Is There A Mechanic In The House?!

[dollies01]

Hi

Hoping someone maybe able to help me. My husband drives a SEAT IBIZI
We have had it about a year, it was bought in haste, and on a test drive, he stalled it,
the owner said it had a "low clutch bite"

However, its continued you stall, sometimes once a day, sometimes three or four, its been suggested its a blocked filter, but we assume if this was the case, it would of totally clogged up by now?!

We are both completely car ignorant, I don't want to take it into a garage without having a rough idea whats up, as they will make all sorts up and charge us money we simply haven't got.
Has anyone any ideas please???!?!?!??!?!?!

[bp]

I know a brilliant Mechanic, I'll ask for you.

[dollies01]

Thankyou
I would really appreciate it.

Should of said in the last post, its happening, when he's slowing approaching junctions, and turnings etc.
It runs fine when in 3rd and 4th gear

(I don't drive, hence, my rubbish description lol )

[DorsetStrider]

I'm not a mechanic although I am studying to be one

I have a SEAT Ibiza as well, having driven quite a few cars now, including serveral lotuses and a ferrarri, (sorry just showing off now), I have to say that for the money I'm very impressed with my ibiza.

ANYWAY....

Please don't take this as gosspel (without looking/listening to the car it's hard to tell) but from what you are saying I'd say it's more likely one of the following...

The timing on the car needs to be reset (this is a known fault on SEAT's) as for some bizarre reason they don't set the timing up correctly. Take it to a reputable garage and ask them to check and adjust timing as nessicary.

The other possible is that the alternator is on the way out. I had this exact problem on another car and in that case it turned out to be the alternator.

I must admit it doesn't sound like injectors or fuel lines IMHO, although without being there to listen to the engine it's hard to say for certain.

Hope this helps.

[dollies01]

Thanks for the replies, Ive ascertained from a google search that the revs are too low when its idle, apparently its as simple as turning a screw in the carbureter........

pity my hubby is simpler than even that lol
Also been told, its the spark plugs?
I think we will start with the cheapest option and work our way up!

thanks again, I will relay the info

[DorsetStrider]

What year is the car?

Unless it's quite an old ibiza I think you'll find it doesn't have a carberetta.... I'm 99% sure that all ibiza post 98 are fuel injected so there's no need for carbs.

[dollies01]

Its a P reg so 1996 ish I think

Mind you lets not tell him it may not have one
I could do with a giggle
lol

[DorsetStrider]

Hmmmm 96? Might have one might not. Not sure when SEAT made the switch off the top of my head. Let me know if you have no joy and I'll do some checking for you.

"let not tell him I could use a giggle"... LOL that's evil.... still pretty funny thou. Let me know how long it takes him to figure out if it turns out you don't have one. lol

[syrill-sneer]

Its very hard to diagnose a fault with a vehicle without actually seeing it, all you are going to get is guesses, unless somebody works on the vehicle day in and day out and deals with the problem on a regular basis.
I would be 99% certain that the car does not have a carburettor, carburettors were pretty much outdated in 1993 when the emission rules changes.
If the car is only staling when the clutch is depressed at or heading towards a junction than I would imagine that it is going to a fault with the system that controls the idle speed. I would pretty much rule out it being a blocked filter or faulty spark splugs, as this would be alot more evident under acceleration.
Unforntunately thats as much help as I can be with out actually seeing the car or knowing more about the idle system on your car. It may be worth signing up to a Seat Ibiza froum and asking the same question, may get bit more help.

[flowers]

would agree with syrill-sneer, j reg was when emmisions changed and petrol vehichles switched to cat. some of the japanese manufacturers experimented with modified carbs but soon realised not enough controll over fuelling and damaged cat. very quickly. got to ask ,petrol or diesel? makes a big difference. idle regulator valves do gunk up after a few years, had many problems on peugeot and renault idlevalves, good spray of carb cleaner into air intake at around 2500 rpm can help a bit but not a long term cure. is the idle stable? i.e hunting, over revving etc@? this can be a symptom of air leak after the mapp sensor from split hose, inlet manifold etc. another thing to check is that the foot mat hasn't ridden up under the clutch pedal. sound daft but this can prevent the pedal from goind as far as it should even though it feels like it has.
sorry it's as clear as mud but your best bet is to find a reccommended specialist in your area, and get it checked out. Not kwick fit etc, I have never seen a properly qualified diagnostic technician in these places. I worked for land rover jag and aston for the previouse 7 years, but never seat, so i dont know their idiosynchracies.
good luck

[dollies01]

Thanks heaps flowers, I will relay all your comments too
He is off work next week, so I will ring round a few garages and get it an appointment!

I will get back to you all

thanks again

[flowers]

good luck and keep me posted