What could be causing our SEAT Alhambra to struggle on mountain roads?

The last two years have seen us drive to our holidays in Southern France and Spain in our 2004 SEAT Alhambra TDI 130. The journeys have been uneventful, apart from a particular section of the Massif central (above 2,500ft) when the engine suddenly loses power and will barely get above 30mph. Stopping and starting again would clear the problem for a while, but it only got better when we got out of the mountains. Since then, and between trips the problem disappears. The garage can't find any errors on the car's computer. Any suggestions that may reassure my wife before this year's holiday?

Asked on 3 April 2011 by DM, Hove

Answered by Honest John

If this happens while ascending it could simply be that the turbo is overheating because it is working too hard but the car is not going fast enough to cool it sufficiently (it will probably be glowing cherry red). The answer is to stop and leave the engine idling for 2-5 minutes in order to allow the engine oil circulating through the turbo bearing to cool it down relatively.

Tags: loss of power overheating turbo engines

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