PLEASE HELP!!!!! Problems with 2001 LEON SE TDi

[Rizwan.Din]

Hi All

I purchased my Leon about 3 months ago and its been great

However, Now iv got some problems.

The first main problem is the power loss. I took it on the Dual Carriage way the other day and as soon as it 75mph, power went (as in the car stopped picking up speed). My foot was flat on the floor but still nothing. I stopped at the services and gave the car a couple of minutes and tried again but still the same. No Idea what it could be.

Secondly, I have to top up the Coolant reservoir at least once a week. I thought it might be a leak so I left the car running placed card board underneath but I could not see any leaks.

And finally when I am driving second or third gear for a long period of time, it starts to misfire.

Any ideas or resolutions would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you

Regards

Riz

 

[sssstew]

first problem - could be sticky turbo vanes or a boost leak. Dead common. Any smoke out the back? But im suspecting sticky vanes by the age of the car. Theres loads about this in the tdi section have a look back through.

Coolant - how low does it go if you leave it?

 

[benhampshire]

Might worth having the ecu read for any fault codes.

As above sticky vanes could be an issue best to give it a harsh run up a hill using the gears that will exercise the turbo.

I'm not 100% though if the 110 using the variable vane tech... need someone with more knowledge on that.

No power at all - was there any black smoke, pops or other nosies or did it just not go?

Does it idle smoothly... if not could be a faulty MAF try unplugging it and if it idles better than its the MAF

Loss of collant is worry if there are no drips, have you check the oil to ensure theres no 'white cream' forming around the filler? Likewise have you check the remaining coolant for any oily deposits in the water as it could be a head gasket issue.

I might be drastic here but it shouldn't really use water or certainly not a lot.

Is the problem re-occuring or intermittent?

 

[Rizwan.Din]

first problem - could be sticky turbo vanes or a boost leak. Dead common. Any smoke out the back? But im suspecting sticky vanes by the age of the car. Theres loads about this in the tdi section have a look back through.

Coolant - how low does it go if you leave it?

Hi mate

I only get black smoke if i rev it over 3500revs

After 3 or days of driving, the lred light on the temp gage starts flashing. I do between 250 and 300miles a week due to work.

 

[Rizwan.Din]

Might worth having the ecu read for any fault codes.

As above sticky vanes could be an issue best to give it a harsh run up a hill using the gears that will exercise the turbo.

I'm not 100% though if the 110 using the variable vane tech... need someone with more knowledge on that.

No power at all - was there any black smoke, pops or other nosies or did it just not go?

Does it idle smoothly... if not could be a faulty MAF try unplugging it and if it idles better than its the MAF

Loss of collant is worry if there are no drips, have you check the oil to ensure theres no 'white cream' forming around the filler? Likewise have you check the remaining coolant for any oily deposits in the water as it could be a head gasket issue.

I might be drastic here but it shouldn't really use water or certainly not a lot.

Is the problem re-occuring or intermittent?

No Power- there is black smoke but only when i go over 3500revs

it seems to idle fine. It don't jump revs low rev at all

Alot of people have told me about the Head issue which is really worryin me. I had to scrap my first ever car because of a head gasket problem.

Because i travel between 250 to 300 mails a week due to work, im toping the water up every 3-4 days

 

[oldman]

3-4 days is not good. sounds like a leak somewhere.
check all pipes are attached correctly in case of boost leak, hence black smoke.

what do you mean:??
After 3 or days of driving, the lred light on the temp gage starts flashing

thought this flashed in the morning when cold and beeps 3times, coolant level is low or prongs need a clean.

 

[Rizwan.Din]

3-4 days is not good. sounds like a leak somewhere.
check all pipes are attached correctly in case of boost leak, hence black smoke.

what do you mean:??
After 3 or days of driving, the lred light on the temp gage starts flashing

thought this flashed in the morning when cold and beeps 3times, coolant level is low or prongs need a clean.

LOL

Sorry mate

I meant to say , After 3 or 4 days of driving, the Red Light on the Temp Flashes. When this happens, i check the coolant level and the bottle is near enough empty.

This normally happens in the morning

 

[richellis]

Hi,
I had this today for the first time, no power, but there was no black smoke, nor any funny noises. I pulled over turned the engine off, and when I restarted it was fine.
Any ideas?
Should I get the codes read?

 

[sssstew]

yep get the codes read and see what it thinks was the issue. Probably sticky vanes if no smoke or noise.

 

[zeroSignal]

I had my 110 go into limp mode on two occasions last winter, hasn't happened this winter (touch wood) so far. Took the car out on the motorway and welded my foot to the floor - seemed to clean out some soot and I've not had any problems since - so that might be a good thing to try.

 

[sssstew]

yep the old italian tune up is always a good regular thing to do with a TDI.

 

[richellis]

It happend again and there was a strange ticking noise under the bonnet?

 

[jasengine]

If there is no sign of coolant leaking from the engine bay, is there any sign of white smoke from the exhaust? Could be the head gasket, but the would be signs of it in the oil, but than again it could be leaking into the cylinder(s) and being blown out that way.

Having no power above a serten rpm could be a number of things, like the turbo vains sticking (yes, the 110 does have a VNT turbo) or the intake manifold could be gunked up with sludge due to the EGR system. If it was giving significantly low boost there should be a fault code generated. There are so may little things it could be.

 

[richellis]

Its deffo not the head gasket. can it be cleaned with some of that engine cleaner?

 

[MrBen2k7]

Hi,
I had this today for the first time, no power, but there was no black smoke, nor any funny noises. I pulled over turned the engine off, and when I restarted it was fine.
Any ideas?
Should I get the codes read?

MAF.... I had to change mine today

 

[richellis]

Thanks. Ill pop up midVW and get Jody to read the codes tomorrow.
ta

 

[adiniwasi]

Rizwan

I had issues with my turbo a while back. Diesel specialist said it was the variable vanes sticking in my 110 tdi turbo. Recommended a replacement for 600 squid! but instead I got it cleaned out with an Innotec solution and not had any problems since!

To test the turbo you should create the maximum pressure scenario in the system - sitting at 3000 revs in 3rd gear going up a hill floor it and if the engine management system shuts the car into limp mode you know you could have a turbo problem (once you restart the car the turbo should work again).

It sounds like there's more going on though in your case, the coolant issue is deffo a worry. If the water ain't coming out the bottom of the car then it's getting into the system somehow and that's never a good thing.