2018 Seat Tarraco Gasoline Engine Issues: Black Smoke, Reduced Power, and Check Engine Light

Hey, I had a similar issue with my 2015 Seat Leon not too long ago. It also started showing symptoms like reduced power and irregular fuel economy. The nasty check engine light was the icing on the cake, pretty same as yours. Turned out, it was indeed the lambda sensor heater that was playing tricks. It's a common issue, more like a glitch rather than a serious problem. The sensor regulates the mixture of air and fuel, and when it fails, engine performance is hit, fuel consumption increases, and you can even experience those annoying jerks during acceleration. What my mechanic did was to replace the faulty lambda sensor. His crew accessed the sensor located in the exhaust system, detached the old one and fitted a new unit. It is absolutely a main component, but not like rebuilding your gearbox or something. The car's been running smooth as silk since then. Just remember, it's not something you should ignore. Better get it checked sooner rather than later. Good luck!

Hey there, it's reassuring to hear that your situation was quite similar and that replacing the lambda sensor did the trick. It gives me hope that I won't be looking at a complete engine overhaul or something of the sort. Just a quick question, do you recall about how much you had to part with for that repair? Also, has anything else come up with your Leon since you had that done? I'm just trying to anticipate any future issues that might be related. Thanks for your help.

Sure thing. Putting a new lambda sensor into the mix set me back by 375€, which includes both the cost of the part and the labour. It might seem a bit steep, but trust me, it's a major improvement over the endless frustration and escalating fuel bills that come with a defective sensor. Since I took my Leon to the mechanic and got that lambda sensor taken care of, I've not faced any other issues touch wood. She's been purring like a kitten and delivering the kind of performance I expect. The black smoke, shaky engine, jerky acceleration and worsening fuel economy - they've all since been history. So all in all, it was money well spent. Keep me updated on how it goes!

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. 375€ doesn't seem that bad considering the potential benefits and peace of mind. I just want my Tarraco to purr like a kitten too, as your Leon does now. I'll definitely consider going to the mechanic soon and will have the lambda sensor replaced. You have given me a solid reason to believe it's the right move. I'll surely keep you updated on my situation. Once again, I appreciate your advice!