Troubles with 20VT at 85K

[jwal90]

Hey all,

Happy Friday, hope you've all got something sweet lined up for the weekend (couldn't come sooner for me)!

I've been having some problems with inconsistent power in my Leon 20VT. Some days she's fast as f**k and other days she's running like a pig. Came to a head yesterday when I went to overtake possibly the slowest driver in Britian (in a safe place I might add) and very nearly collided with an oncoming car, which reminds me I need to clean my seats.

I can't quite work out where the problem might be, she's got 85K on the clock and had a service around 70K by the previous owner. The turbo makes a lot of sucking noises but dosen't seem to be doing anything. I had a bit of a race with my bro in his 1.6 golf and there really wasn't much in it so there's no way I've got the full 180 horses.

I figured I'd start with a service which I'm going to do tomorrow, I've got some Mobil 1 0W-40 fully snyth to change with, I'm going to pick up some new sparks and then oil filter, fuel filter etc.

Just wondered if anyone has had similar problems and whether there's anything else I need to replace/inspect/clean?


Cheers,

Jon

 

[cass]

What do you mean by sucking noises? Have you looked at the turbo? EML come on at all? (or anytime recently?)
Does sound like turbo or something related - unless you have black/blue smoke pouring out the car could be going into limp mode - ecu resets this when engine is turned on then off so that would explain the intermittent nature of the problem.

You ought to get under the bonnet and ensure the wastegate/wastegate actuator is clear and sufficiently lubed. The Turbo may need cleaning. You can take the turbo itself off to clean it/inspect for damage to blades or pipes, or you can remove the downpipe section to clean inside with it still in-situ.

Do the oil filter change and flush some fuel treatment through too I would just to rule that out.

 

[Azza_]

lots of sucking noises but not doing much, possible boost leak? also give seat a ring and check if your car was part of the warranty recall on coil packs so you can get 4 new ones

you really need someone in the area with vagcom to possibly log whats going on boost wise and also scan the car for faults

 

[cass]

Also check the pressure solenoid up on the bulkhead - they look a little like washer fluid nozzles. They are boost sensors. Check for obvious signs of damage or wear - could be one that needs replacing although the dirty turbo situation is more likely and it's a very common problem. Think it may have affected diesels more than petrols iirc.?

 

[jwal90]

Cheers all, some helpful advice here, seems that the turbo is the main thing to check on.

Yeah I mean that the turbo makes a lot of noise but dosen't actually seem to pull the car, my brother was the previous owner and I seem to remember it being a whole lot faster.

Just been down to get the service parts, picked up a fuel additive, Jetex or something, supposed to clean the injectors ect so I'll fill her up with Tesco Momentum99 and add that to it.

I've got an ECU warning light on the dash but was told it had something to do with a fuse on the climate control which has a mind of it's own atm. I meant to ask, there aren't any Haynes manuals for the Leon, should I pick up the Golf GTI one?

 

[googujube]

sucking....or blowing?

Check pipes for a leak..

 

[wakko]

As suggested check every single pipe for splits especially those crappy PCV ones under the inlet manifold.

 

[dazjstuart]

0W-40 is not the correct oil for your engine you want 5W-30.

 

[jwal90]

0W-40 is not the correct oil for your engine you want 5W-30.

I looked through some posts on the interwebs and the Mobil1 0W-40 was recommended to someone. Without trying to sound like a complete idiot, is it safe to use this oil?

 

[gus20vt]

deffo sounds like a boost leak, check intercooler hoses etc

 

[jwal90]

Took the engine cover off today and found the problem, it looks like a pretty serious one too:






As you can see the hose is pretty much hanging off. I thought maybe it was the turbo inlet pipe but on inspection it looks more like the crank breather hose. Can someone confirm if I'm right here?

I've got sodding work at 5 and I need to try and replace it before then

 

[blueleon]

That part only costs about £26.00 if I remember, if that's gone you will proberly find that other have too. just take your time easy fixes

 

[googujube]

Mine did that.

Would that necessarily give the symptoms he was describing though?


Just cut it straight off and re-fit with a clamp as a temp fix, if theres enough of it left that is...

 

[seatturbopower]

in my opion if you look after the car the car will look after you,as for the warning light coming on and the reason you was given,ive never heard so much crap.even with the miles on the clock it will have nothing to do with it, these are good engines if treated right and looked after not driven like you stole it, sometimes it will help if you just check over the engine bay every 2 weeks or so just a check over ect,check hoses from the oil cooler as well they can be leaking in some way also

 

[jwal90]

Fitted the new hose today before work, went for a test drive and the hose below it has now decided to leak oil all over the engine, think I'm going to need to replace the whole lot.

I've been a royal tit today on the service, I was in rush as I was running late for work and drained the bloody gearbox oil accidentally made it about 500 yards and realized second gear was making a nasty whirring noise, managed to get it back home and take the girlfriends car. Do you think I might have done any long term damage?

 

[blueleon]

the crank pipe might not cause the issues but I bet other pipes will be the same condition (as the will be the same age ect) get the car diagnosed and see what faults you find. before you replace any sensors check the pipes that go to them for splits, normally under the manifold from my own experience.

 

[akchappers]

Should be ok mate as long as you get oil in it straight away ! Don't leave it sat without any!
And as above. Get the car plugged in. Where are you? If you're anywhere near Salisbury il do it for you.
Probably needs checking and codes clearing off!
Ak

 

[jwal90]

Should be ok mate as long as you get oil in it straight away ! Don't leave it sat without any!
And as above. Get the car plugged in. Where are you? If you're anywhere near Salisbury il do it for you.
Probably needs checking and codes clearing off!
Ak

Yeah I'm about to get cracking on it now, you don't happen to know where the oil goes in do you? Had a quick look last night and couldn't see anything.

Nowhere near unfortunately, I'm Farnham, Surrey. Any idea what an inspection might cost?

 

[cass]

Could have been alot worse than that. Should be grateful it wasnt the turbo that went or something similar.

 

[jwal90]

Had a good look at all the pipes today and everything seems clean except the one I mentioned earlier, I've sealed it up as best I can and I'll order a new one tomorrow.

Took it out for a spin and still the same problem, I can hear the turbo but there's absolutely no power from it. When I replaced the first hose there was a load of sediment built up around the intake, is it possible this has got sucked into the turbo somehow?