Dacia Lodgy Diesel Problems: Engine Power Loss, Stalling, Black Smoke, and Potential Swirl Flaps Issue

Hey! I'm just a driveway mechanic with some experience but grappled with a similar issue on my 2010 Dacia Sandero. Mechanic diagnosed it as an intake manifold leak with charring, pretty much wreaks havoc on engine performance, just like you're experiencing. To fix it, the whole intake manifold had to be replaced at my local garage, which set me back about 1180 Euro. It was a hefty price, but sorted everything out perfectly. However, any chance you could provide more details about your Lodgy? Engine size, miles run, if you've had regular service, etc? That'd help me give you a more accurate perspective. Cheers!

Hey there, I appreciate your response! Sorry I didn't mention this before, my Lodgy has run about 120708 KM without any major issues prior to this. It has the standard 1.5 dCi diesel engine that Dacia uses. I've been pretty religious about regular services; the last one was a couple months ago. So this current problem left me a bit puzzled. I will definitely consider your info about the replacement. It's a bit pricey but if that's the only solution, I guess I'll need to dig in my pocket. Thanks a lot for your advice, really! Cheers!

Hey! Your car's got a good number of kilometres on it, that’s for sure. These problems can pop up when your car’s been on the road as much as yours, so it's nothing out of the ordinary. With the 1.5 dCi engine, the intake manifold is a common problem area. The swirl flaps often start acting out exactly around your car's age; mine did about the same. They're prone to wear and tear and can cause the issues you're facing. It's still best to get a professional mechanic to confirm before splurging on the replacement. If your garage is anything like mine, they should be able to run a diagnostic and confirm if it's indeed a defective swirl flap causing the mayhem. Keep in mind: A replacement isn't a cheap job, but if it's the issue, it's worth every penny. Hope everything works out. You've got good care of your Lodgy; it'll take care of you too. Cheers!

Hey! Thanks for the insights. It does make sense considering my Lodgy's mileage. I'll make sure to have the mechanic do a thorough diagnostic to confirm before jumping the gun. If the replacement is inevitable, then so be it. Your advice has been priceless. My Lodgy and I appreciate it. Maybe it's time to return the loyalty she's given me all these years. It's great to know that there's such a supportive community around when you encounter issues like these. Cheers take care!