Problem with starting my Leon 1.8T

[Pablo99]

Don't know if anyone can help - I've an X-reg 1.8 20VT Leon and it struggles to start in cold/wet weather - ignition seems ok but the tick-over seems like it is about to stall.

The first mile of driving is disasterous - I bunny hop down the road above 2,000 rpm.

On the motorway, most noticeably in 5th and 6th, car stutters before accelerating away - and it doesn't feel like the turbo is kicking in properly. In 3rd, the turbo only seemed to operate like it used to when I go above 5,000 rpm.

I've read lots on the forums about the coils - my Seat garage ran a diagnostic, couldn't find anything wrong and suggested they "try" and change all four coils, at £200 + labour! Does it sound like I have the duff coils, the "H" type? If so, should I expect one to go completely in a short while?

I've also read someone thought that Seat would pay for replacement coils, even though my car is clearly out of it's warranty period.

Any help is appreciated.

Pablo

 

[Kam]

I have had 2 Leons and in both instances when the coil packs failed, the yellow emmissions light comes on on the dash board. Is that the case for you?

 

[Pablo99]

Sadly, no lights have come on. Seat reckon it all checks out OK, but I've lost a lot of performance when accelerating, and my morning starts are like driving with the handbrake on.

Did you experience this?

Funnily enough, the radio on my stereo (original 6 CD changer model), can't get a decent signal on FM or MW (I'm not daft - I have got an aerial on my car). This has only happened since the problems with the car started.....
...I just don't want to spend a fortune on new coils etc when Seat can't find a problem.

 

[Kam]

OK, I am quite a novice at diagnosing probs! Is your battery and alternator or working fine? I know a dodgy MAF will lead to poor performance with the turbo not spinning as it should or at all. With MAF failures, no lights will come on - just crap performance!

Anyone else any suggestions?

 

[Pablo99]

Would u believe it? Rang the stealer back after I'd read about Seat increasing the warranty to 5 years on the coils and Mr. Stealer said "Oh yes, I believe they have". Then tried to palm me off by asking if my car was less than 5 years old - which it clearly is. Why didn't they offer it under warranty in the first place, methinks...So now they're ringing Seat in the morning to confirm that they can replace the coils under warranty. If it hadn't been for this site, I'd probably be £250 worse off, at least.

Fingers crossed the new coils do the trick - although I'm worried the so-called 'experts' can't find what's wrong with my car....

...I'll let you know the outcome tomorrow.

Thanks,

Pablo

 

[Stuart Lee]

Don't know if anyone can help - I've an X-reg 1.8 20VT Leon and it struggles to start in cold/wet weather - ignition seems ok but the tick-over seems like it is about to stall.

The first mile of driving is disasterous - I bunny hop down the road above 2,000 rpm.

On the motorway, most noticeably in 5th and 6th, car stutters before accelerating away - and it doesn't feel like the turbo is kicking in properly. In 3rd, the turbo only seemed to operate like it used to when I go above 5,000 rpm.

I've also read someone thought that Seat would pay for replacement coils, even though my car is clearly out of it's warranty period.

Pablo

Yesterday I suffered exactly the same symptoms as you, same age car except my engine warning light is showing ..............spooky.

Spoke to my stealer and they say it sounds like coilpack and the earliest they can do it is next Monday .

Now I have no car for nearly a week which is a real fcuker .

Keep me posted please................. all advice is much appreciated from you all.

 

[Pablo99]

Stealer said they've confirmation from Seat that they'll replace it under warranty and clever bloke ordered the wrong coils. So they're keeping it tonight and will fit the correct coils tomorrow.

They've checked the spark plugs, they're OK and they're going to run some injector and engine cleaner through it - couple of quid to pay but I just want them to get to the bottom of it. I also couldn't believe they drove it yesterday and thought it was OK - it's a joint Seat and Hyundai place, my guess is they probably thought they were driving a Getz!

It's a good job this site is up and running - hats off to everyone who has put such useful stuff on here. Hope you're car runs OK after the upgrade. I'll let you know tomorrow night, once I've taken in on some country roads to see how it goes...

Pablo.

P.S. It's a good job I live within walking distance of the garage and work, otherwise I'd be stuffed.

 

[Saul]

tell the dealer to send you a the coil pack in the post

 

[Stuart Lee]

Stealer said they've confirmation from Seat that they'll replace it under warranty and clever bloke ordered the wrong coils. So they're keeping it tonight and will fit the correct coils tomorrow.

Good news Pablo, I've managed to squeeze mine in for tomorrow. Dealers said they need to get confirmation from SEAT UK for it to be done under warranty, particularly as its an import. I'll know more tomorrow and will keep you posted.

 

[Pablo99]

Fingers cross Stu, hope it gets the go-ahead.

I visited my baby in hospital at lunchtime and they showed me the old coil. Said the serial number on it was S something or other, and I didn't have the time to write it down. They didn't think it was an 'H' or a 'J' etc, and they said it was some sort of bolt-on coil. I have no idea what they were talking about but I've seen the engine, minus it's coils. I'm now convinced that they are definitely replacing them, so fingers crossed they get the right ones.

They said if this doesn't fix the problem, they don't know what else to do, so I'm hoping this does the trick. Otherwise, I'll be back on here asking people what to do next!

 

[Stuart Lee]

Otherwise, I'll be back on here asking people what to do next!

Yep, this is the most helpful forum I think I have ever found on t'internet .

I hope your prob is cured by the morning mate!!

 

[WeeJase]

they said it was some sort of bolt-on coil. I have no idea what they were talking about

earlier engines had the coils bolted in ,later cars have them just like a plug lead.

 

[Pablo99]

More disappointment, I'm afraid. Stealer ordered the wrong coils on Monday, so ordered the correct ones yesterday. Got a call and was told only 1 of the 4 packs arrived today, and that it was the supplier's fault. So, looks like another day of pavement pounding for me, and I only hope they arrive tomorrow, as I'm off on holiday for 10 days after that. Am miffed but what can you do (aside from become an authorised Seat repair centre)?

 

[Stuart Lee]

Sorry to hear that Pablo. Mine were fitted (under warranty) at Westerham Garage yesterday and she flies like a bird once more. They fitted L model coilpacks which apparently have now been trouble free for 12 months.

Hope you get sorted today!!

 

[Pablo99]

Nice one. I'm expecting a call at 10:30, and with any luck (and a dash of competence for a change), I might get the car back by lunchtime.

Let's hope it cures my problem - as you say, your engine warning light came on.

Glad yours is back to full health

 

[yorkie]

Stu, yours is an import and they replaced the coils under (extended coil) warranty ?

Just checking as mine is an import and had one coil go a couple of yrs ago - handy to know
what the score is should others go now I'm out of the normal warranty period....

 

[Stuart Lee]

Stu, yours is an import and they replaced the coils under (extended coil) warranty ?

Just checking as mine is an import and had one coil go a couple of yrs ago - handy to know

Aye, they said the work was covered regardless of origin, if it has the crappy old coilpacks they are replaced with new modified ones .

My car is nearly 4 yrs old and cos it's an import is therefore nearly 2 years out of warranty.

Hope you are sorted now Pablo (deja vu)!!

 

[yorkie]

 

[Pablo99]

Am finally sorted - and went to pick her up at 3pm.

Was suddenly presented with a bill for nearly £80 and I went beserk.

They told me they'd replaced the spark plugs, at a cost of whatever each, as the old ones were choked.

I questioned why they didn't ask me first, or at least contact me to inform me and get the go-ahead. Adding this to all the messing around etc and the fact they didn't offer to do things under warranty in the first place, I was not amused. AND, I had my 40k service in the summer, and they'd changed the plugs then. I queried why they needed changing after 5k of driving and they muttered some excuse about coils causing the damage. I retorted with the fact that maybe Seat should pay for these, as they should be ruined after 5k.

Anyway, managed to agree on £50 all-in, and I'm just glad the car drives like a dream now. Note - never go back to that garage, and I'll warn all others I know not to go there.

 

[CupraR-Rog]

Unauthorised work on a car?? And charging you for parts damaged when a warranted part failed??