Seeking Advice on Trouble with 2021 Seat Tarraco - Black Smoke, Power Loss, Poor Fuel Economy and Exhaust Smell Issues

Hey there! I had a very similar issue on my 2019 Seat Leon. Not a car guru, but have some experience with cars and fixes. Turned out it was my Fuel pressure regulator having gone kaput. I'd suspected the fuel system cause of the same symptoms you're having - black smoke, awful fuel economy, etc. To have it sorted, I took my Leon to a trusted local workshop. Not gonna lie, gave my wallet a bit of a dent - cost me around 250 Euro. But trust me, better cough up that cash than let it worsen. As for your Tarraco, I'd need more details before I could give you a more accurate advice. Can you share the vehicle's mileage and maintenance history? It could help pin down the problem. Good luck!

Hey, thanks for the response. My Tarraco just hit 147,513 km on the odometer. The last service was about two months ago, everything was running smoothly until this issue crept up. Never had any problems with the fuel system before. Seems like I might need to get that fuel pressure regulator checked out. Just dreading the potential dent in the wallet, you know? Appreciate the advice though, cheers!

Hey, no problem at all! Ah, just crossed the 145k mark, ay? See, fuel pressure regulators tend to start showing symptoms around this mileage. And given the symptoms you’ve shared, it’s pretty likely you’re dealing with a dodgy fuel pressure regulator. You could do a bit of DIY diagnosis before hitting the workshop. When the car is cold, turn the key to 'on' without starting the engine. Listen out for a buzzing sound from the backseat- this might indicate a fuel pump issue. If the car struggles to start after this, it could be a fuel pressure problem for sure. Either way, I'd get it checked ASAP. Might be an ouch for the wallet, but ignoring it can lead to engine damage, and that's a whole 'nother world of pain, trust me. Best of luck with it! Keep us posted!

Hey again, thanks for the DIY diagnosis tip. I tried it out and there was definitely a strange buzzing sound. Looks like it's the fuel pressure regulator after all, huh? Not thrilled about the expense, but you're right - better to get it sorted now than face potentially worse costs down the line. I'll get it to the garage first thing tomorrow. Really appreciate your help. I'll keep you guys updated once I've got it fixed. Cheers!