SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD - SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD diesel - lack of power

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Tue 1 Nov 2011 13:36
SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD - SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD diesel - lack of power - BenG

Recently bought a Seat Leon with the 1.9 VW diesel in 150hp form. However, I am convinced the car is not running right as it seems sluggish across the board and does not accelerate hard in the lower gears as would be expected of a reasonably powerful turbodiesel.

The car will still do 70+ on the motorway so does not seem to be in limp mode. Also, there seems to a quite a loud whistling noise under acceleration as the turbo boosts.

I thought there might be a boost leak and asked my local garage to look at this but they claimed they could not find a leak, although they do not have a rolling road so this was based on a static inspection and removing and refitting the intercooler pipe work only. I've heard that MAFs can fail on these engines but would this cause the symptom I have (lack of power at all revs/speeds)? Or could there be a turbo problem (variable vanes, actuator, worn out, etc?).

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks,

Ben

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Wed 2 Nov 2011 10:42
SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD - SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD diesel - lack of power - dieselnut

Does the CEL light work or has it been disconnected to facilitate the cars sale?

MAF's can fail & not actuate the CEL & give symptoms the same as you have.

As you have a whistle it does suggest a boost leak from either the pipework or intercooler.

Remove the intake pipe from the turbo & make sure the vanes spin freely & that there is no play in the spindle.

Failing that you will need to get it on to VAG.COM or VCDS with someone who knows how to use it effectively.

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Wed 2 Nov 2011 17:18
SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD - SEAT Leon FR TDI 1.9PD diesel - lack of power - BenG

The CEL light is not lit while driving - I'll need to check if it illuminates on start-up.

MAF has been replaced in the past, but could still be faulty.

I need to check the pipe work thoroughly this weekend for leaks but as for the turbo, I can't even SEE it let alone get anywhere near it!

I have the car booked in with a specialist on 19th Nov but I'd like to get it fixed before then if possible.

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