Black Smoke & DPF Woes: Infiniti M Needs Help

Had the same nightmare with my 2014 Infiniti Q50 diesel at around 155k km. The black smoke and power loss were identical symptoms to what you're describing. Took it to the shop last month turned out the DPF was completely clogged with soot and couldn't do proper regeneration anymore. The sensors were shot too, which is why the engine light came on. The fix wasn't just a simple cleaning they had to replace the DPF unit and regeneration sensors. It was quite serious since a failed DPF can damage other engine components if left unchecked. The repair took two days, but it's running like new now no more smoke, full power restored, and the engine light's gone. If you're near any Infiniti dealerships, I'd suggest going there first. These DPF issues are pretty common on high-mileage diesels, and they know exactly what to look for.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. The car's running much better now that it's fixed, I bet. Quick question do you remember roughly how much you paid for the whole repair job? Also, has everything been smooth sailing since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Hey again! Yeah, absolutely happy to share the costs. The total bill came to 1550€ for the whole job. Honestly, it wasn't cheap, but it was worth every penny because the DPF was completely shot due to the high mileage. And I'm glad you asked about how it's running since getting it fixed last month, my Q50's been performing like a champ! The black smoke issue is completely gone, and the engine's got all its power back. No more warning lights or funky exhaust smells either. The mechanic really nailed the diagnosis with that heavily loaded DPF, and since they replaced the unit and sensors, it's been smooth sailing. It's like driving a different car now responsive, clean-running, and zero issues. If you're facing similar symptoms, don't wait too long to get it checked out. These DPF problems can get worse pretty quickly if you leave them unattended.

Thanks for all that info! You convinced me to bite the bullet and get it fixed. Just got my car back from the mechanic yesterday, and what a difference! Went to the Infiniti dealership you recommended, and they were spot on with everything. Turned out my repair was pretty similar to yours clogged DPF and bad sensors. Bill came to around 1600€, which stung a bit, but the car's running like a dream now. No more black smoke, got all my power back, and that annoying engine light is finally off. The exhaust smell is gone too. Funny how we both had almost identical issues! Really appreciate you sharing your experience it definitely helped me make the right call instead of putting it off and potentially causing more damage. These diesel problems can really sneak up on you, but at least now I know what to watch out for!