Leon Cupra-General rant and help needed
Discussion
Hello all, first time as an OP, please be gentle!
I have a '51 Leon Cupra, I bought it six months ago, high-ish miles (140k), but full documented dealer service history, apart from the last service which was done by an independent. It's giving me nothing but trouble. Within a week of ownership, the back box started rattling, usually at idle, had it welded back into place for its MOT, within days it's rattling again. Engine management light comes on for a while, then off for a day or to, then on again; a faulty injector is the alledged culprit according to VAGcom, regular supplements of injector cleaner keep this in check, although it's still spluttery and uneven.
ABS and traction control lights come on every now and then, it's a very rare day where there isn't at least one warning light ablaze.
Prior to purchase I did my homework on the common faults that these cars suffer, something I always do before shopping. Until now, though, I've never had ALL the common faults manifest themselves on a single car (and within the first 6 months of ownership!). Indicator failure? Check! Replaced the relay, Smell of petrol? Check! Taped up the fractured hose, but still not completely cured, leaky doors? Check! Took the door panels off and applied sealant around the ancilliary carrier, seems to have worked. However, one week later and now I have a boot leak, hooray! I haven't had coil pack failure yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time...
Which leads me to my request for help. How do I fix the leaky boot? I've searched the usual forums, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for, which is, ideally a guide (pictorial would be ideal) on how to fix it. The boot carpet is dry after a downfall, but things in the boot are getting wet, I'm going to investigate the rear washer pipe and the light clusters. Is it just a case of tightening connections/putting sealant on? Or is it more involved?
(Rant begins now)
It beggars belief that a major manufacturer with decades experience of building cars can't produce a car that doesn't leak in the rain. I've had many other marques before and, barring leaky sunroofs, have never had a car that isn't able to withstand even a moderate downpour without filling up with water, every day it's taking me 5-10 minutes of sitting with the engine idling and fans on just to demist the condensation before I can see enough to actually see where I'm going-ridiculous!
It's now, officially, the most troublesome car I've ever owned, and I've previously owned a Lada Riva! That should give you some idea how *issed off I am right now! Why do VAG group cars have such a good reputation? Beats me...
Anyhoo, rant over, if anyone has any advice regarding the boot leak problem it would be much appreciated, or if anyone would like to come and set fire to it so I can claim on the insurance, please let me know! (I'll provide the matches).
Thanks all, as you were......
I should also add, it never idles properly, and the nearside washer jet is blocked, despite trying everything in my (admittedly limited)know-how to unblock it, any ideas? And I'm replacing blown bulbs at an alarming rate, is that normal?
I have a '51 Leon Cupra, I bought it six months ago, high-ish miles (140k), but full documented dealer service history, apart from the last service which was done by an independent. It's giving me nothing but trouble. Within a week of ownership, the back box started rattling, usually at idle, had it welded back into place for its MOT, within days it's rattling again. Engine management light comes on for a while, then off for a day or to, then on again; a faulty injector is the alledged culprit according to VAGcom, regular supplements of injector cleaner keep this in check, although it's still spluttery and uneven.
ABS and traction control lights come on every now and then, it's a very rare day where there isn't at least one warning light ablaze.
Prior to purchase I did my homework on the common faults that these cars suffer, something I always do before shopping. Until now, though, I've never had ALL the common faults manifest themselves on a single car (and within the first 6 months of ownership!). Indicator failure? Check! Replaced the relay, Smell of petrol? Check! Taped up the fractured hose, but still not completely cured, leaky doors? Check! Took the door panels off and applied sealant around the ancilliary carrier, seems to have worked. However, one week later and now I have a boot leak, hooray! I haven't had coil pack failure yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time...
Which leads me to my request for help. How do I fix the leaky boot? I've searched the usual forums, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for, which is, ideally a guide (pictorial would be ideal) on how to fix it. The boot carpet is dry after a downfall, but things in the boot are getting wet, I'm going to investigate the rear washer pipe and the light clusters. Is it just a case of tightening connections/putting sealant on? Or is it more involved?
(Rant begins now)
It beggars belief that a major manufacturer with decades experience of building cars can't produce a car that doesn't leak in the rain. I've had many other marques before and, barring leaky sunroofs, have never had a car that isn't able to withstand even a moderate downpour without filling up with water, every day it's taking me 5-10 minutes of sitting with the engine idling and fans on just to demist the condensation before I can see enough to actually see where I'm going-ridiculous!
It's now, officially, the most troublesome car I've ever owned, and I've previously owned a Lada Riva! That should give you some idea how *issed off I am right now! Why do VAG group cars have such a good reputation? Beats me...
Anyhoo, rant over, if anyone has any advice regarding the boot leak problem it would be much appreciated, or if anyone would like to come and set fire to it so I can claim on the insurance, please let me know! (I'll provide the matches).
Thanks all, as you were......
I should also add, it never idles properly, and the nearside washer jet is blocked, despite trying everything in my (admittedly limited)know-how to unblock it, any ideas? And I'm replacing blown bulbs at an alarming rate, is that normal?
Edited by Track Rod on Tuesday 2nd October 23:08
Edited by Track Rod on Tuesday 2nd October 23:13
Hi guys! What a response, you're a very helpful bunch. My original post was written whilst a little #issed (in the British and American sense!). Judging from the tone of some (well, one) response, you're clearly an enthusiast of the brand, and it certainly wasn't my intention to upset anyone. The Cupra is great, I was just frustrated after having just spent a few hours in the cold removing door panels and fixing the door leak, only to be presented with a new problem (the boot leak).
My post was intended as a cry for sympathy along the lines of "guys, I've bought a used car and I'm having lots of problems!".
I do, of course, accept that this is the chance you take with old cars, it's just that I've always had very old/high mileage cars, but I've never before had so many problems in so short a time, perhaps I've just been lucky. It is perfectly reasonable to expect a relay to fail in an 11 year old car. The point I was trying to make was that it's frustrating to have problems as rudimentary as water leaks/broken indicators from a manufacturer of such stature and experience as VAG. So please accept my humbles.
I am, as you correctly deduce, a cheapskate! I thought that was the whole spirit of bangernomics/PH? I could, as you point out, just fix it, but my mechanical skills are limited, so I'd be at the mercy of a garage to fix things like injectors, and I don't want to end up spending a load on repairs. It was, after all, a cheap car.
Condition wise, the car is immaculate inside and out, came with a full, documented history, expensive, matching tyres (Toyos) all round and an expensive after market stereo. Three previous, the most recent being a middle aged lady, so it didn't exactly set the 'prior neglect/bodgery' alarm bells ringing (although I accept that some degree of turd polishing may have occurred before I went to view it).
Anyhoo, in response to your questions, I don't know how much the exhaust weld cost, the garage did it as part of the pre-MOT work, and so far I've spent about $15 on injector cleaner (in 6 months) so you can perhaps understand my reluctance to start replacing injectors, which seem to range from $20 for reconditioned to $90 for brand new (it is the AUQ engine btw).
Thanks ever so much for your tips on the boot leak, I'll try them this weekend! If it doesn't rain!
I'll let you know how I get on!
Rod
...oh, and I'll try and stay away from the plains!!!
My post was intended as a cry for sympathy along the lines of "guys, I've bought a used car and I'm having lots of problems!".
I do, of course, accept that this is the chance you take with old cars, it's just that I've always had very old/high mileage cars, but I've never before had so many problems in so short a time, perhaps I've just been lucky. It is perfectly reasonable to expect a relay to fail in an 11 year old car. The point I was trying to make was that it's frustrating to have problems as rudimentary as water leaks/broken indicators from a manufacturer of such stature and experience as VAG. So please accept my humbles.
I am, as you correctly deduce, a cheapskate! I thought that was the whole spirit of bangernomics/PH? I could, as you point out, just fix it, but my mechanical skills are limited, so I'd be at the mercy of a garage to fix things like injectors, and I don't want to end up spending a load on repairs. It was, after all, a cheap car.
Condition wise, the car is immaculate inside and out, came with a full, documented history, expensive, matching tyres (Toyos) all round and an expensive after market stereo. Three previous, the most recent being a middle aged lady, so it didn't exactly set the 'prior neglect/bodgery' alarm bells ringing (although I accept that some degree of turd polishing may have occurred before I went to view it).
Anyhoo, in response to your questions, I don't know how much the exhaust weld cost, the garage did it as part of the pre-MOT work, and so far I've spent about $15 on injector cleaner (in 6 months) so you can perhaps understand my reluctance to start replacing injectors, which seem to range from $20 for reconditioned to $90 for brand new (it is the AUQ engine btw).
Thanks ever so much for your tips on the boot leak, I'll try them this weekend! If it doesn't rain!
I'll let you know how I get on!
Rod
...oh, and I'll try and stay away from the plains!!!
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:16
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:17
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:18
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:20
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:22
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:30
Edited by Track Rod on Wednesday 3rd October 20:31
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