Dacia Lodgy 2021 Model: Check Engine Light, Poor Performance, and Black Smoke Issues

Hey there. I drive a 2018 Dacia Sandero Stepway and I ran into similar issues a while back. A lack of power and that irritating shudder on acceleration led me to take the car to my local garage. They ran a few diagnostic tests and found that the issue was linked to an intake system leak. The mechanic explained it to me like this: the intake system is designed to adequately mix air and fuel. When there's a leak, it disrupts the balance, causing all sorts of problems like poor fuel efficiency, reduced acceleration, and even engine misfires. That black smoke you're seeing might be due to the engine running too rich because of the air-fuel ratio imbalance caused by the leak. In terms of seriousness, I wouldn't say this is a minor issue. It's not a catastrophic failure, sure, but if left unattended, it could cause some long-term damage to the engine. In my case, the mechanic did a thorough job of patching up the leak and recalibrating the intake system to its optimal settings. Engine's been purring like a kitten ever since. Take it from me, get that Lodgy to the garage ASAP and have them look at the intake system. You don't want to let it run like that for too long. Cheers!

Hey, cheers for the insight. Sounds like a similar situation to mine with the Dacia Lodgy, and the symptoms are a match. Your detailed explanation about the intake system leak definitely sheds some light on the issue. Just out of curiosity, do you mind sharing how much that repair set you back? Also, since your mechanic fixed the leak, did any other issues crop up or has your Sandero been behaving since then? Thanks again!

Hey, no problem! Well, to be honest, the cost was a bit hefty. I had to cough up around 425 Euro for the whole intake system repair. Feels like a chunk of change, sure, but seeing the Sandero bouncing back to normal was a relief, you know? And to answer your second question - no no nasty surprises since then. The engine's working smoothly. The mechanic did a stellar job. The best part? That nasty deviation in the engine intake quantity you were concerned about? Sorted out completely after the fix. It's been smooth sailing and no black smoke puffing out since then. Definitely worth putting the Lodgy back in ship shape, I reckon. Don't let it drag on! Hope this helps! Cheers!

that's been a massive help! A big whopping thanks to you. 425 Euro is a pretty penny for sure but given the black smoke, poor performance and constant worries, it's a price I’m prepared to pay for peace of mind. Your experience has gone a long way to giving me a clear picture of what I'm dealing with, and how to sort it out. Glad to know your Sandero has been trouble-free after the repair. Here's hoping I can say the same for my Lodgy once it's sorted. I'll ring up the garage first thing in the morning and get her booked in. Thanks again for the advice and reassurance. Remain blessed! Cheers, to smooth driving and no more nasty engine surprises!