2017 Kia Ceed Diesel: Strange Engine Behavior and Black Exhaust Smoke Issues

Hey! Sounds like you might be onto something there with your guess. I've a 2014 Kia Pro Ceed, and it had similar issues. I nailed it down to an intake system leak as well. The engine light popping on, reduced power, rough idling, and stalling, all that jazz. And that black smoke, it's a pretty clear sign of the engine running too rich because of the extra air entering through the unseen leaks. I can tell you, it’s quite a serious issue. Left unchecked, it could escalate and cause some long-term damage to your engine. My experience at the garage was quite educational. The fellas there explained that such leaks can lead to improper air-fuel mixture. Which, in turn, will mess with the engine performance just as you're experiencing. So, they had to examine the whole intake system thoroughly. In my case, they found some cracks on the intake manifold gasket and the vacuum hose. Both were replaced and voila! The car was back to its old self. So yeah don't delay, get it over to your mechanic ASAP. And demand a thorough inspection of the intake system, focusing on the manifold gasket and vacuum hoses. Good luck!

Hey, thanks for this! Your insight's really shed some light and it's a relief to hear it was manageable. Let me pry just a little more though - hope you don't mind! Can you remember roughly what the damage to your wallet was when it was all said and done? And since your repair, have you noticed any other similar problems creeping up or has your Pro Ceed been behaving itself? Cheers for the help!

Hey, no worries at all - happy to help! The fix wasn't exactly pocket change, but I'd say it was well worth it considering the potential damage we're talking about. If I recall correctly, it was around 425 Euro to sort out the intake system leakage which included labor and parts. Post-repair, my Pro Ceed has been running like a dream! You see, once the mechanic had patched up the leaks, it fixed the deviation in the engine's intake quantity right away. No more rich mixture, no more black smoke, and it got rid of all those nasty symptoms. It's been smooth sailing, no problems whatsoever! Look out for this when you get your baby sorted - it should clear things right up! Final advice, don't delay the longer you wait, the greater the risk to your engine and pocket! Beers on me once it's all over!

You're a lifesaver! This has cleared up my worries immensely. I was going in circles but your insight has put things into perspective. A bit of a hit to the pocket, but as you said, it's better than a future catastrophic engine failure. I'll ping my mechanic first thing tomorrow and relay all you've said. Will definitely be getting to this before it escalates into a bigger issue. After it's sorted, we'll have to catch up for that beer, my shout, though! Thanks heaps really appreciate it. Cheers!