What could be causing our SEAT Alhambra to struggle on mountain roads?

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

What could be causing our SEAT Alhambra to struggle on mountain roads?

The last two years have seen us drive to our holidays in Southern France and Spain in our 2004 SEAT Alhambra TDI 130. The journeys have been uneventful, apart from a particular section of the Massif central (above 2,500ft) when the engine suddenly loses power and will barely get above 30mph. Stopping and starting again would clear the problem for a while, but it only got better when we got out of the mountains. Since then, and between trips the problem disappears. The garage can't find any errors on the car's computer. Any suggestions that may reassure my wife before this year's holiday?

Asked on 3 April 2011 by DM, Hove

Answered by Honest John

If this happens while ascending it could simply be that the turbo is overheating because it is working too hard but the car is not going fast enough to cool it sufficiently (it will probably be glowing cherry red). The answer is to stop and leave the engine idling for 2-5 minutes in order to allow the engine oil circulating through the turbo bearing to cool it down relatively.

Tags: loss of power overheating turbo engines

Similar questions

What's causing my Rover 75 to overheat when towing?

My 2002 Rover 75 CDT has been a good car for me over the past eight years but is now suffering from an overheating problem when towing my caravan. It was fine when I towed to Norfolk in April, but I had...

Should I idle my Mondeo 1/6 EcoBoost turbo even after short trips?

Thank you for recommending the Mondeo 1.6 EcoBoost. Your review advises "1.6 EcoBoosts need idling from hot before switching off otherwise oil in the turbo bearing and oil feed to the bearing can carbonise....

Does my Ford Galaxy have a turbocharger fault?

I pull a large caravan with my 2006 Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDI 115ps, within towing regulations. In France on a long hill, not overly steep, there was a big drop in power - it felt like the turbo dropped out....

Related models