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DanBriegel

Seeking Advice on Seat Tarraco's Performance Issues and Exhaust Smell

Hey fellow gearheads, Wonder if you could help me clear some doubts I've got with my ride. I'm running a 2023 Seat Tarraco, gasoline gig with a decent mileage of about 177860 KM. Lately though, my ride hasn't been as smooth as it should be. I'm getting a fair share of problems like dark smoke whenever I step on the gas, and a check engine sign that doesn't go away. My cold starts have been longer than usual too, not to mention power loss in the engine and a bit of a jerk when I accelerate. Oh, and my fuel economy's taken a hit, worse than normal, if you know what I mean? Plus, I've been noticing a pretty strong smell from the exhaust. Could this be something to do with a lean mixture control? Anybody ever run into something similar? I'd love to hear about how you guys sorted it out - especially if you recommend a trusty mechanic. Had a bad run in with the last one I went to, so open to some good recommendations here! Thanks a bunch,

Summary of the thread

A 2023 Seat Tarraco is experiencing performance issues, including dark smoke from the exhaust, a persistent check engine light, prolonged cold starts, power loss, and a strong exhaust smell. These symptoms suggest a potential problem with the fuel mixture control, possibly due to a defective injector. A similar issue was resolved by replacing the injector, which improved vehicle performance and eliminated the symptoms. Seeking a skilled mechanic, particularly one familiar with Seat vehicles, is recommended to address the root cause effectively.

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4 comment(s)

TomBerg

Hey there, Your situation sounds pretty similar to an issue I had with my 2025 Seat Ateca, so I reckon I might be of some assistance. Just like yours, my car started giving off dark smoke from the exhaust, and the check engine light simply wouldn't turn off. The power loss was notable, especially during acceleration, and cold starts felt like an eternity. To top it off, I was smelling something funky from the exhaust. I, too, initially thought it had something to do with the mixture control, but turns out, it was actually a defective injector. The injector essentially controls how much fuel goes into the engine. When it malfunctions, it can either starve the engine of fuel or flood it, resulting in all the symptoms you're experiencing. As for a good mechanic, I went to this small garage on the outskirts of town (the owner, Pete, is a total wiz with Seat cars). They fixed the injector issue. It was a fairly complex job I must tell you, because these parts are intricate and needs proper handling otherwise it could create other issues down the line. But after replacement and a good tune-up, my ride was back to its smooth self. No smoke, no weird smells, and not a single flicker of the check engine light. Hopefully, it's the same solution for you too, best of luck getting it sorted! Cheers,

DanBriegel (community.author)

Hey there, Thanks a ton for the info. Your poor Ateca sounds exactly like the hardships my Tarraco is going through right now. I've never really considered a defective injector could be the culprit. That sounds like a pretty intense fix, but hey, if it gets my ride purring like a kitten again, I'm all for it. Really appreciate the mechanic suggestion as well. It's good to know there's someone out there that knows their way around a Seat. Right now, I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag with this thing. Quick question, do you happen to recall how much you ended up paying for that injector fix? Also, has there been any pesky related issues pop up since? Cheers,

TomBerg

Hey there, Ah, indeed, the similarity between what my Ateca went through and your Tarraco's woes is striking! To answer your question, having the defective injector replaced set me back around 515 Euro. It wasn't the cheapest repair, but genuinely speaking, it was worth every penny considering how smooth my ride turned out afterwards. And yep, you bet, right after the mechanic worked his magic on my Ateca, it's been driving like a dream again. With the issue of that lean mixture control error now taken care of, I haven't had a single problem since. No additional smoke or unpleasant smells, and my fuel economy is a lot healthier too. Pete really knows his stuff, rest assured! I'd say the trick here is to make sure you deal with the root problem rather than masking the symptoms. This remedial fix nipped it in the bud and ensured no related issues popped up afterwards. In my experience, the upfront costs of fixing the actual problem far outweigh dealing with a persistent string of related issues down the line. Best of luck with your Tarraco! Cheers

DanBriegel (community.author)

Hey there, Ah, fantastic! Thanks for sharing your experience and breaking down the costs. 515 Euro is a little hefty, but if it gets the old gal working like she used to, I reckon it'll be well worth it. Good to hear there's been no nasty surprises since your fix. I think you're spot-on with dealing with the root of the problem. The last thing I want is to cheap out now and have more issues pop up later. I’ll be heading down to Pete with my Tarraco and fingers crossed he works his magic on it just like he did on your Ateca. I'll let you know how everything goes! Thanks again, you've been incredibly helpful! Chat soon. Cheers,

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SEAT

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TARRACO