Seeking Advice on 2015 Dacia Lodgy's Engine Issues and Poor Fuel Efficiency

Hey! Just checking in, I've got a 2018 Dacia Duster diesel. I had a similar issue a while back. My car was running rough, showing drop in power, poor mileage and that annoying check engine light. The killer clue for me was when I found the metal shavings in the oil, just like you did. My mechanic diagnosed it as a bad/defective camshaft adjustment plug. It turns out the cable/plug was oily due to leakages and it wasn't able to function properly. The uneven power and shaky engine were because my camshaft wasn't able to adjust the timing accurately and the unusual noises? They were caused by the valves being out of sync due to the faulty adjustment. To fix it, they had to replace the diseased camshaft adjustment cable. It's not exactly a do-it-yourself affair, you'll need professional hands for this. It was fair bit of work, but necessary to avoid major engine trouble down the road. So, based on my experience, I'd say your instincts are pretty much on point. Recommend getting that Lodgy to a trustworthy mechanic stat, better safe than sorry, eh? Take care!

Hi there! That's a neat explanation! I have a 2015 Lodgy facing something pretty similar. I'm just wondering, how hard did this camshaft adjustment cable replacement hit your wallet? And since the fix, did any other crises surface or was that the all-clear for your Duster? Thanks for the help!

Hey! It did sting a bit - the whole camshaft adjustment cable fix came up to about €395. But hey, it was totally worth it to dodge a full engine meltdown, you know? Since that fix, I gotta say, the Duster's been running like a dream. So, as of now, no other crises have surfaced (touch wood!). Hopefully, your Lodgy gets back on track soon too. Take care!

Thanks for sharing! Now I have a ballpark figure in mind and also a fairly good idea of what's going on. I'll have to find a reliable mechanic this time to handle this mess. Keeping my fingers crossed that post-fix, the Lodgy sails smooth like your Duster. Cheers for all the helpful info, really appreciate it!

I have a Duster 2018 ,30,000km, petrol,1.2. Car has been standing not used for 6 months, started first time, ran on tick over for several minutes, then just stopped. On trying to start engine turned over perfectly but would not start, Dashboard came up with lots of lights all at the same time. Red STOP light, spanner light, slippery road light and a couple of others. I don't quite know where to start.

Start by checking the battery voltage, as a weak or discharged battery can cause multiple warning lights to appear and affect the engine's ability to start. If the battery is low, try charging it or jump-starting the car. Once the battery is charged, see if the warning lights persist and if the engine starts. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!