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ClaudiWeiss

Seeking Advice on 2020 Renault Arkana Issues: Black Smoke, Stalling Engine, and Poor Fuel Economy

Check engine light on

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Black smoke from exhaust on acceleration

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Strong exhaust smell

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Unsteady engine

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Loss of engine power

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Poor fuel economy

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Stalling while idling

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Engine shuts off by itself

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Jerking on acceleration

Hey everyone, I need some advice on my 2020 Renault Arkana with a gasoline engine. Lately, it's been giving off black smoke when I accelerate, the engine has been stalling out, and I've been dealing with a check engine light, reduced power, shaky engine, and bad fuel economy. Not to mention a pretty potent exhaust smell and some chunky acceleration. I think the fuel pump could be the culprit but I'm not 100% on that. Have any of you had similar issues and know what the deal could be? What did the workshop say when you got it fixed? Appreciate your input on this!

4 comment(s)


BenjiSchu

Hey, I had a similar issue with my 2018 Renault Kadjar, and I'm not an expert but I have some experience with cars. Black smoke can come down to a host of stuff, but in my case, it was a defective wiring harness/plug. Took it down to my local workshop and the guys got it sorted for about 95 euro. It did help a lot with all the problems you mentioned. But, can you tell us more about your car’s mileage and whether you've recently had any significant work done on the car? Maybe I can suggest some more things you can check just based on my personal experience.

ClaudiWeiss (Author)

Hi there, Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience. Really, I appreciate that. I haven't done any significant work on my Arkana recently, and it just passed the 26978 km mark. The last service was a standard oil change, nothing more. Given your past experience, what else do you think I should check out?

BenjiSchu

Hey again, No worries at all, happy to share what I know. In the case of your Arkana, I think the issue could still possibly be related to your fuel supply system, judging from the symptoms. However, it's not necessarily the fuel pump like you initially thought. With the symptoms you're experiencing and the relatively low mileage of your car, I'd take a look at the fuel injectors. They might be clogged or leaking, leading to the poor engine performance and the black smoke. It could also be a faulty mass air flow sensor or even your spark plugs. Everything is pretty intertwined in engines these days, so it's hard to pin down one specific reason without a proper mechanical check. Another thing to watch out for could be the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve. If it's defective or clogged, it could cause power loss, rough idle, and increased fuel consumption, and potentially the black smoke. If you're not very handy with car stuff, I'd really recommend taking it to a skilled mechanic or a Renault workshop so they can run some diagnostic checks. And remember, if the check engine light is on, there should be some trouble codes stored in the car's computer that could also help identify the problem. Again, I'm no expert, just speaking from my own experience and a bit of knowledge I've gathered over time. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

ClaudiWeiss (Author)

Hey, I can't thank you enough. I hadn't even considered the fuel injectors to be honest, or the EGR valve, but now you've planted the seed, it all kinda makes sense. And I do get your point about the interconnectivity of the engine parts. Perhaps I was a tad bit simplistic in my initial suspicions. I'm gonna have my Arkana checked out by a mechanic, and will follow up on your suggestions. I will also have them check for stored trouble codes like you mentioned. Seriously, I appreciate all of your input and will be sure to let you know how it goes. Cheers!

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