tildastorm1

Seat Ateca engine issues

Alright, I'm starting to get really annoyed. My 2018 Seat Ateca with a gasoline engine is giving me headaches. The engine light keeps popping up, and the car jerks when accelerating. I'm also hearing a whistling noise, and a loud hissing sound when I put my foot down. Sometimes the engine even stalls at idle. Fuel consumption is up, and power is down. I suspect it's the boost pressure sensor. Could a defective cable or plug connection of the component be the cause?

4 comment(s)

Sounds like a boost pressure issue alright. I had similar symptoms on my old Vauxhall Astra – engine light, jerky acceleration, the whole shebang. The hissing noise is a classic sign of a leak somewhere in the turbo system, usually a split hose or a faulty sensor. The engine light is triggered because the ECU (Engine Control Unit, the car's computer) detects that the actual boost pressure doesn't match what it's expecting. Have you checked the hoses going to and from the turbo and intercooler for any cracks or loose connections? Also, give the pressure sensor connector a wiggle and see if anything changes, maybe it's just a bad connection. The intake manifold could also be the culprit, though it's less common.

Thanks for the quick reply! When you say 'pressure sensor connector', are you referring to the one connected directly to the boost pressure sensor on the intake manifold? And regarding the hoses, is there a specific one that's known to be problematic? I've visually inspected them, but it's hard to tell if there's a small crack.

Yep, the connector I'm talking about is the one plugged directly into the boost pressure sensor, usually located somewhere on the intake manifold. Give it a good look for corrosion or damage. As for specific hoses, it really depends, but the ones closest to the turbo system are usually the first to go because of the heat and pressure. If you can't find anything obvious, it might be worth taking it to a workshop to get it smoke tested. They pump smoke into the intake system and can easily spot any leaks. It sounds like you've got a handle on things, but with those symptoms, you really don't want to risk damaging the turbo system any further.

Just wanted to report back. It was indeed the boost pressure sensor, or more specifically, the wiring harness leading to it. Seems like it had become brittle and cracked. The workshop replaced the faulty section of the wiring and the sensor itself just to be safe. Total cost was 95€. Runs like new now, thanks for the advice!

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