Why Is My Peugeot 208 Burning Oil?

Owning a Peugeot 208 should feel like a pleasant, low-maintenance experience—but if you’re suddenly topping up oil more often than expected, something’s clearly off. Oil consumption is one of those issues that creeps up silently, and if left unchecked, it can turn a sweet-running hatchback into a repair nightmare.

In this guide, we’ll explore why your Peugeot 208 might be burning oil, how serious it is, and what you can do to stop it. We’ll talk engines, symptoms, fixes, and real-world advice. So, let’s pop the bonnet and get into it.

Understanding Oil Consumption in the Peugeot 208

Before diagnosing the problem, we need to understand what’s “normal.”

Normal vs. Excessive Oil Usage

All engines consume some oil—especially small, high-revving petrol and diesel units like the 1.2 PureTech or 1.6 BlueHDi found in the 208.

• Normal: Up to 0.5 L per 1,000 miles can be acceptable.
• Excessive: More than 1 L per 1,000 miles signals trouble.

How Oil Gets Burned

Oil may enter the combustion chamber through:

• Worn piston rings or cylinder walls
• Leaking valve stem seals
• Faulty turbo seals (on turbocharged versions)
• PCV system issues causing oil vapour ingestion

When this happens, oil burns along with the fuel—creating blue smoke, foul exhaust smells, and a steadily dropping dipstick level.

Common Causes of Oil Burning in the Peugeot 208

Let’s unpack the most frequent culprits behind oil loss and burning in this French supermini.

1.2 PureTech Engine – The Known Suspect

The 1.2-litre PureTech engine (used from 2012 onward) is notorious for timing belt degradation. The belt runs “wet,” lubricated by engine oil.
Over time, the rubber particles contaminate the oil, clogging the oil pump strainer, and causing premature wear—leading to oil consumption and low pressure warnings.

Symptoms include:

• High oil usage
• Oil pressure faults on the dashboard
• Rattling noise from the engine
• Timing belt debris in the oil filter

Solution: Replace the wet timing belt and flush the system thoroughly. Peugeot recommends replacement every 60,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first.

Worn Piston Rings or Cylinder Walls

This is classic old-school engine wear. When the piston rings can no longer seal properly, oil slips past and burns with the air-fuel mixture.

Tell-tale signs:

• Blue smoke under acceleration
• Poor compression
• High oil usage without visible leaks

Repair: Replacing piston rings is a major job—expect £1,000-£2,000 depending on labour rates.

Valve Stem Seal Deterioration

When valve seals harden or crack, they allow oil to drip into the combustion chamber overnight.

Watch for:

• Blue smoke on startup
• Slight misfire when cold
• Gradual oil loss

Fix: Valve stem seal replacement requires head removal but can save your engine from further wear.

Turbocharger Seal Leaks

If you own a 1.2 PureTech Turbo or 1.6 BlueHDi, the turbo seals may leak oil into the intake system.

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Indications include:

• Oily residue inside the intake hose
• Smoke under acceleration
• Whistling turbo noise

Repair Tip: Check intercooler and hoses—if soaked in oil, your turbo may be failing.

PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) Malfunction

A clogged or damaged PCV valve can cause oil vapours to be drawn into the intake manifold.

Quick check:

• Inspect the PCV valve for blockage or sludge.
• Replace if oil traces appear inside air intake tubing.

External Leaks That Mimic Burning

Sometimes the oil isn’t burning—it’s just escaping. Look around the engine block and sump for:

• Leaking rocker cover gasket
• Dripping oil filter housing
• Cracked sump pan

If the leak drips onto hot components, you’ll smell burning oil even without internal consumption.

Engine-Specific Troubles in the Peugeot 208

Each engine variant in the 208 lineup has its quirks.

1.0 VTi / 1.2 VTi (Non-Turbo)

• Prone to valve cover leaks
• PCV diaphragm failures
• Moderate oil burning at high mileage

1.2 PureTech (Turbo and Non-Turbo)

• Wet belt deterioration
• Oil pump strainer clogging
• Chain tensioner oil starvation

1.6 BlueHDi Diesel

• Turbo oil line blockages
• Oil leaks near DPF sensors
• Breather system overpressure

1.6 THP (GTi models)

• Known for carbon buildup on valves
• Turbo oil feed leaks
• Piston ring wear from high boost

How to Diagnose Oil Burning on a Peugeot 208

Diagnosing oil consumption isn’t just guesswork—here’s a roadmap to follow.

Step 1 – Measure Oil Level Properly

• Warm up the engine
• Wait five minutes after shutdown
• Pull the dipstick, wipe, re-insert, then check
  If you’re losing more than 0.5 L per 1,000 miles, something’s up.

Step 2 – Inspect for Blue Smoke

• Blue exhaust smoke = oil burning
• White smoke = coolant
• Black smoke = fuel-rich mixture

Step 3 – Check for Leaks

Examine engine bay, undertray, and drive for oil spots. A UV dye kit can help pinpoint leaks.

Step 4 – Inspect the Air Intake

Remove the air filter housing and intake pipe—if they’re oily, suspect PCV or turbo leaks.

Step 5 – Compression or Leak-Down Test

Low compression often confirms piston ring or valve issue. Mechanics can test this easily.

Preventing Future Oil Burning

Prevention saves engines—and wallets.

Use Correct Oil Specification

The Peugeot 208 requires high-quality oil meeting PSA B71 2290 (for petrol) or B71 2296 (for diesel) standards.
Avoid cheap oils that degrade quickly; they can worsen belt and seal wear.

Stick to Shorter Oil Change Intervals

Forget the 20,000 km factory recommendation. Change oil every 10,000 km (6,000 miles), especially for the 1.2 PureTech.

Replace the Timing Belt Early

Wet belts should be replaced early—ideally by 60,000 miles. Waiting longer risks engine failure.

Monitor Oil Level Regularly

Check monthly or every 1,000 miles. Always top up with the correct viscosity (usually 5W-30 synthetic).

DIY Fixes and Temporary Measures

If your 208 burns oil mildly, a few smart tweaks can buy time before major repairs.

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High-Mileage Engine Oils

Thicker, high-mileage formulations help reduce seepage past rings and seals.

PCV Valve Cleaning

Remove and clean your PCV valve using brake cleaner—this simple step can cure minor oil consumption.

Engine Flushes

Use with caution. If sludge or debris clogging is suspected, gentle flushing can restore oil flow—but overdoing it can loosen too much grime at once.

When to Seek Professional Help

Don’t wait for the oil warning light to flash. Visit a Peugeot specialist if you notice:

• Blue smoke or burning smell
• Oil warning alerts
• Noisy engine (rattles, knocks)
• Oil level dropping despite top-ups

A qualified technician can check compression, borescope cylinders, or test turbo seals before things escalate.

Estimated Repair Costs (UK Reference)

The Consequences of Ignoring Oil Burning

Oil burning might seem minor—until it’s not.

• Low oil pressure: Starves bearings and cams.
• Catalytic converter damage: Oil ash clogs the catalyst.
• Turbo failure: Insufficient lubrication causes shaft seizure.
• Complete engine failure: If oil runs dry, your 208’s engine could seize entirely.

So yes, those £10 bottles of oil can prevent a £2,000 catastrophe.

Real-World Owner Experiences

“My 208 Eats Oil Like Crazy”

Many PureTech owners on forums report needing to top up every 800–1,000 miles—especially before timing belt service.

“Blue Smoke After Idling”

A common sign of worn valve seals or turbo oil leaks, typically after long traffic stops.

“Oil Pressure Fault – Stop the Vehicle”

This dreaded dashboard message is usually linked to sludge buildup from wet belt particles clogging the oil pump.

Maintenance Habits That Keep Your 208 Healthy

Let’s talk prevention again—because good habits cost nothing compared to repairs.

• Warm the engine before hard driving.
• Use manufacturer-approved oil filters.
• Avoid cheap fuel; poor combustion worsens oil fouling.
• Schedule a professional inspection every 12 months.

Peugeot 208 Oil Specs Reference Table

The Bottom Line

If your Peugeot 208 is burning oil, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Whether it’s worn seals, a failing turbo, or the infamous wet belt, early action saves money and engine life.

Keep your servicing up to date, use the right oil, and get familiar with your dipstick. Small habits today can spare you from a seized engine tomorrow.

Final Thoughts

Every car tells a story through its oil. When your 208 starts asking for more than usual, it’s not being needy—it’s signalling something deeper. Listen, act, and you’ll keep that French hatch running smooth and efficient for years to come.

FAQs

1. How much oil consumption is normal for a Peugeot 208?

Up to 0.5 L per 1,000 miles is acceptable. Anything above that indicates a leak or internal burning issue.

2. Why does my Peugeot 208 smoke blue when accelerating?

That’s classic oil burning, often caused by worn piston rings or turbo seal leaks.

3. Can I keep driving if my 208 burns oil?

Yes, but keep the oil topped up. Ignoring it could lead to engine failure or catalyst damage.

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4. Is the 1.2 PureTech engine unreliable because of this issue?

It’s reliable if serviced properly and if the wet timing belt is replaced on time. Neglect causes oil contamination and damage.

5. What oil should I use to reduce burning?

Stick with 5W-30 fully synthetic PSA B71 2290-approved oil. It’s designed for optimal protection in PureTech engines.

If you want to know other articles similar to Why Is My Peugeot 208 Burning Oil? you can visit the category Common Problems.