Hey guys,

Looking for some help here.

Firstly, I've recently had a problem with low power, hard starting and poorer mpg in my Seat Leon 1.6TDI CR. It was suggested I check the fuel filter, even though it had been changed. When I checked the housing, I found quite a few metal particles in the filter housing.

A couple of people I've spoken to have said this is normal up to a certain amount of particles, as they service VAG engines all the time and said they see a few particles quite often on diesels. However, some people I've spoken to, who are also in the know about cars, say it's definitely not normal to see any contamination like that in the fuel filter. However, everyone has said that if there are any/too many metal particles, it could be a sign of a HPFP failure, especially as I've seen other symptoms that are consistent with it.

The filter has been changed twice since I've owned it (34k miles), but the housing has never been drained, so the picture shows build up from the whole 34k. Obviously I don't know whether they've appeared slowly but steadily or if they've appeared all at once.

I'm after some advice as to what people think about this, and here is a link to the picture: http://f.cl.ly/items...0r/IMG_0299.jpg

I've also heard a rattling noise that I need help identifying, here is the video:

You can hear it at the start of the video, then it fades away as I go near the back of the engine bay, and then as you come to the front of the engine bay you can hear it again.

As always, any help appreciated

Can't hear the rattle, but IMHO you shouldn't have metal particles in your fuel filter.

They're going to have come from the fuel system somewhere, which is always bad news.

Well that or you put them in the tank with some fuel.

Personally I'd be taking it into the dealer and reporting it's down on power, and then asking them to do a fuel filter change early "just in case" and ask them to note if there is any metal or contamination in there.

After about 80k miles on some cars, I've seen little bits of carbon on PD and bits of gunk from the tank, but never metal.

Cheers thanks a lot.

I've been having an ongoing issue with SEAT for 6 months now, complaining about low power, poor mpg etc. The filters have been changed recently (within the last 4k) and this problem has been going on longer than that.

I'm going to book it in with them and get it sorted. I've just come out of warranty and they're trying to wash their hands of paying for it, but with the potential for such a major problem, I'm not letting them off the hook with this one.

Yes keep on to them as you,ve had this sometime now.No way should you have metal in the fuel that isn,t normal.

Good luck.

One might think if the chances of the dealer leaving you high and dry, it would be worth taking their opinion of there being no fault and buying an after market warranty that includes everything inc wear and tear.

Then when you've passed the obligatory period take it to a decent dealer.

Really the supplying dealer should be fixing it, but it sounds like they just want to avoid it.

If I had to take a guess (and it is just a guess) as to where the metal was coming from, I'd say it's probably the high pressure fuel pump as it's the most highly stressed part in the system.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Unfortunately I don't rate many after market warranties and know people who've had them and they just try and wriggle out of claims. I think I might try taking it to an independent up here.

Anyone know any good garages near Southport/Preston/Liverpool/Manchester?

Thanks.