Black Smoke and Jerking During Acceleration in '07 Kia Sorento: Possible Diesel Particulate Filter Issues

Hey there, Funny you should mention it, I had a similar issue with my '09 Kia Sedona diesel model about a year ago. I remember the awful exhaust smell being a hard-to-miss symptom. The car was puffing some black smoke and wasn't as responsive during acceleration either. I wasn't sure what was wrong initially, but my engine warning light had come on just as yours has. Just like you suspected with your car, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) was causing all of the trouble. It's a crucial part of any diesel car as it captures and stores exhaust soot to reduce emissions. If the DPF can't 'regen' properly, it can cause all kinds of problems including the ones you're describing. The trickiest part was figuring out the root cause behind the DPF fail. In my case, I found it was not a result of short trips, bad diesel, or oil contamination, but a consequence of an internally defective DPF. My garage performed a comprehensive check and confirmed that indeed the DPF was internally damaged. They had to replace it altogether - cleaning it would have just been a temporary fix and I didn't want to risk it happening again. So, from my experience, you may want to get a full diagnostic to rule out other possibilities and specifically ask your mechanic to check that DPF. It's pretty serious if not sorted promptly and I can't stress enough the importance of having it in good condition to prevent engine damage. It's key to get a mechanic you trust not to do only what’s profitable from the outside but really dig into it. Stick with it it can be sorted! Cheers!

Hey there, Just been reading along and your issues sound exactly like what my 2010 Kia Sorento was pulling off last summer. Black smoke, bad acceleration, darn check engine light and that stinky exhaust smell. That was one hell of a time lemme tell ya. It did turn out to be my DPF just like what you guys are saying. Apparently mine was all messed up inside, too. Got my mechanic to replace it, hasn't caused a problem since. Say, do you remember how much you ended up paying to get that bugger fixed? And has anything else popped up since you got it sorted? Cheers!

Hey! Glad to hear you've moved past the DPF issue as well. Gas-guzzling beasts like these sure give us a run for our money at times! To answer your question, fixing that defective DPF wasn't exactly a joyride when it came to the bill – ended up setting me back by about 1550€. Considering what's at stake though, I reckon it was definitely money well spent. As for any further problems, well, I'm relieved to say that since taking the old gal to the mechanic, things have been running pretty smooth - no more heavy load on the DPF, no more black clouds to farewell every time I hit the gas, and goodbye to that nasty exhaust smell. So, a tip from one diesel driver to another - stay on top of it and don't delay if your motor starts acting crazy, especially when it comes to the DPF aspect. Give it some TLC and she'll be right! Cheers!

Howdy guys, Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips. You both had it pretty rough with your rides, and I'm glad you got it sorted. I'm more convinced now that my Sorento's DPF is the culprit. The advice on getting a comprehensive diagnostic certainly makes sense, better safe than sorry right? Especially when it's a component as vital as the DPF, no point risking it. 1550€ though, that's a pretty penny but messaging with you guys just confirms I can't afford to ignore this issue. If it's going to prevent future engine damage and get my ride back to normal, it's worth it. Gonna book a garage visit this week, wish me luck, guys! Again, really appreciate your help. I'll drop an update once it's sorted. Until then, happy driving fellas! Cheers!