Diesel Outlander's Glow Plug Crisis, Start-Up Nightmare

I had a similar issue with my 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross diesel last winter. The symptoms you're describing match exactly what I experienced, persistent glow plug light, black smoke, and those frustrating cold starts. I took it to the dealership after my regular mechanic couldn't properly diagnose it. Turns out it wasn't just one glow plug, but three of them were worn out. They also found that the worn glow plugs had been causing incomplete combustion, which was why my DPF wasn't regenerating properly. It's definitely a serious issue that needs immediate attention because it can lead to more severe engine problems if left unchecked. The repair involved replacing all four glow plugs (they recommended doing all of them since they usually wear at similar rates), and they also had to clean the DPF. After the fix, the difference was night and day, instant cold starts, no more black smoke, and my fuel economy went back to normal. The DPF regeneration cycles are working properly now too. If you're in this situation, I'd strongly recommend going straight to a dealership. These modern diesel engines are complex, and you want someone with the right diagnostic tools and expertise.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Really helpful to hear someone went through the same nightmare. I'm leaning towards taking it to the dealership like you did. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole fix? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you had any other issues pop up?

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up on your questions. Since I took my Eclipse Cross to the dealership and got that glow plug issue sorted out, it's been running like a dream. The total bill came to 560€, that was for fixing a defective glow plug that was worn out. Honestly, while it wasn't cheap, it was totally worth it! I haven't had a single problem since the repair, cold starts are perfect now, no more black smoke, and the fuel economy is back to what it should be. It's like having a different car! The DPF regeneration cycles are working normally too, which is a huge relief. I gotta say, going to the dealership was definitely the right call in my case. They knew exactly what they were dealing with and fixed it right the first time. If you're still on the fence about where to take yours, I'd say go for the dealership, especially with these modern diesel engines, you want someone who really knows their stuff. Let me know if you need any other info about my experience with this repair. Happy to help!

Update on my situation, everyone! Took your advice and went to the dealership last week. Best decision I could've made! Turned out I had two faulty glow plugs, and they found some issues with the DPF sensor too. Bill came to about 680€, a bit more than what paid, but mine needed that extra sensor work. The mechanic was super professional and explained everything clearly. what a difference in how the car runs now! Started up this morning in like 2 seconds flat, no more waiting forever in the cold. The black smoke's completely gone, and I'm already noticing better fuel economy. Really grateful for the advice here, especially from. Sometimes paying a bit more at the dealership is worth it to get things done right. Thanks again, everyone! Case closed on this headache!