Peugeot 406 engines

The Peugeot 406 established itself as the French brand's mid-range flagship from 1995 to 2004, offering an impressive Peugeot 406 engine range over two generations. The technological development from the early atmospheric engines to the modern HDI diesels reflects the transformation of the automotive industry.

Peugeot 406 engines: Generation I (1995-1999)

The first Peugeot 406 generation was characterized by proven French engineering and offered a solid basis for the middle class. The mileage varied considerably depending on the engine type: while the robust diesel engines easily reached 350,000 to 450,000 kilometers with proper maintenance, the petrol engines often required major repairs to the cylinder head gasket or valve clearance between 200,000 and 300,000 kilometers. The absolute top engine of this generation was the 2.1 TD with 109 hp, which optimally combined power, reliability and economy. Typical repair intervals for petrol engines were every 150,000 km for major maintenance, while diesels often only required major repairs after 250,000 km. Compared to German competitors such as the BMW 5 Series or Audi A6, the Peugeot 406 scored points with lower maintenance costs, but had to accept compromises in terms of build quality.

Peugeot 406 petrol engines: Generation I (1995-1999)

The Peugeot 406 petrol engine range mainly comprised atmospheric engines from the XU series. The entry-level engine was a 1.6-liter with 65 kW (88 hp), which proved to be economical but underpowered. More popular was the 1.8-liter with 81 kW (110 hp), which offered a good balance between performance and consumption. The top-of-the-range Peugeot 406 engines were the 2.0-liter with 97 kW (132 hp) and the rare 3.0 V6 with 142 kW (194 hp). These early Peugeot 406 petrol engines suffered from typical problems of the 1990s: cylinder head gaskets tended to fail after 180,000 km, the valve clearance adjustment required regular checks and the water pumps often showed their first signs of weakness after 120,000 km. The V6 engine was considered to be the most problematic drive with frequent problems with the complex electronics and high repair costs.

Peugeot 406 diesel engines: Generation I (1995-1999)

The Peugeot 406 diesels were initially dominated by the tried-and-tested 1.9 TD with 66 kW (90 hp), which was characterized by extreme durability. The highlight, however, was the 2.1 TD with 80 kW (109 hp), which was considered the most reliable engine of the entire first generation. These Peugeot 406 diesel engines of the XUD series were practically indestructible: mileages of over 400,000 km were not uncommon, and even with neglected maintenance they continued to run. Typical weaknesses were limited to injection pumps wearing out after 300,000 km and occasional problems with the pre-glow system. The Peugeot 406 1.9 TD became the favorite of frequent drivers and cab operators, as it was extremely economical with a fuel consumption of only 6.5 liters per 100 km.

Peugeot 406 engines: Generation II (1999-2004)

The second Peugeot 406 generation marked the transition to modern diesel technology and introduced the revolutionary HDI technology. The mileage of the diesels remained excellent at 300,000 to 400,000 kilometers, while the petrol engines became more reliable thanks to more modern technology and now regularly reached 250,000 to 350,000 kilometers. The absolute highlight was the 2.2 HDI with 136 hp - a technical masterpiece with common-rail injection that perfectly combined power, efficiency and smooth running. For the first time, Peugeot also offered a diesel engine with a particulate filter, making the 406 a pioneer in environmental technology. The repair intervals were significantly extended: petrol engines only required major maintenance after 200,000 km, diesel engines only after 300,000 km. Compared to the competition, the Peugeot 406 positioned itself as a technological pioneer, especially in diesel technology.

Peugeot 406 petrol engines: Generation II (1999-2004)

The revised Peugeot 406 petrol engine range retained the proven displacement variants, but received more modern engine control and improved materials. The 1.8-liter with 81 kW (110 hp) remained as the basic engine, while the 2.0-liter now produced 100 kW (136 hp). A revised version of the 3.0 V6 with 152 kW (207 hp) was added. These later Peugeot 406 petrol engines showed significantly fewer problems than their predecessors: the cylinder head gaskets now usually lasted up to 250,000 km and the electronics proved to be more reliable. The Peugeot 406 2.0 16V developed into the most balanced petrol engine with good performance and acceptable reliability, while the V6 continued to be problematic but was less susceptible than the early version.

Peugeot 406 diesel engines: Generation II (1999-2004)

The revolution came with HDI technology: the Peugeot 406 2.0 HDI with 66 kW (90 hp) and later 79 kW (110 hp) as well as the top-of-the-range 2.2 HDI engine with 100 kW (136 hp) set new standards. These Peugeot 406 HDI engines had modern common-rail injection, which ensured significantly quieter running and better power delivery. The old 2.1 TD continued to run in parallel and remained the most reliable engine, but the HDI variants offered more comfort with only slightly higher susceptibility. The Peugeot 406 2.2 HDI proved to be the best compromise between performance, consumption and reliability - it offered 136 hp with only 5.8 liters of fuel consumption and regularly achieved mileages of over 350,000 km. Typical HDI problems were limited to occasional high-pressure pump failures after 200,000 km and problems with the injectors on low-grade fuels.

Conclusion: The best Peugeot 406 engines of all generations

The development of the Peugeot 406 engines clearly shows Peugeot's strengths in diesel technology - while the French brand often lagged behind its German competitors when it came to petrol engines, the diesel units set standards for reliability and efficiency. The introduction of HDI technology revolutionized the diesel world and made Peugeot a pioneer of modern compression-ignition technology. The longevity of the Peugeot 406 diesel engines is particularly remarkable, and even after more than 20 years they are still regarded as a reference for reliable drive systems.

• Best Peugeot 406 gasoline engine:

The 2.0 16V (136 hp, Generation II) offers the best combination of performance, reliability and suitability for everyday use among the gasoline engines.

• Best Peugeot 406 diesel engine:

The 2.2 HDI (136 hp, Generation II) combines modern common-rail technology with outstanding reliability and low fuel consumption - a milestone in diesel technology.

• Most reliable Peugeot 406 engine:

The 2.1 TD (109 hp) from both generations is considered practically indestructible and regularly achieves over 400,000 km mileage with minimal repair costs.

For maintenance and spare parts for all Peugeot 406 generations, AUTODOC offers a comprehensive range of original and quality spare parts with fast delivery and expert advice for these classics of French automotive history.

Top products related to this topic:

• Car parts for Peugeot 406
• Engine oil for Peugeot 406
• Timing belt for Peugeot 406
• Oil filter for Peugeot 406
• Disc pads for Peugeot 406
• Car battery for Peugeot 406