Coolant and oil temperature

[exmgman]

My 11k miles FR has until recently ran at 90degC coolant and 100degC oil temperatures as displayed on the dash readout. Always steady once warmed up at any outside temperature.
On a recent 200 mile non stop journey average speed circa 55mph the coolant only reached 80degC and the oil 79degC. The external temperature was chilly at 12degC not freezing.
Today the engine did not reach the past normal operating temperature after a run of 30 minutes and 20 miles. Sometimes the coolant temperature dropping to 65degC!
So what's changed? I assume there must be a thermostat in the cooling system which in an old school engine I would say has jammed open!
Also on the recent 200 mile trip, one driven many times before, same route same cruise control settings I used to get 43mpg, this time only 36mpg. Again this suggests that the motor is not reaching its optimum operating temperature.
Anybody else experienced this kind of problem.?

 

[marty_34]

looks like a thermostat issue

i do 20 miles to work and when its very low temp outside the oil temp sometimes only hits 90 degrees as I'm getting to work

 

[DEAN0]

Have you checked the coolant level ?
It may be that the temp sensor is caught in an airlock

 

[exmgman]

Thanks for the responses. I have of course checked the coolant, never touched since the car was delivered.
The oil temperature never reached 80degC on a 200 mile non stop run so clearly it seems there is a thermostat problem. I did wonder in this modern age whether the coolant temperature was regulated electronically through the ECU via a valve. Time to visit the dealer methinks.
Does anyway know where the stat is buried? Might need to use the old ways and put a piece of cardboard in front of the rad to get home!

 

[scrich7]

I had this exact issue for a couple of months recently. Took it to the dealer the first occasion as it had lost coolant, they did all the checks and found nothing wrong. Then over a period of a few weeks, the temperatures were getting steadily lower - only 2 out of 8 bars on the coolant temp level for example. I mentioned this during it's service and they said it was nothing to worry about.

I eventually decided to try a different dealership when on a 3 hour motorway journey, the oil temperature dropped below 50C and wouldn't even register on the screen any longer, knew something wasn't quite right. I assumed it would be a thermostat issue too.

Anyway, I took it to a different dealer who had it for a week and finally found the issue. Apparently the Leon doesn't have a 'traditional' thermostat, but instead has an integrated water pump, with thermostat and control until all in one. It turns out that the pump had a small leak which was causing the issue. Apparently there was a TPI issued for it last year too. Since they replaced the unit, I've thankfully had no major issues.

What engine do you have? I'd suggest getting it into the dealer ASAP.

 

[exmgman]

Engine temperatures

Thanks for your input.
Here is the message I have sent to Seat. I tried to send this to the email address they gave but this was rejected by their server!


"Ref Seat Leon FR
I am enquiring regarding what should be the typical coolant and oil temperatures displayed on the instrument panel for a Leon FR.
Since the car was new the temperatures on a long journey would reach and settle at 90 degC for the coolant and 100 degC for the oil.
Last week on a journey of 200 miles the temperatures were 80 degC coolant and 79 degC oil with an outside temperature of 12 degC. Temperatures considerably lower than are normally registered on the same route at the same average speeds over the past year. Also the average fuel consumption was greater than usually encountered on this same journey on many occasions in the past.
36 mpg where in past journeys the car has achieved 42-44mpg over the same route with the cruise control set at the speed limits.
Over weekend on a shorter journey some 20 miles taking 30 minutes again full normal operating engine temperature was not reached.
To day I took the car to the Seat dealer where they ran a diagnostic check. They were unable to determine anything wrong from the readout but clearly something has changed. They said that they would need the car for 3 days to undertake further investigation and obtain parts but unfortunately I need to return home before this time scale.
The return journey from the dealer saw the engine temperature drop as I drove along.
I understand from the dealer that the coolant temperature is controlled by the ECU and a series of pumps and valves. Is it possible that something has jammed? Certainly the operating temperatures are considerably lower than those encountered over the past year in the same conditions.
I will book the car into my local dealer on my return home, hopefully to resolve this problem.
Your comments please."

I await their reply with interest.

 

[marty_34]

id phone then 0500 222222 you will wait 48-72 hours for a reply by email

 

[exmgman]

Marty,
Tried that - they gave me the (wrong) email address to send a message to the technical department. The techy guys cannot be accessed by phone.
Also rang my local dealer this morning to book the car in.
Receptionist said the service departments line was busy - took my number so they could call me back - I'm still waiting!
Starting to loose my temper now as the dealer failed to call me back before Christmas when I was told that the line to the service department was busy. Time to use another dealer I think!
I'll try the 0500 number again tomorrow.

 

[scrich7]

Which engine is it?

 

[exmgman]

Says a couple of posts back FR 1.8 Tsi 184 bhp.
Still waiting for the dealer to return my call!!!

 

[scrich7]

Says a couple of posts back FR 1.8 Tsi 184 bhp.
Still waiting for the dealer to return my call!!!

Erm, no it doesn't? The only thing you mentioned was FR, you've not mentioned the engine once. And it's 180bhp, not 184.

But that's the same engine, so I'd be amazed if it isn't the same issue I faced. There is a TPI with the dealers from last year for the issue. The problem is, because it doesn't trigger any fault codes, most dealers won't bother investigating any further.

 

[exmgman]

Scrich,
Sorry forgot there were lower powered FR variants. Seems to me to be a contradiction in terms to have FR models with low power engines.
Thanks for your input, it helps to be able to cite that other owners have had similar problems, and there is a technical bulletin on it.
Time to call Seat again.

 

[gartner]

Scrich,
Sorry forgot there were lower powered FR variants. Seems to me to be a contradiction in terms to have FR models with low power engines.

There are no FR with 1.2 TSI engines and 1.6 TDI engines, 1.4(8) TSIs and 2.0 TDIs "only".

 

[StevenM]

Scrich,
... Seems to me to be a contradiction in terms to have FR models with low power engines...

Not really. FR is only a trim level, nothing more nothing less.

You'll need to press the dealer to get your car looked at/seen to properly. As has been mentioned, most will only act on a diagnostic and if the computer says 'no' then they stop listening or trying, which is poor show really, but calm perseverance may get you there in the end.



Sent from my piece of shite iPhone - according to Muz.

 

[exmgman]

Tpi number

Scrich,
Do you know the Tpi number you mentioned in the posting?
It will be helpful when I take the car to the dealers.
I was talking today with a mobile mechanic who was working at a friends premises on a diesel van. Explained the situation, he told me that this was not just confined to Leon's , he had seen this on Nissans, Jags and other makes of vehicle!
Anyway, Leon is now booked into a dealers in a weeks time so we'll see what transpires from this. I'll keep the forum informed for the benefit of others who may experience this problem.
Going to an alternative dealer since the local one couldn't be bothered to return my calls after leaving messages for the service department with the receptionist.

 

[scrich7]

Scrich,
Do you know the Tpi number you mentioned in the posting?
It will be helpful when I take the car to the dealers.
I was talking today with a mobile mechanic who was working at a friends premises on a diesel van. Explained the situation, he told me that this was not just confined to Leon's , he had seen this on Nissans, Jags and other makes of vehicle!
Anyway, Leon is now booked into a dealers in a weeks time so we'll see what transpires from this. I'll keep the forum informed for the benefit of others who may experience this problem.
Going to an alternative dealer since the local one couldn't be bothered to return my calls after leaving messages for the service department with the receptionist.

Will see if it is in the service book later on.

 

[exmgman]

Coolant temperature

Just bring this up to date.
Took the car to a dealer in the West Country where I was on holiday who did a diagnostic check and found nothing in the fault codes. They agreed that there was problem but unfortunately they needed the car for 2-3 days and I didn't have that much time left there so came home.
The car has now been at a local dealer for 4 days, they have carried out another diagnostic check and agreed there was something wrong. Called me today to tell me they now have a new thermostat but couldn't guarantee that I would get it back for the weekend! I need it as it has a tow bar this weekend. Up to the point of the phone call they had laid a spanner on it.
Apparently a lot of parts need to be removed to get at the thermostat hence the time needed to fit the new part. Worryingly they said they may need to order new gaskets!!! To put it back together again. Surely when parts with gaskets are are removed they should be refitted with new ones.
Decided to get the car back for the weekend and it has to go back in again next week for 3 days.

 

[DEAN0]

Worryingly they said they may need to order new gaskets!!! To put it back together again. Surely when parts with gaskets are are removed they should be refitted with new ones.

The incompetence of some stealers is staggering at times.

Every time I booked my Ibiza in for service - I asked for the air filter to be done at the same time ( Seat say it is good for 4 years !!!!! )
The filter was never there during the service - it was always ordered on the day of the service and I was asked to take the car back.

 

[scrich7]

Just bring this up to date.
Took the car to a dealer in the West Country where I was on holiday who did a diagnostic check and found nothing in the fault codes. They agreed that there was problem but unfortunately they needed the car for 2-3 days and I didn't have that much time left there so came home.
The car has now been at a local dealer for 4 days, they have carried out another diagnostic check and agreed there was something wrong. Called me today to tell me they now have a new thermostat but couldn't guarantee that I would get it back for the weekend! I need it as it has a tow bar this weekend. Up to the point of the phone call they had laid a spanner on it.
Apparently a lot of parts need to be removed to get at the thermostat hence the time needed to fit the new part. Worryingly they said they may need to order new gaskets!!! To put it back together again. Surely when parts with gaskets are are removed they should be refitted with new ones.
Decided to get the car back for the weekend and it has to go back in again next week for 3 days.

When I had the same problem they had my car for 5 days, it doesn't bother me too much, I just wanted it fixed in the end. Apparently it's a very complex thermostat unit, it's combined with the water pump and a control unit, and isn't easy to access.

 

[DEAN0]

When I had the same problem they had my car for 5 days, it doesn't bother me too much, I just wanted it fixed in the end. Apparently it's a very complex thermostat unit, it's combined with the water pump and a control unit, and isn't easy to access.

Complex or not - the clowns should be ordering the relevant gaskets & seals at the same time they order parts to it.