victoriaherrmann39

Seat Leon Overheating Issue

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I've got a 2002 Seat Leon with a gasoline engine, currently sitting at 177008 km. Recently, I've noticed the engine overheating, especially during longer drives. Also, it takes a very long time for the engine to reach its normal operating temperature. I'm suspecting a defective thermostat, specifically the map-controlled thermostat, based on what I've read. I've checked the coolant level, and it seems fine. No visible leaks anywhere. Could this be related to the water pump as well? I'm trying to get an idea of what I'm facing before I take it to a workshop, as I've heard the eventual repair cost might be around 350€. Any thoughts or experiences?

4 comment(s)

I had a similar issue with my old Renault Megane a few years back. Engine overheating, slow to warm up, the whole shebang. Did you check the temperature sensor? It might be faulty and sending incorrect readings, which could also cause these symptoms. It's worth a look before you go tearing into the cooling system.

Thanks for the quick reply. Regarding the temperature sensor, is there a way to test it, or is it more of a process of elimination? I've got a multimeter, so I could check the resistance if I knew what values to look for. Also, did you end up replacing the water pump when you had the thermostat issue on your Megane?

No problem. I didn't test the temperature sensor directly, to be honest. In my case, the mechanic suspected the thermostat first, and replacing it solved the problem. The water pump was fine, so I didn't need to replace it. Given your symptoms and the mileage, a faulty thermostat is a strong possibility. If you're not comfortable diagnosing it yourself, it might be best to take it to a workshop. They can run proper diagnostics and pinpoint the exact issue.

Took the Leon to a trusted mechanic. It was indeed the thermostat causing the overheating and slow warm-up, as suspected. They replaced the thermostat and also checked the water pump as a precaution – thankfully, it was still in good shape. Total cost came to around 350€, which is what I was expecting. Thanks for the input; it helped me narrow down the problem and be prepared for the repair.

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