Eclipse Cross Diesel: Black Smoke & Stalling Crisis

Hey there, I had very similar issues with my 2018 Mitsubishi ASX Diesel last year. Black smoke, stalling, and poor performance are classic symptoms of a failing high-pressure fuel pump, which was exactly my problem. The high-pressure pump regulates fuel delivery to the injectors, and when it starts failing, you get all those symptoms you described, the smoking, stalling, poor performance, and that strong diesel smell. It's definitely a serious issue that needs immediate attention because it can damage other engine components if left unfixed. In my case, the mechanic found metal particles from the degraded pump had also contaminated the fuel system. They had to replace the high-pressure pump and clean out the entire fuel system to prevent future damage. The job took about two days to complete. If you're getting these symptoms, don't wait too long to get it checked. A failing high-pressure pump isn't something you can drive with for long without risking more expensive damage.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That really helps, as it sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. You've convinced me to get it looked at ASAP, definitely don't want to risk more damage. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair job? Also, has everything been running smoothly since, or did you have any other issues pop up?

Hey again! Good to hear back from you! Yeah, I totally get your concern. I can actually give you some good news, after getting my ASX fixed, it's been running like a dream! The final bill for the high-pressure pump replacement came to 1510€, which included parts and labor. I know it's not cheap, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The mechanic also found and fixed a faulty fuel volume regulator during the inspection, which was actually part of the whole problem. Since getting both issues sorted, I haven't had a single problem, no more black smoke, no stalling, and the fuel consumption is back to normal. The engine runs super smooth now, and that nasty diesel smell is completely gone. Just a heads up, if you're experiencing similar symptoms, don't put off getting it checked like I initially did. I learned the hard way that these issues only get worse (and potentially more expensive) if you wait too long. Let me know if you need any other info!

Thanks for all the detailed info! Just wanted to update you, I took your advice and got my Eclipse Cross checked out yesterday. You were spot on about not waiting! Turned out it was indeed the high-pressure pump, just like your case. Got it fixed at a new mechanic I found through a 's recommendation. The whole thing set me back about 1700 €, a bit more than what you paid, but they also had to clean out the fuel lines since some debris had gotten in there. Been driving it for a day now, and what a difference! No more black smoke, the engine's running smoothly, and that annoying stalling is completely gone. Even the fuel consumption seems way better already. Really grateful for your help, you basically saved me from making the problem worse by waiting. The mechanic also mentioned that catching it when we did probably prevented some serious engine damage. Thanks again for sharing your experience!