BR-V Diesel: Black Smoke and Power Loss Issues

Hi there! I have some experience working on cars as a hobby mechanic. I had almost identical issues with my 2017 Honda HR-V diesel last year. The symptoms were exactly as you described, black smoke, power loss, jerking, and those annoying noises. Turned out the electrical bypass valve was completely shot. Got it fixed at my regular workshop for about 250 Euro, they diagnosed it pretty quickly with their diagnostic tools. I'd definitely suggest getting it checked ASAP since running with a faulty bypass valve can potentially cause more damage to the engine. My mechanic explained that these issues are somewhat common in Honda diesels of that generation. Before I can give more specific advice, Current mileage? Any recent maintenance done? When did these symptoms first appear? Any other warning lights besides check engine? Let me know and I'll try to help further!

Hey, having similar symptoms on my BR-V too. Currently at 257385 KM, just had my service done last month. In my case, it turned out to be the turbo intercooler pipe that had developed a small crack, causing boost pressure issues. The symptoms were pretty much identical, black smoke, power loss, and that annoying whistling noise. Got it fixed by replacing the intercooler pipe and checking all the connected hoses. The turbo boost started working properly after that. Much cheaper fix than I initially feared! Might be worth checking your intercooler system before jumping to more expensive components. Also, keep an eye on your air filter, a clogged one can cause similar symptoms. Hope this helps!

Hey there again! Yeah, I remember my HR-V situation well. While the electrical bypass valve was the culprit in my case, you're absolutely right about the intercooler pipe being a common issue too. After my repair, I actually had a chat with my mechanic about similar cases he'd seen, and he mentioned that cracked intercooler pipes are surprisingly common in these models. On my HR-V (now at 263k), I've learned to do regular checks on all the turbo-related components since that incident. Actually started carrying a small inspection mirror to check for hairline cracks in hard-to-see areas. It's amazing how such a tiny crack can cause so many problems! Totally agree about the air filter too, I change mine a bit more frequently than recommended now, especially since I discovered how much these symptoms can overlap. Better safe than sorry, right? By the way, did you notice any rubber deterioration on your intercooler pipe before it cracked? Just curious because I've been keeping an eye on mine since my bypass valve issue, and I've noticed some of the rubber components starting to show age. Might be worth checking for anyone else with similar symptoms. Thanks for sharing your experience, it's really helpful to know all the potential causes. These diesels can be tricky sometimes!

I'll complete the conversation from's perspective: Thanks for the detailed follow-up! You make a good point about the rubber components, in my case, I actually noticed some deterioration around the connections, but didn't think much of it until after the crack developed. The rubber had gotten quite brittle, especially near the clamps. Speaking of maintenance, after my intercooler pipe issue, I've also started doing more frequent inspections. Those small inspection mirrors you mentioned sound like a smart investment, might grab one myself. Better to catch these things early than wait for a complete failure. My mechanic also suggested keeping an eye on the turbo oil feed lines while I'm at it, since they can develop similar issues over time. The BR-V's been running perfectly since the fix though, no more black smoke or power loss. Just keeping up with regular maintenance now and being more proactive about checking those rubber components. Thanks again for sharing your HR-V experience. Really helpful to compare notes with other Honda diesel owners. These engines are generally solid, but knowing these common weak points definitely helps with preventive maintenance!