Does not sound good.
1. I agree, several cases around the europe.
2. Im wondering if they loosened the pulley before retightening? If yes, they would need timing tools as engine looses timing when pulley is loosened. I did read here 20Nm + 170 Degrees is the torque for the bolt.
3. You dont necessary need new engine, just have them remove the cyl head and inspect the valves. We just opened one with loose pulley and all valves were straight. If valves are bent, replace and reinstall the head. (also you could check if your old engine might be repairable)
4. I did 2 first repairs by removing timing cover and oil pan, now with 3rd one in trying to perform the work without removing them, it may work but im not 100% sure yet, much easier if i can. This one had 6 exhaust valves in pieces.
Thanks for the comment. During the initial repair, I used a new engine because of the cost—it was cheaper than the replacement parts for the old one. The plan is to try to repair the original engine, which I have stored in the garage, and then swap it out for the current one. As for the parts, it’s just as you say—hopefully we can stay under 1,500 EUR (the valves are broken and at least two pistons are bent). The key question, though, is whether this will be enough (assuming the mechanical work is done correctly, of course) :/. Is there any need for further intervention on the control unit—sensor pairing, calibration, etc.? As I’ve discovered, this is a major problem—no one knows how to do it, no one wants to do it, and they refer me to an authorized service center for access to the Stellantis manuals.
In hindsight, I realized that the mechanic actually didn’t need to tighten that pulley on the second engine, because it was part of the new engine—but the timing belt had to be adjusted because the original P1f starter-generator was connected to the new block. He definitely used a valve setting tool, though. Apparently, the engine ran at idle all day; the problem occurred again only while driving, when the engine started at low speed (approx. 16 km/h) and that was the end of it.
