Hi All - it's been a while since my last posting as I've been busy with work and such and not really had much time to post. So - I thought I'd better let you know about a few problems I've been experiencing since 2008/9 New Year.
I guess it all started from new really... I experienced a dashboard Coolant Level warning light illumination. When I took it to my (not so) local SEAT Dealer - Ted Johnson in Barnsley. They replaced the Coolant Tank explaining that the Level Sensor had a known problem and replacing the Tank cured the problem. Upon replacement they asked whether I had need to refill/top-up the Tank - I had and used the appropriate fluid (G12?) one thing I noticed when refilling was the Coolant was very dark, as if dirty! Ted Johnson also commented upon the state of the Coolant. The problem of the Warning Light was cured temporarily...
I had a problem which was posted just after New Year 2008/9 with the Car not reaching anything like temperature - I suspected a thermostat problem, I was experiencing problems with the DPF also as the Car wasn't getting warm enough to turn the burn off cycle. The Coolant Level Warning Light re-lit. I returned the Car to Ted Johnson - they seemed to point the problems at the dirty coolant.
They identified a problem in manufacture (info from SEAT) that on this batch of engines they had a manufacturing problem - an engine block Oilway hole had been drilled too large thereby allowing Oil to seep through into the Waterway contaminating the Coolant. They had the car for almost 2 weeks - stripping down the engine to rectify the problem. Upon collection I was told the car had been on a road test and everything was operating normally. Upon my drive home I thought the temperature was taking a while to get to the nominal 90 degrees and the engine note was notably louder. The following day I popped the bonnet to discover all the engine cover trim was loose and falling about - the grille/air intake trim was broken and the top half was actually missing. I then investigated further - the tops of the wings were scratched (personel leaning over) two decent size scratches on the OSR door. A an large dent NSF Sill as if the car had been dropped off a jack or suchlike. I was a bit mad...
Ted Johnson was the first place I visited that morning to tell my tale of woes... another three days and the car was returned to me - all the wing scratches polished out (just!) and explanations of previous damage being done. All of which (in my opinion) was rubbish - I clean the car everyweek by hand and I know every chip and stone fleck on the car! No-way was it me!!
As I drove home the car was again not reaching temperature - I returned the car to Tod Johnson again - they eventually tracked the problem down to a sticking thermostat - my original diagnosis!!!
OK - I notice the car has begun to have an intermitent hesitation in acceleration power between 3000-3500 rpm. Possibly happens 12 times a week (I drive about 800 miles/week) I am beginning to loose patince with Ted Johnsons apparent lack of Customer Service by lack of proper refitting trim etc.
Since February the problem is beginning to get progressively worse - the hesitation has now resulted in the car illuminating the Glow Plug/ECU light and going to Limp Home mode 3 times! The AA (SEAT Recovery) have not been able to identify a problem (apart from a non-connection of Rocker Breather to Crankcase catch causing lots of engine bay smoke - and a loose Vaccum Pipe apparently linked to Turbo Solenoid. This has happened 2 more times - both rendering the car into Limp Mode - both times SEAT have been unable to detect a problem despite being towed by the AA back to Ted Johson with the engine running to be able to identify a fault with the Glow Plug / ECO Warning Light lit!!!
The last time it did this they downloaded new software (they say) and reset parameters but could not replicate the problem under normal driving (my a**e!).
I curious as to why and if anyone else is experiencing this problem? I becoming quickly fed-up of my LEON and longing for the reliability of my Skoda's (both VRS's) as company cars. Despite one having the same engine - the LEON seems to lack the consistant reliability of the Skoda unit.
Your thoughts / opinions appreciated!!!
Steve
![[:@]](/forums/styles/seatcupra/oldforumsmileys/furious.gif "Furious [:@]")
