Vibrating uphill and from start

Hi,

My seat Ibiza 2011 Tsi is struggling from a start and uphill. I took it to a mechanic and they claimed to have fixed it but it’s definitely not fixed. I don’t what the problem is.
It seems ok at higher speed but it’s very slow and noisy from a start. Thought it might be an issue with catalytic converter but I’m basically pretty clueless about cars. I know the mechanic said the screws for the engine air filter were so rusted he couldn’t access it but I’m not sure a clogged air filter could cause this problem. Any advice would greatly appreciated because I really need my car and can’t really afford to keep throwing money at the problem.

Thanks in advance

Is the check engine light on? How many kilometers on this? Is the Tsi a petrol engine or diesel?

This is mostly a US forum and Seats are not sold here but they are VAG cars smilar to VW and Audi sold here. Answer back and we’ll try to help.

Sorry.

It’s a petrol engine used in VW and Skoda cars too. I think VW own seats so the parts are the same.

It’s got 141,000 miles on it so I guess about 220,000 kilometres. I think there’s a coolant leak too and I’ve had replace the spark plugs too because of misfiring.

No check engine light but something is definitely wrong.

A mechanic that can’t drill out a rusted screw? Either he is not much of a mechanic or he just did not want to mess with your vehicle. You need a better shop.

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Found a very similar post that said it turned out to be the clutch but it was for an automatic and mine’s a manual. the more you press the accelerator down the worse the vibration is when accelerating from a stop.

You need a compression test. I think you have a bad head gasket. I am quite surprised there has been no check engine light… but stranger things have happened.

Agree with @VOLVO-V70 You need to find a better mechanic.

Hmm, I’d guess the car is in the UK? Miles, not Km! :wink:

Agreed! I was surprised, I won’t be going back. I think he said he ran a compression test and there was a slight misfire so he replace the spark plugs

I’m thinking its a worn out clutch. Good shops will know easy ways to test it.

As far as the mechanic, its possible the mechanic did fix something, but not what you wanted fixed b/c they aren’t actually understanding your complaint. Suggest you and mechanic go together for a test drive, then when the symptoms show up you can point them out. Then they’ll be no doubt what you want fixed.

If it is a bad head gasket would it be a terrible idea to use a head gasket sealant? Looks like an expensive repair and I’m not sure it makes sense for an old car.

He did take it for a test drive after he said he couldn’t see an issue. He said it was clear once he tried it on a hill.

Struggling from a start and under load (uphill) can come from lots of things. But one is ignition problems. You’ve already had misfiring and replaced the plugs. I don’t know this engine’s ignition system, but I’ll assume it uses either coil on plug or a coil pack. If a coil pack, then it also has spark plug wires. Whichever the case may be, is all of that original? It’s worth a look.

Any shop should be able to do a “block test” to see about a head gasket. Compression and/or leak down tests would also be of use.

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There may be a problem with one of the clutch disc torsion springs.

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A clutch plate torsional coil spring serves several important functions in a vehicle’s clutch system:

  1. Vibration Dampening: The primary function of the torsional coil spring is to absorb and dampen vibrations that occur during engine operation. This helps to reduce noise and improve the overall comfort of the ride.
  2. Torque Management: The coil spring helps manage and distribute torque between the engine and transmission. It allows for smoother engagement and disengagement of the clutch, which is crucial for preventing abrupt changes in power delivery.
  3. Flexibility: The torsional coil spring provides a degree of flexibility, allowing the clutch plate to move slightly in response to engine vibrations and torque fluctuations. This flexibility helps to prevent wear and tear on the clutch components and the drivetrain.
  4. Improved Engagement: By controlling the engagement and disengagement of the clutch, the torsional coil spring contributes to smoother operation, reducing the likelihood of stalling or jerking during gear shifts.

Overall, the torsional coil spring is an essential component that enhances the performance and longevity of the clutch system in a vehicle.

Tester

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I was thinking this last night. I believe my car has a dual mass flywheel and I know they are prone to falling, so that has me worried. Think they can do a lot of damage if you don’t get it repaired.