Black Smoke & Power Loss: Honda Mobilio Diesel Crisis

Hey there! I had very similar issues with my 2012 Honda Civic i-DTEC. Based on your symptoms, especially the black smoke and power loss, it sounds exactly like the waste gate valve problem I faced last year. In my case, the valve was stuck and wasn't regulating the turbo pressure properly. My mechanic showed me how the waste gate actuator had seized up from carbon buildup. The repair involved replacing the entire waste gate assembly and cleaning the turbo. It's definitely not something you want to ignore, running with a faulty waste gate can seriously damage your turbocharger and engine. When mine failed, I also had that distinct hissing sound and jerking during acceleration. After the repair, the difference was like night and day, proper power delivery, no more black smoke, and the engine ran smoothly again. I'd recommend getting it checked soon, as these symptoms won't resolve themselves and will likely get worse. Hope this helps with your decision!

Oh thanks so much for sharing your experience! That waste gate valve repair sounds exactly like what I might be dealing with. My Mobilio's running way better since getting it fixed, the smoke's gone and it's got its power back. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything stayed running smooth since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Asking 'cause I want to make sure I'm keeping an eye out for any potential follow-up problems.

Hey again! Happy to hear you got your Mobilio sorted out! Yeah, I remember exactly what I paid because I had to dig into my savings, it was 860€ for the whole waste gate valve job. But honestly, it was worth every penny. My mechanic also found and fixed the boost pressure sensor while they were at it, which was a bonus. Been running like a dream since then, no more black smoke, no hissing, and the power's exactly where it should be. It's been over a year now and I haven't had any related issues pop up. Just keeping up with regular maintenance and she's purring along nicely. One tip though, I've been using better quality diesel since then, and I think it's helping keep everything clean and running smooth. The mechanic mentioned it could help prevent future carbon buildup. Glad you got yours fixed too! These diesels can be really solid engines when they're properly maintained.

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! That's really helpful to know about the repair costs and the tip about better fuel. After my experience, I actually ended up paying around 780€ for my repair. The mechanic I found was pretty awesome, took the time to explain everything and even showed me the old parts. Funny story actually, when I first drove in, the car was making such awful noises that other customers were staring! But the mechanic didn't even flinch, just nodded and said "Classic waste gate symptoms." Got it fixed within two days, and wow, what a difference! No more embarrassing smoke clouds or weird noises. I've taken your advice about using better quality diesel too. It's been about three weeks since the repair, and everything's running super smooth. The engine's got its pep back, and I'm not getting those nervous glances from other drivers anymore! Really appreciate all your help. It's such a relief to have this sorted without getting ripped off. Time to enjoy some worry-free driving!