KNOWN FAULTS · Seat

Known faults for the Seat Ibiza (6L).

2002–2009 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.2 / 1.4 (atmosférico) (Petrol)

1.2 three-cylinder chain and valvesTiming / cylinder head

Engine / equipment: 1.2 three-cylinder 6- and 12-valve (AWY, AZQ, BMD, BME, BXV, CGPA): Polo IV and V, Fox, Fabia I and II, Roomster, Ibiza and Córdoba
Period mentioned: 2001–2014
Symptoms: Chain noise, rough running, hesitation or intermittent over-fuelling; loss of compression from burnt exhaust valves; in severe cases the chain jumps and bends the valves.
Possible cause described: The timing chain and its hydraulic tensioner are short-lived: they sometimes stretch before 50,000 km and can jump a tooth when the car is parked in gear. Exhaust valves burn and carbon builds up on the valves; the throttle body and crankcase ventilation get dirty.
Check for the garage: Listen for the chain at start-up, measure compression, check the oil change history and whether the chain kit has already been replaced.
Cost cited in the source: Chain kit: approx. €450 (converted from pounds, 2006–2010); new cylinder head: about €2,750 (converted from pounds)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: up to 50,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Engines: 1.2 / 1.4 (atmosférico) (Petrol) · 1.4 / 1.9 TDI (Diesel)

Applies if: Only if fitted with the air conditioning system described.

A/C not cooling: N280 valveClimate control

Engine / equipment: Air conditioning with clutchless compressor and N280 regulating valve (combustion VW, Audi, Seat, Cupra and Skoda from 2006)
Period mentioned: 2006–2026
Symptoms: The air does not cool or cools intermittently (for example only at motorway speed), and sometimes the compressor rattles with the A/C on. Codes 01232 (N280 valve), P2612 or 00898.
Possible cause described: The compressor regulates its output with the N280 solenoid valve, its most common failure point. Audi issued technical bulletins over a manufacturing fault in this valve on Sanden compressors. Its connector can also become brittle and corrode (especially without the engine undertray), or the wiring fails.
Check for the garage: Read the codes and N280 control current with VCDS or ODIS, measure its resistance (about 10 ohms) and check the connector and wiring before replacing parts. If the valve or compressor is replaced, the whole circuit must be flushed.
Cost cited in the source: N280 valve: a cheap part (about 30 dollars) where sold separately; new compressor with circuit flush: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.4 / 1.9 TDI (Diesel)

PD TDI camshaft, injectors and cylinder headInjection / cylinder head

Engine / equipment: 1.2, 1.4, 1.9 and 2.0 TDI unit-injector (PD) engines, including the VW-sourced 2.0 CRD in Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep
Period mentioned: 2000–2010
Symptoms: Growing noise from the cylinder head, power loss and rough running (cams and lifters); unstable idle, smoke or hesitation (injectors); on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, coolant loss with no visible leak from a cracked head.
Possible cause described: The camshaft also drives the unit injectors and carries a heavy load: without VW 505.01 oil the lobes and lifters wear. 2.0 TDI PD injectors fail frequently. Some 16-valve 2.0 TDI heads (part number ending in A) crack; VW considered it fixed by the end of 2006.
Check for the garage: Check the oil history (VW 505.01), listen to the head, check injector balance rates with a diagnostic tool and, on the 16-valve 2.0 TDI, read the head part number (03G 103 351) and look for coolant loss.
Cost cited in the source: Camshaft and lifters: approx. €400–800; 2.0 TDI PD injectors: €900–2,000A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 120,000–200,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.