Black Smoke & Stalling: Infiniti M Hybrid Problems

Hey there! I have some experience with cars and had a similar issue with my 2011 Lexus GS450h (also had a look at the LS hybrid back then). Those symptoms sound exactly like what I dealt with. Turned out to be a faulty injector in my case. My trusted mechanic diagnosed it and replaced it cost me around 515€ total. The car's been running perfectly since then. What's your current mileage? This could help determine if it's the same issue, as these problems often show up at certain mileage points in hybrids. Also, are you getting any specific error codes with that check engine light? Let me know these details and I can share more specific info that might help!

Thanks for the input! I'm at 169336 KM and just had a service last month. Getting error code P0201 but the mechanic wasn't sure if it's related. I'll definitely look into the injector issue you mentioned sounds very similar to what I'm experiencing. Did you notice any warning signs before your injector completely failed? Wondering if I should get this checked ASAP or if I have some time to shop around for a good mechanic who knows hybrids well.

Hey again! Yeah, with my Lexus GS450h, I actually noticed some early warning signs before it completely went bad. I was at around 165000 KM when these issues started popping up. That P0201 code is definitely injector-related got the same one on my car! The first thing I noticed was slightly worse fuel economy, but I initially brushed it off thinking it was just my driving style. Then came the occasional jerking during acceleration, especially when the engine was cold. The black smoke and stalling started about two weeks later. Looking back, I really should've gotten it checked as soon as the first symptoms showed up would've saved me some stress! Don't want to alarm you, but I'd definitely recommend getting it checked ASAP. With my Lexus, waiting too long actually ended up causing some carbon buildup in the cylinder, which made the repair a bit more expensive. The symptoms you're describing are almost identical to what I experienced, and that error code pretty much confirms it. If you're in the same boat as I was, you definitely want a mechanic who knows hybrids well. Mine initially went to a regular shop, and they just couldn't figure it out. Had to take it to a specialist in the end. Worth the extra effort to find someone who really knows these systems!

Thanks so much for all the detailed information! You've definitely convinced me to get this checked out right away. Don't want to risk any additional damage to the cylinder like what happened with your Lexus. The similarities between our situations are pretty striking, especially with the same error code and mileage range. I've just made some calls and found a hybrid specialist about 30 minutes from me who's got good reviews. They can take a look at it this Thursday. Really appreciate you sharing your experience it's helped me understand what I'm dealing with and probably saved me from making the same mistake of waiting too long. Will update the thread once I get it diagnosed and fixed! Thanks again for taking the time to help out!