Macan Black Smoke & Stalling: Fuel System Mystery?

Hey there! I have some experience working on diesel engines. Had a similar issue with my 2018 Porsche Cayenne Diesel (also dealt with a Panamera before). I faced almost identical symptoms, black smoke, hard starts, and unusual shutoffs. Took it to my trusted workshop and yep, it was the fuel filter heater wiring harness that was damaged. The connector was corroded and wires were frayed. Got it fixed for about 110€ including parts and labor. Car's been running perfectly since then. Before I share more specific details about my repair experience, could you tell me: How many miles/km on your Macan? When did these symptoms first appear? Any recent maintenance or repairs done? This info would help me give you more relevant advice based on my experience.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My Macan's at 56893 KM and had its latest service about 2 months ago. The symptoms started showing up about a week ago, pretty suddenly actually. The black smoke was the first thing I noticed, then the other issues followed. It's good to hear you fixed a similar problem without breaking the bank! Did you notice any warning signs before your issues started? And how long did the repair take? Really appreciate your help with this!

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Yeah, with my Cayenne, I actually did notice some minor signs before everything went downhill. About a week before the major symptoms, I noticed slightly longer start-up times in the morning, but I initially brushed it off thinking it was just the cold weather. The repair itself was pretty straightforward, took about 2 hours at my workshop. They first diagnosed it with their computer to confirm the fuel filter heater issue, then replaced the wiring harness and connector. The mechanic showed me the old parts, the corrosion was pretty obvious once they pulled it out. Given that your Macan has similar mileage to what my Cayenne had when this happened (mine was around 52000 KM), and the symptoms appeared in the same pattern, it really sounds like the same issue. The sudden appearance of symptoms is also very familiar, that's exactly how mine went down. Just a heads up though, make sure they check the entire fuel system while they're at it. In my case, they also cleaned the fuel injectors as a preventive measure since they were already working in that area. Cost a bit extra but totally worth it for the peace of mind. Let me know how it goes with your repair! Always happy to help a fellow Porsche owner.

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! It's really helpful to hear about your experience, especially since our situations are so similar. I'll definitely get it checked out this week and make sure they look at the whole fuel system like you suggested. Makes total sense to do a thorough check while they're already working on it. I'll try to get the appointment tomorrow morning, don't want to risk any more damage by waiting too long. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and tips. I'll update the thread once I get it sorted out to help others who might have the same issue in the future!