Seeking Advice on Troubleshooting Issues with 2015 Dacia Duster: Black Smoke, Engine Light, Power Loss, and Poor Fuel Economy

Hey there, Oh boy, you're having quite a time with your Duster, aren't you? It sounds a lot like a situation I had with my 2013 Dacia Sandero. First things first, I'm not an expert mechanic, but I've got some experience with issues similar to yours. Turned out the culprit was a defective cable connection to the ignition coil in my case. Took it to my trusted workshop, a bunch of real steel-twisting wizards. They diagnosed it, replaced that faulty cable, did some tests, and voila – it was running like a champ again. Cost me around 365 Euro, not too bad for the peace of mind it brought. Though, bear in mind every case is unique. You might want to get your car to a reliable mechanic and get a proper diagnostic. Can you share a bit more about your car's recent history? More specifically, info on recent repairs or any symptoms leading up to this issue would help. Hang in there!

Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience and for the support. I haven't had any major repairs done on my Duster recently. I've been diligent with regular maintenance, even had a full service at around 112981 KM. There were no signs of trouble then. I can share a little more about the lead up to all this. Remember I said it has trouble starting sometimes? I noticed that about a month ago, mostly in the mornings when it was colder. Then the jerky acceleration started a few weeks back, initially only now and then, but it's become more regular. Then the black smoke and the check engine light popped up around the same time last week. The drop in power, odd idling, and occasional stalling have all been within this week. I thought at first I'd gotten some bad fuel or something. Gonna take your advice and book in a trip to the mechanic soon. Let's see what the wizards find there. Fingers crossed it won't burn too big of a hole in my pocket. Cheers!

Hey again, Sounds like you are on top of maintenance, that's commendable! The symptoms you mentioned definitely raises a few red flags. Just like your thought process, I initially suspected bad fuel when my Sandero started acting up before, turns out it was the ignition issue. Your symptoms align pretty neatly with what I've experienced before. Especially the harder starts in colder mornings, that's what started happening with my car too. The ignition coil plays a crucial part in starting the car, as it provides current to the spark plugs. If it or its connections are faulty, it would explain the irregular idling and jerky acceleration as well. Still, it's a good move to get a formal diagnosis. There could be various other reasons like a clogged fuel injector, a faulty fuel pressure regulator or a bad air filter. Make sure your mechanic checks these too. Just a small tip, if it's the ignition coil, get a good quality one, even if it comes at a higher cost. It actually makes a difference. Eager keen to hear what your mechanic says! And just think about the relief once your Duster is back on track. Take care!

Hey! Thanks for the tips and reassurances. I'll definitely keep those in mind and ensure the mechanic checks all those possibilities. Better to spend a little extra on getting a quality ignition coil if that's the issue indeed. It's my trusty ride after all, gotta keep her running well. I appreciate you putting my mind at ease. I'll get my Duster checked out as soon as I can and keep you updated on what the mechanic finds. Looking forward to having all these troubles sorted and hitting the road with a smoother run. Thanks again, really appreciate your help. Take care too!