Black Smoke & Power Loss: Grandland X EGR Mystery

I had a similar issue with my 2019 Vauxhall Crossland X last summer. The symptoms were nearly identical, black smoke, power loss, and that distinctive hissing. Turned out to be damaged cables on the electric changeover valve, which was affecting the entire EGR system. Got it checked at my regular garage where they diagnosed it properly. The mechanic showed me how the faulty wiring was causing the EGR valve to stick open, leading to all those symptoms you're describing. It wasn't a quick fix, took them about a day and a half to replace the damaged cables and clean the EGR system. It's definitely something you want to get sorted soon. The exhaust fumes in the cabin aren't just unpleasant, they're a safety issue. While not the most complex repair, it's important to have someone who knows what they're looking for, as these symptoms can be mistaken for other problems. My advice would be to find a garage that specializes in Vauxhall or at least has solid experience with them. The repair itself is fairly straightforward for someone who knows what they're doing.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the wiring issue with the EGR valve. I'm getting those exact same symptoms, so it sounds like we're dealing with the same problem. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you had any other issues pop up? Always good to know what to watch out for!

Hey again! Glad I could help with my previous response. Since you asked about the costs, I paid exactly 155.00 € to get those damaged cables on the electric changeover valve fixed. And I'm happy to report that since the mechanic sorted out that EGR function issue, my Crossland X has been running like a dream! No more black smoke, no weird noises, and definitely no more exhaust smells in the cabin. Honestly, it's like driving a different car now. You know what's funny? I was just as worried as you are when these problems first started, but once you find the right mechanic who actually knows what they're looking at, it's a pretty straightforward fix. The key is getting it sorted quickly before it causes any other problems. If you end up getting yours fixed, let me know how it goes! Always good to compare notes with fellow Vauxhall owners. Trust me, once you get this sorted, you'll notice the difference straight away.

Update: Just got back from the mechanic, and you were spot on! Took it to AutoTech Motors after your recommendation, and they found the same issue with the EGR valve wiring. Cost me a bit more than yours though, around 180 € because they had to replace some additional damaged parts. The difference is like night and day! No more black smoke, the engine's running smoothly, and that annoying hissing sound is completely gone. Such a relief not having those exhaust fumes in the cabin anymore. The mechanic was great too, showed me exactly what was wrong and explained everything clearly. Really appreciate everyone's help here, especially your detailed response about your experience. It definitely made me feel more confident about getting it fixed. Nice to know these Vauxhalls have similar patterns, makes troubleshooting so much easier when we can share experiences like this. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction! Now I can finally enjoy driving my GrandlandX again without worrying about every little noise.