →

Common Questions About Timing Chains

Why does my Citroen rattle on cold start?

On the 1.6 VTi and THP engines, a rattle from the front of the engine lasting one to three seconds after a cold start is the textbook sign of chain stretch and a tensioner that can no longer take up the slack. Do not wait to see whether it gets worse — it will. Every week it runs raises the chance of the chain jumping a tooth and the valves meeting the pistons.

How much does a Citroen timing chain replacement cost?

It is a major job: the chain, the guides, the tensioner and usually the sprockets all get replaced together, and the front of the engine has to come apart to reach them. South African workshops price it by model and engine. Ask through our form with your engine code for a local figure — and get it before the rattle becomes a rebuild, because the difference is substantial.

Which Citroen engines have timing chain problems?

The 1.6 VTi and the turbocharged 1.6 THP — the EP6 family Citroen developed with BMW — are the ones with a reputation for early chain stretch, and they appear across the C3, C4 and C5 ranges. The belt-driven engines are a separate matter entirely: the TU petrols and the HDi diesels use a timing belt on a fixed interval, and the turbocharged PureTech uses a belt that runs in oil.

Can a stretched Citroen timing chain cause engine damage?

Yes, and it is the reason we are firm about the cold-start rattle. A badly stretched chain eventually jumps a tooth on a sprocket, at which point the camshafts and the crankshaft are no longer synchronised and the pistons meet open valves. That is bent valves at best and a rebuild at worst. At the first persistent rattle, stop driving the car and book it in.

How often should a Citroen timing chain be replaced?

The manufacturer position is that it lasts the life of the engine. Real-world 1.6 VTi and THP engines show stretch from as early as 50,000 to 80,000 km where servicing has been neglected. Our advice is to have it inspected around 80,000 km regardless, and to act immediately on any cold-start rattle whatever the odometer says — mileage is a poor predictor here, oil history is a good one.

What oil should I use to prevent timing chain stretch?

A full synthetic 5W-30 meeting the manufacturer specification for your engine, changed every 10,000 km without exception. This matters more than any other service item on these engines, because the chain tensioner is hydraulic and depends entirely on clean oil at pressure to hold the chain taut. The wrong grade, or a stretched interval, is the single biggest cause of early chain failure we see.

Learn More About Timing Chains

Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI SA)

Find an RMI-accredited engine specialist for timing chain work.

HonestJohn — Citroen Reliability

Owner reports on 1.6 THP and VTi timing chain issues.

AA South Africa

Mechanical guidance and roadside support for South African motorists.

Struggling to Find the Correct Timing Chains?

Our Citroen parts advisors can cross-reference your VIN or engine code to pinpoint exactly what you need.

Call the Parts Desk on 031 943 9999