FR TFSI - some help needed

[john.s]

Hello world, I am new to this forum, I will introduce myself later and add more stuff about my car but for now i'm in trouble and I need your help!

I will try to be short, I have a seat leon FR TFSI (2007 model) with all the options except heated seats, and I have trouble with a noise coming from under the front axle in relation with the ESP (abs/asr/edl).

The noise appears when the car looses traction on snow/rain.
If the esp in ON, the noise you can hear in the movie i've made appears when I use the handbrake to drift/spin and sometimes (rare) when I loose traction accelerating (1st,2nd and 3rd gear mostly) . If the esp is OFF, the noise appears rarely but still exist on occasion.

I was to the dealer, but except from "I think this is normal" or "we don't really know" ...
I am a little worried for myself and others in the traffic.

Thank you so much!!! &

MOVIE (filmed with the camera near the brake pedal)
youtu.be/llI-y0vyBHI

 

[FR_Kris]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llI-y0vyBHI&feature=youtu.be

 

[cheungy]

Drops links?
Subframe bolts?
Torque mounts?

 

[tonto]

im pretty sure i bought a leon, to move away from being branded as a ******, that does handbrake turns...

when I use the handbrake to drift/spin and sometimes

 

[john.s]

im pretty sure i bought a leon, to move away from being branded as a ******, that does handbrake turns...

And I went to this forum hoping not to find people that think like you. If you have nothing constructive to say, than don't say it.

The handbrake was use ONLY FOR TESTING PURPOSES! (ask,think first, shoot later)
It is difficult to have the noise recorded for a longer time without it.

Thank you for your comment...

 

[john.s]

Drops links?
Subframe bolts?
Torque mounts?

Thank you Dave, but I have checked at the dealer almost anything under the car. It is like the ABS enters when it should not, like when starting from standing still...but since I have no errors I can't figure out what is wrong

When road is dry, the car it is rock solid, even when pushed hard on corners or straight lines.

 

[GrahamFR]

It sounds horrible, I don't know what it is sorry, does it effect your handling ability as I have heard a similar noise in a fiesta, but that could corner for sh it as a result. However watching your clip has led me to this, which is a similar noise but I don't think they are related http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=related&v=Ql7DvbZzq_E

 

[GrahamFR]

And although it does sound strictly mechanical and might not be picked up, have you had it scanned with a vcds?

 

[john.s]

And although it does sound strictly mechanical and might not be picked up, have you had it scanned with a vcds?

Hi Graham, yes, scanned, no faults! doesn't affect cornering or anything else, at least apparently ... but when you loose traction, yes, it sounds horrible....

 

[cheungy]

Thank you Dave, but I have checked at the dealer almost anything under the car. It is like the ABS enters when it should not, like when starting from standing still...but since I have no errors I can't figure out what is wrong

When road is dry, the car it is rock solid, even when pushed hard on corners or straight lines.

Okay...How about a 4 wheel alignment?

Is your Leon Stock or has it been Remapped? It may be worth your while to have stronger maps or take it to a Vag Specialist and let them check other than go to the dealers

Hope it goes right, I to drive a Leon TFSI Sport not yet experienced this problem

I personally don't trust dealers not my local one a least (shrugs)

 

[john.s]

Okay...How about a 4 wheel alignment?

Is your Leon Stock or has it been Remapped? It may be worth your while to have stronger maps or take it to a Vag Specialist and let them check other than go to the dealers

Hope it goes right, I to drive a Leon TFSI Sport not yet experienced this problem

I personally don't trust dealers not my local one a least (shrugs)

Leon is stock, already did the 4 wheel alignment (2 mounts ago). I don't trust dealers too, but being a mater with the stability/brakes/control of the car I wanted to take it to the "best"...

Is it just me or the sound is not only mechanic, but electronic too ?

 

[GrahamFR]

If it was electronic it would have a fault showing. Where abouts in the country are you John perhaps we can recommend a decent independent garage?

 

[Noel<>leoN]

No similar noise on braking? (Something wrong with brakes maybe)
No loose bits around the brakes getting snagged?
Tyres types and tread depth same on all wheels- tried resetting the tyre pressure monitor in case the wheels circumferences aren't what it expects?
Can you make a way to get specifically left then right wheels to lose grip- validate if it is the traction control that's at fault? Not sure how you'd do that without a very localised ice patch
When you press the TCS/ESP button you definitely get the warning light on the dashboard to say its off?

 

[john.s]

No similar noise on braking? (Something wrong with brakes maybe)
No loose bits around the brakes getting snagged?
Tyres types and tread depth same on all wheels- tried resetting the tyre pressure monitor in case the wheels circumferences aren't what it expects?
Can you make a way to get specifically left then right wheels to lose grip- validate if it is the traction control that's at fault? Not sure how you'd do that without a very localised ice patch
When you press the TCS/ESP button you definitely get the warning light on the dashboard to say its off?

Interesting points Noel.
1st, yes, a little similar noise when braking, but that noise is specific to the ABS on all cars that I have driven. The thing is, ABS shouldn't fire when loosing traction! Yes, the ESP brakes a wheel in order to maintain the car on the road, but doesn't engage ABS-like braking.
2nd,all tires are the same brand and winter profile with the correct pressure applied.
3rd, yes, I will try that, it is a good point to test it that way!
4th,yes, warning light stays on the dashboard like it should + the ESP appears to be OFF because the noise doesn't appear at all when using the handbrake and it doesn't cut power to the spinning wheels.
However, as you may know, ABS and EDL are ON all the time, with esp on or off.

Thank you for your time and support!


GrahamFR, I now live far away from Queen's land, all the way to Bucharest,Romania...

 

[Noel<>leoN]

I think TCS is the same thing as EDL- that should turn off when the ESP button is pushed. I think its only ABS that you can't turn off. Maybe that's only UK cars though.

Can you make a similar noise by braking lightly- rusty discs or something like that? Sounds a bit like when I first use the brakes after the car's been unused for a couple of days in rainy weather .

Golfs had a feature where if the windscreen wipers are on, the brakes pads are briefly touched on the discs (no pressure though) to wipe water off ready for any braking needed. Maybe your spec Leon has that? Not on UK models as far as I'm aware. Do you get the noise in wet conditions if your wipers are off?

Otherwise I'm stumped I'm afraid!

 

[john.s]

I think its only ABS that you can't turn off. Maybe that's only UK cars though.

Can you make a similar noise by braking lightly- rusty discs or something like that? Sounds a bit like when I first use the brakes after the car's been unused for a couple of days in rainy weather .

Golfs had a feature where if the windscreen wipers are on, the brakes pads are briefly touched on the discs (no pressure though) to wipe water off ready for any braking needed. Maybe your spec Leon has that? Not on UK models as far as I'm aware. Do you get the noise in wet conditions if your wipers are off?

Otherwise I'm stumped I'm afraid!

Hi, and Merry Christmas to all.
Disks are ok,no rust or excessive wear (new brembo brake pads). I think I have the feature you are talking about, but still, I don't see any connection.

I will take the wheels off and check the ABS sensors (maybe a little cleaning) and then, well, I'm out of ideas
Can't think of a way to isolate an identify the problem...

 

[m0rk]

Sounds normal for edl/ESP

ESP is never fully off, hence it still sounds when it's off a little

 

[cheungy]

Hi, and Merry Christmas to all.
Disks are ok,no rust or excessive wear (new brembo brake pads). I think I have the feature you are talking about, but still, I don't see any connection.

I will take the wheels off and check the ABS sensors (maybe a little cleaning) and then, well, I'm out of ideas
Can't think of a way to isolate an identify the problem...

I don't think it's a problem with your ABS sensors, if it was your ABS...would be stuck on constantly which would be a pump sensor gone... If it's not broken, leave it! if it in doult take it to another garage

 

[john.s]

Sounds normal for edl/ESP

ESP is never fully off, hence it still sounds when it's off a little

Hi, you heard the clip and you think it sound's normal? Yours does the same??


cheungy, 3rd garage and still no clue (1porsche dealer,seat,and known independent)

porsche said it may be the servo-brake, 50-50 chance, 300EUR+ to change it.
independent said maybe an ABS valve, could replace the abs box, 450 EUR
seat official - no clue )

 

[john.s]

Hi folks, just a little update:
2 independent garages confirms there is nothing wrong and that is a normal sound for a car fitted with ESP...guess I will have to leave with it... strange though that you guys have not said you have it under similar conditions...