Seeking Advice on '09 Hyundai Matrix Symptoms: Black Smoke, Ignition Troubles, Reduced Power, and Strong Exhaust Odor

Hey there! I faced similar symptoms with my '06 Hyundai Elantra, and from what you're describing, it could indeed be an issue with the injector. Your car may be experiencing a defective fuel injector - mine showed similar signs. Black smoke suggests there might be unburned gasoline making its way into the exhaust, which is especially noticeable when you're accelerating and burning more fuel. The decreased acceleration and characteristic strong exhaust smell confirm this. It indeed is a significant issue that requires immediate attention. In my case, the mechanic's diagnostics confirmed that one of the fuel injectors wasn't working at the optimal level. This unbalanced injector disrupted the whole system, causing the uneven performance and disrupted fuel economy. The fix included replacing the malfunctioning injector and performing a full fuel system service. It got my car back running smoothly. I'd definitely advise you to get the injector suspected of issues checked and serviced or replaced if necessary. The mechanic will likely run a few tests to pinpoint the issue. Don't stress yourself too much, these things happen! And while it's not a small issue, it's often pretty straightforward to address. Safe driving!

Hey there! I gotta say, your experience sounds incredibly insightful, especially because I'm dealing with such a headache with my Matrix right now. You did a spot-on job with the whole fuel injector problem - I'm pretty certain that's the issue! I'm curious though, do you remember how much you had to pay for fixing up that injector issue and the overall service in your Elantra? I want to make sure I'm not gonna get ripped off again like the last time with the so-called 'mechanics'. And since you handled the situation, has anything else come up or was that pretty much it? I'd be grateful for any extra heads-up or advice you got. Thanks a bunch!

Hey! Glad to have been of service! Regarding your question about the cost, my bill amounted to around €515. This got the entire injector issue sorted out, and my trusty Elantra started behaving nicely again, with none of its former problems! My advice, don't let it scare you. I'm certain that getting the injector sorted out will put an end to the engine light party in your car and other symptoms. And remember, it's crucial to get it fixed as soon as you can. Post repair, I haven't experienced any bigger issues. The whole error-in-the-mixture thing, you know, the "mixture too lean" as they put it, got fixed after seeing the mechanic. Since then, my Elantra has been as good as gold! Smooth, no jerking and better fuel economy, so all sorted! I hope this helps, and don't hesitate if you have any more questions! Safe driving!

Can't tell you how relieved I am to hear that! It's good to know that there's hope for my Matrix after all. Around €515 doesn't sound as bad as I thought it could be, given how hassled the whole ordeal has been. I definitely won't ignore the signs anymore and get it checked at the earliest. It's reassuring to hear that your Elantra has been smooth sailing post the fix. Appreciate the advice on not taking the check engine light lightly and spotting the lean mixture issue in time. Thanks a heap for all the detailed advice, you've saved loads of stress. I'll now take my car to the mechanic with a clear mind and hopefully get my Matrix doing well again soon. Safe driving on your end as well! Cheers!