Citroen C3 Owners

When changing the cam belt on a Citroen C3, it is recommended the full kit of parts is changed, that includes the idler, tensioner an the water-pump (here). Changing these additional parts is trivial while the timing belt if off but a time consuming job if tackled independently of the cam belt replacement.

Find the right timing belt kit of parts needed for your Citroen C3 here - at Euro Car Parts. Using ECP to locate the one you need by registration number can save a lot of time.


While the video shows the steps needed to change the timing belt on a Citroen C3 HDi engine, it doesn't give the full picture. You don't need to remove the engine to replace the cam belt with its associated kit of consumable parts. But it does make sense to change the timing belt if the engine has been removed. This is because access to the job is so much easier when the engine is out.

But most cam belt jobs will have the engine still in the car. so...

To complete the Citroen C3 Diesel cam belt change with the engine still in the car, your greatest problem will be access. The common rail oil burner is tightly wedged into it's engine bay making the video above look quick and easy, when in the real world, it is not that way.

Gaining the right amount of access is completed by firstly removing the offside inner arch as shown in the picture. Doing this will give you a much more clear access to the lower portion of the cam belt job.



The low pressure fuel connections restrict access to the engine mount and top part of the cam cover fixings.
Disconnect these and plug or cover them with plastic to prevent dirt ingress and fuel leaking out.



The offside engine mount needs removing to get access to the top portion of the cam belt cover. Support the engine weight from below while the mount is removed for the duration of the cam belt change.




With the inner arch removed it is now possible to remove the auxiliary belt and the TVD crank pulley This will reveal the lower section of the cam belt cover fixing screws, along with the crank sensor.




It should now be possible to follow the video above to replace the Citroen C3 Diesel cam belt