Erratic performance problem - MAF unit

[psrob]

Hello,

I don't know whether you can help me but I have got a 2002 model Leon Cupra which suffers from an erratic performance problem. I was advised via this site to contact Amethyst as they recognise the problem.

I have had the problem since I first bought the car new. Some days performance is fine and the car is really quick, however other days the car is slow and sluggish, particularly above 3000 revs when it just seems flat. Sometimes the acceleration 'see-saws' or is 'jerky'... surging forward and then holding back repeatidly. There is a marked difference between when the car runs well, to when the car does not. However this is an intermittent problem.

I have taken it into my SEAT garage where I bought the car ( Lookers, Manchester). But they reckon there is no problem as no fault comes up on the VAG-COM and the intermittent problem does not help as its sods law that it was running ok when I took it in.

I took the car in to an independant Turbo and ECU specialist the other day who ran a full diagnostic check on it and they also did a test out on the road. Everything was running ok and the turbo is fine but no fault still came up on their diagnostics although they actually felt the fault occur. What they do think is that it is almost certainly a MAF sensor unit problem from feeling it out on the road themselves and my description of the fault. They said that similar problems have been found before on the Bosch units and replacing it would most probably solve it. They could get me a replacement ( £240 + VAT) but they think I shouldn't have to pay that out as it should be covered under a warranty in a new car less than a year old by SEAT - which I tend to agree as I just haven't got that kind of money when my wife is expecting next month! ( I was shocked at how expensive they are!)

Can you help? Is there any way of making a claim through the warranty? Its a nightmare situation made worse by the fact that it runs fine sometimes so trying to get my dealer to understand is near impossible.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Paul Robinson

[ibizacupra]

Have you tried calling them Paul?
I am not sure how often this gets read now that Swinnys gone.

Flapper is your man for parts and Rob Waite has been doing an excellent job looking after yours truely since Swinny left, even though he is the Sales Manager.

Worth a call to confirm.
Might get you an answer sooner thats all.

Good luck
regards
Bill

[psrob]

Tried yesterday Bill and left my details as they were busy. Unfortunately they didn't phone back so I thought I'd try this.
I'll go and give them another try now.
Cheers Bill!

Paul

[SWINNY]

Hi Paul,

Have read your post and it sounds as if you have an air flow meter problem - made worse by the fact it dosen't show up on 1551/5051 unless you take live readings when the fault is on.

Have another chat with your dealer along these lines.

[mik]

Mr Swinny Sir!

Hows life after Amethyst treating you?

[Brian27]

The MAF sensor is definetely covered by the warranty, but it has been known for some dealers to fob people off saying that it isn't.

[psrob]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Managed to get a result from my dealer although it might not be the MAF unit but the dump valve on its way out. New one on order under warranty and if that doesn't work they are going to replace the MAF unit.

Cheers

Paul

[BlackFR]

Mines going into great covert southampton for a new MAF in a couple of weeks. Mine kinda shagged itsself so badly the MIL light came on!

me

[c4y]

i have the same problem with my leon cupra (bought august 2001), and when i was at my local seat dealer they told me that there is no problem because it doesnt show on their tester.

even better: they told me that i should try a chip tuning, maybe that will solve my problem -- haha --what a lough

so, now i called the seat people again - i hope this time they do their job.

has anyone a good hint for me, that seat people cannot send me back home, with a half working car

regards
cupra4yoda

[Biff]

psrob -

Did you sort out your problem? Starting to think I'm experiencing the same thing!! Would like to know the outcome.

Biff

[psrob]

Originally posted by Biff
psrob -

Did you sort out your problem? Starting to think I'm experiencing the same thing!! Would like to know the outcome.

Biff

Yes Biff, I did eventually sort out the problem but it was not my MAF sensor but my dump valve or turbo divertor valve using the correct term. I later found out if it was the MAF unit the engine would struggle to rev above 4000 revs which mine did no problem, the power just went flat. This was because my dump valve was faulty and I was actually leaking boost pressure as the boost increased which has a detrimental effect on performance.
I had it replaced under warranty with SEAT and the new one brought dramatic improvement - for about 3 weeks - until that one went as well. Chipping your car does increase the chances of your dump valve failing though but only because the standard Bosch unit is so poor.(Have a look on the Audi World Forums and do a search for 'dump valve') Got a Forge dump valve fitted and touch wood everything seems to be ok since then.
If your car is standard try getting SEAT to replace the dump valve under warranty or alternatively get a Forge or Bailey dump valve and see if that makes a difference.
Hope you sort it out,

Paul

[Biff]

Thanks Paul.

I'd considered changing my dump valve anyway, I'm just paranoid about warranty issues if it's got non standard kit on it. As it's an import I've only got two years warranty anyway, so I plan to change the DV now and then chip it after the warranty runs out.
Did you fit the DV yourself? Did the dealer question the warranty work because you've chipped it?

Thanks,

Chris

[psrob]

The dealers aren't daft, they know when a car is chipped if they take it out for a test drive but I think at my dealers they take the approach that as long as it is'nt too obvious then they don't know about it if you know what I mean. Although buying my car from them I think has also helped in this respect as well. You just have to weigh up yourself the odds of faults occuring which could be refused under warranty with the performance gains to be had by modifying. As you can see I've made my decision and I'm well pleased with it ( touch wood). There is no way I could wait 3 years!!

I got my dump valve fitted by Awsome GTI in Warrington.

Paul

[DrDave]

Of course a chipped car is going to increase the stress on other components - the DV being a particular favorite

[Crofter]

My car has had the eratic performance thing since day one and its standard , im booked in to get it checked asap.

[mark sheerin]

test drove a Leon cupra about 3 months before I bought mine and told the guys that the DV was faulty even though I'd never had a turbo car before. felt like you were putting the brakes on between gear changes only way round it was to blip the throttle on upchanges to stop the turbo stalling.
I don't think they believed me judging by their faces..However mine has been fine since day one.!
the bosch units may be prone to failure as they are plastic I believe but rumour has it that when they are working correctly they are better than the forge!:rolleyes:

[ibizacupra]

Originally posted by mark sheerin
rumour has it that when they are working correctly they are better than the forge!:rolleyes:

I heard this so tried for myself, reverting to my stock new DV which was removed from day one when converted to "210" spec.

It does not work anywhere near as fast as the Forge one. Not even close IMHO and experience.

Forge one went straight back on, but I at least have personal experience of before and after now on my own motor.

regards
Bill