Need some help from you lovely guys :-)

[SexySeat]

Hey guys, hope you're all good

My Leon seems to have a constant emissions problem atm, after jerking a bit and then failing its mot it was diagnosed with a faulty Lambda sensor, no probs, it got fixed then it sails through the mot with no other problems.. A week after i get it home, the same old annoying symptoms start again! It's hesitating to accelerate properly at which point you can hear a difference in the engine sound. Under diagnostics the garage say its the sensors once again, this time i decided to hack it out for a while to see how it goes. The problem isn't even constant but now its not idling great either, you could be sat at traffic lights and it sounds like its trying to cut out! Its done it a few times when first started up, it feels like there's no power and sounds pretty close to stalling. The car has never stalled and doesn't tend to struggle up hills either.

Went on holiday a couple of weeks ago and decided to have the "sensor" sorted again whilst i were away, i've returned to the garage confirming that it was the lambda.. Ok, well you would have believed them if you felt how amazing the car was driving again for the first 4 days. Then off it goes jerking and hesitating again.. Just to add these hesitations are at around 2000 rpm.. Picked my mum up today, just as shes getting in the car, engine management light pings on once again. Mother then turns around to me and says "god i wish you would just sell this stupid car, it sounds like its miss firing"- she really doesn't understand my love for it haha

So if this is once again the Lambda sensors (which i find hard to believe) there must be a reason as to why they keep failing?!! If its not the sensors at all then i can't understand why the car feels fine when it first gets them changed?!!

Either the garage i use are totally Seat shy, or i'm looking at something more than what meets the eye.. To be fair to the garage, that car has been under diagnostics loadssss of times, even SEAT themselves have had it under, but all they've ever done is fix a problem which isn't the right one..

Really stuck guys! I'm a dumb blonde who has no idea about codes, Seriously know nothing about car mechanics, i just know i liike to drive them lol

Any suggestions on my next move guys? Anyone in Yorkshire, or know anyone who is that might help me? I'm close to just scrapping the stupid thing but don't wanna waste a good car if its something simple!!

Would Really appreciate any help or advice you guys might have xx

Oh and its a 2002 1.8 20vT

 

[Mikey_Bling]

It's not gonna fix your car or be particularly helpful in the immediacy but......it really needs scanning for fault codes. Ask if there's anyone local to you on here who can scan it. A lot of us have the necessary software on laptops etc.

 

[ozaudio]

if the same sensor is braking have you checked to make sure they are using a bosch rather than a cheaper option? also if they are is the lamba covered in oil at all? could be a leaky seal and oils knackering the sensor up, based upon that this problem is lamba related and the same sensor keeps braking....

 

[traumapat]

Need to know the codes... it could be the lambda isnt faulty itself, its reporting a fault... possibly a boost/vac leak. Everytime the disconnect the battery to change the sensor it resets the ecu so you get good running until it cant ignore the problem any longer.

Any Vag specialists you could try?

 

[CupraTurbo20v]

make sure you clean the pipe the sensors in, could be oil just destroying them all

 

[Mk1 banana]

Hello,
Fault codes would be a big help, as the others have said, and;

do you know if the wiring has been checked an the plug for the lambda sensor (s)

And as someone else also said- are they fitting Bosch sensors? Vag vehicles DON'T like cheap and cheerful ones, they would probably tolerate 'NGK' but Bosch is best.

(Also, I wonder if they have tried both lambda s, although the second (post cat sensor) might not make a difference, but would cause the light to come on
Might need that last bit confirmed by someone)

It does Sound as if the mixture is not right- hence their conclusion on lambda sensor- (which basically tells the ecu (cars computer, If you like) what the mixture is.)

Other things to be checked are

Mass air flow meter/ air mass flow sensor

Boost / vacuum leaks

Engine coolant temperature sensor
(When they pack up, they cause excess fuel to be put in, upsetting the mixture, and thus, upsetting the lambda) and can make them run bad.

One more thang that would be a big help:
An emissions test- like the one for mot's
While the car is playing up...

Hope this helps,
Reece


Made in Spain, made better in England 223.3hp 263.8lbft

 

[Mk1 banana]

Hello,
Fault codes would be a big help, as the others have said, and;

do you know if the wiring has been checked an the plug for the lambda sensor (s)

And as someone else also said- are they fitting Bosch sensors? Vag vehicles DON'T like cheap and cheerful ones, they would probably tolerate 'NGK' but Bosch is best.

(Also, I wonder if they have tried both lambda s, although the second (post cat sensor) might not make a difference, but would cause the light to come on
Might need that last bit confirmed by someone)

It does Sound as if the mixture is not right- hence their conclusion on lambda sensor- (which basically tells the ecu (cars computer, If you like) what the mixture is.)

Other things to be checked are

Mass air flow meter/ air mass flow sensor

Boost / vacuum leaks

Engine coolant temperature sensor
(When they pack up, they cause excess fuel to be put in, upsetting the mixture, and thus, upsetting the lambda) and can make them run bad.

One more thang that would be a big help:
An emissions test- like the one for mot's
While the car is playing up...

Hope this helps,
Reece


Made in Spain, made better in England 223.3hp 263.8lbft

 

[SexySeat]

Got some codes

Thanks guys

I've been to the garage this morning and got some codes for you. Not sure if the first code is even relevant but the second looks more like it..

Let me know your thoughts please guys, really want this problem sorted finally

17705 PRESSURE DROP BETWEEN TURBO AND THROTTLE VALVE

17545 FUEL TRIM BANK 1 (ODD) SYSTEM TOO RICH.. P1137 INTERMITTENT


xx

 

[BEEFYGTI]

17705 sounds like a boost leak. . Check from the airbox/filter down and the surrounding pipes. You may have a split

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4

 

[akchappers]

I don't think that's the lambda at all! Something else is causing them to self destruct! And If I were you I'd tell them to fix the problem free of charge too! It's been 3 times and they haven't cured the fault!
My guess too is a split pipe.
And check as above on make of lambda
Ak

 

[andy.morgan]

17545 FUEL TRIM BANK 1 (ODD) SYSTEM TOO RICH.. P1137 INTERMITTENT That's a leak, probably in the PCV system....... SMOKE TEST!!

 

[PSX]

I doubt that a split in boost or PCV pipes would be causing it to want to stall at the lights?

For me, fuel too rich/too lean would be MAF or lambda.

The thing to do is to clear the codes, run the car and see what comes back - if you disconnect the MAF sensor, does the running improve? This is a big sensor fitted in-line with the trunking that comes off the airbox - disconnect the plug and drive the car for a few miles (don't leave it disconnected permanently) and see how you get on.

As mentioned before, aftermarket lambda probes (and MAF sensors) don't play well with the Bosch system.


Hope this helps,

Alex

 

[LEE69]

17705 is a known glitch in the software. A smoke test would confirm a leak or not.

 

[nathan_20vt]

Thanks guys

I've been to the garage this morning and got some codes for you. Not sure if the first code is even relevant but the second looks more like it..

Let me know your thoughts please guys, really want this problem sorted finally

17705 PRESSURE DROP BETWEEN TURBO AND THROTTLE VALVE

17545 FUEL TRIM BANK 1 (ODD) SYSTEM TOO RICH.. P1137 INTERMITTENT


xx

Hi mate, the first code you got could indicate a leak somewhere in the vacuum system, faulty dump valve or something like that. Smoke test will help identify this. The second code is bought up because the system recognises that the car is running rich so throws a code up which is why your garage replaced the lambda sensor. Not saying this is your problem but if I was you my next move would be a smoke test. Hope this helps

 

[akchappers]

I'd still take it back to the garage and say I paid to fix the problem and it isn't! Refund me!
Ak

 

[SexySeat]

Big Help! Cheers lads xxx

Thanks alot guys, you've been a big help

I've spoken to a guy i know from back home, he's agreed with all your comments and he's gonna smoke test it and help me find the problem..

I'll probs head down there in a couple of weeks so i'll keep you all updated on his findings. At least if i know what it is i can go back to the garage and say.."Here's ya problem, now fix it"

I'd probably take my car elsewhere, only they've done a lot of pricey work to that car, including a new clutch which i paid the owner under the table for.. so i can't really complain haha.

Thanks again lads xx