paulfrost35

Seat Inca Diesel Engine Trouble

I'm having a problem with my 2001 Seat Inca, diesel engine, with 71588 km on the clock. I suspect a defective intake manifold. The engine jerks when accelerating, the check engine light is on, and there's a noticeable reduction in engine power. It even stalls at idle sometimes, and the engine runs rough with a strong exhaust smell. Error memory shows a relevant error. My theory is that the intake manifold is leaking due to scorching. Am I on the right track here? Is there anything else I should check related to the air intake?

4 comment(s)

Sounds like you're on the right track. I had similar symptoms on my old Volvo C30: jerking, check engine light, loss of power. Did you check the manifold pressure sensor readings? Are they within spec or fluctuating wildly? It could give you another hint if the intake manifold is the root cause.

The manifold pressure sensor readings jump around quite a bit. Did your Volvo also stall at idle? Was the strong exhaust smell also present?

Yes, the Volvo did stall occasionally and had a strong fuel smell, especially when cold. Given your manifold pressure sensor readings and the other symptoms, it strongly suggests a leak. Replacing the intake manifold is likely the solution, though a smoke test can help confirm the leak location beforehand. I'd advise getting a professional diagnosis to be certain, before throwing parts at it. A workshop will pinpoint the problem for sure.

Took the Inca to a shop and they confirmed it was the intake manifold, leaking due to scorching as suspected. Replacement ended up costing 1180€. Thanks for the advice.

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