Cupra smells and has problems starting

[-DT-]

Hi

Yesterday it took at least half a dozen attempts to get my car to start, it would start then immediately die again. I also heard a slight squealing noise when it did finally start and I was reversing.

Recently I have also noticed a smell like sulphur/ rotting eggs and slightly oily/ chemically too (Esp when stationery or reversing) It also says "service" down next the the odemeter, eventhough it was only serviced a month ago. There are no warning lights or anything.

Any ideas what could be up? I am guessing the smell is cat related.

Thanks

 

[Mukkyman]

I think most of the problems you are having are cat related, not sure about the squeeling tho. Could be aircon belt or something.

Best get the car on vagcom see what codes it brings up.

 

[markgb]

Definately sound's like the cat mate. Have you lost any drive. Had a cat break up on my calibra, engine had the revs but no power.
The cat had cells had broken down.

 

[Avant4me]

Too much oil put in at service seems likely to me since it started around the same time. That would explain the smell. If we are on the subject of servicing, were the spark plugs changed? Could be a wrong gap.

 

[Mukkyman]

Too much oil put in at service seems likely to me since it started around the same time. That would explain the smell. If we are on the subject of servicing, were the spark plugs changed? Could be a wrong gap.

That would cause a missfire right? then the excess fuel would spit on the cat and kill it?

 

[Avant4me]

that is about the size of it. bummer

 

[-DT-]

Too much oil put in at service seems likely to me since it started around the same time. That would explain the smell. If we are on the subject of servicing, were the spark plugs changed? Could be a wrong gap.

Ok, so just checked and the oil is about 1 cm over the top of the little bump in the dipstick (where the little dots are). Is this too much? I have probably driven 750-800 miles since it was serviced about 5 weeks ago.

Thanks

 

[JamJay]

That's quite some over the limit, like 50% overfilled. Who serviced it, garage? I'd be taking it back and claiming from them.

 

[-DT-]

The problem is the garage is near my mum's house in Bristol, and I am currently in Leeds- I should not be driving 260 miles with too much oil! (I have already done 800 since the service)

Not noticed any performance issues- just the starting issue.

The garage told me to drain it down to a normal level and bring the car in. I am worried they will deny all knowledge of any wrongdoing though as the oil level will be normal when I return it. What should I do next? Get it in writing from them?

Thanks

 

[Avant4me]

Depends on your need for the car. I wouldn't drive it anymore with that much too much oil in it, as it is going to be getting put into the exhaust and it will cook your cat more. Don't see you have an option really except to drain some out.

 

[mike2926]

i have come across these faults when a coil pack fails. it is a relativly cheap fix.

many thanks