Leon 2.0TDI 140BHP Limp Mode / Turbo

bobak

Opinionated non-mechanic
May 15, 2008
203
0
Turbo being changed tomorrow and weirdly the cars not gone into limp mode once since I bought it two weeks ago!!
The car has been juddering a tiny bit and fuel consumptions not great. Hopefully turbo will fix those. Might also do the EGR mod with the Ibiza gasket too, think that might fix the judder.

Will report back...at great expense!
 

bobak

Opinionated non-mechanic
May 15, 2008
203
0
Well I've got a new turbo fitted. Absolutely brand new from garret, fitted, with new oil feed and return pipes, new fuel filter, oil filter and oil.
Cars running beautifully, consumptions a bit low but apparently I need to reset to ecu :)
 

bobak

Opinionated non-mechanic
May 15, 2008
203
0
Well I think so...just that I can't seem to get more than 41-42mpg. Sitting at 80 I get about 39-40mpg. When i got the car I was doing between 47-51mpg. Not sure what's affecting it. Maybe I just need to reset the ecu, maybe it's the maf. Will give the first option a go tomorrow :)
 

johnnybb2000

Active Member
Mar 4, 2015
5
0
Hi,

Sorry to open up this thread again however, I have absolutely the exact same problem with the exact same car. I don't think I can afford a new turbo, was is the best approach?

Anyone?

Differences are mine has 115k but, I do the same 40mile journey each day, same patterns... I thought I had written the initial Post myself - drunk - and couldn't remember doing it!! :)

Any help would be appreciated.

Oh, did you ever get your economy sorted? Chances are he has long since sold his car, so anyone with similar experiences in 2015?

All the best from the newbie with a limp!!

John
 

bobak

Opinionated non-mechanic
May 15, 2008
203
0
Hey. I don't own the car any more... But. I did get the turbo changed for a new one. That included new send/return oil pipes (are they pipes?? Lol) and a full service at the same time. Completely fixed the problem and all associated issues. Car ran like a dream from that moment onwards including consumption. I looked into ways to avoid changing the turbo including cleaning it, additives etc and the more people I spoke to (which was a lot), the more I realised that I would spend more time and money trying not to replace the turbo than just doing it. I was so glad I did too.
I started with a quote from SEAT which was around th £3000+ mark, then I shopped around, read reviews and reports and things and settled with "Turbo Dynamics" down in Dorset. I didn't go there, they sold me an OEM Honeywell (Garrett) replacement turbo and delivered/picked up everything. Original part, brand new and identical... They took back my old turbo and gave me money for that too. So in the end I paid around £750 for the new turbo, got back £150 making it about £600 and my mechanic charged me about £250 for all the parts and labour, so it cost me around £850 in the end and I was very pleased with both Turbo Dynamics and my mechanic. Car was terrific after that and I miss her. Just for the record that was at around 68,000 miles which I found shocking for a turbo but hey.
Hope that helps.
 

wolfmother

Wolfmother
Aug 17, 2014
46
0
Kent
bobak - Sorry to read about how much of a pain you went through to get this sorted but thanks for sharing this info with us all, much appreciated.

I'm suffering from overboost on my Leon as well, exactly the same as yours but it's a 56 plate and has only done 60K.
Did your car suffer with overboost for a while before the warning light popped up and limp mode kicked in??
I've had mine just over 6 months now and has been overboosting since I got it, sounds like I'm running a dump valve with an open cone when I change gear whilst on boost, it dumps REALLY loud. (No warning light or limp mode although the fault does pop up on diagnostics) :blink:

Still drives fine, easily returns 50mpg and pulls like a train
 

eande2

Active Member
Sep 28, 2009
23
0
John, have you had it scanned?

My leon would go into limp mode when under load (eg up a hill/trying to overtake), but this was due to "low boost pressure" - turbo actuator had got stuck. Mine mainly does longer journeys, but it seems a fairly common problem as Seat/VW now sell just the actuator part (to save having to replace the full turbo) -I think part cost was about £135, but about 4hours to fit.
 
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johnnybb2000

Active Member
Mar 4, 2015
5
0
My goodness,

I am new to the forum and was really surpised at the number of kind people replying with very valuable words of wisdom. Thank you very much indeed.

So, maybe it sounds like I am putting off the inevitable - replacement turbo. I will save the pennys... although, from what you say, the £850 seems such good value for money. A lot of expertise, engineering and "mechanicing". Like you say; look at the Seat quote and, whilst it might put a stamp in your book and a record for the work, Turbo Technics are legendary in my view. I remember getting a conversion done to my Sierra XR4i in 1991... Got back from the Gulf War and had too much money... But, that's another story!!! :)

No, I haven't had my car scanned. I actually bought a bluetooth plug-in which I was going to do it myself however, software was rubbish and wasn't able to connect via Bluetooth and cannot get it anywhere without paying again. It was the "BlueSoleil" software - Anyone got it??.

Ok, my next plan is to get it scanned to see errors and I will check back.

Again, really appreciate replies and assistance - I luv me Seat... And me Seat luvs me.... Just wish she'd sort out her Limp!!! :)

All the best.

John
 
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