Seeking Solutions for a '05 Kia Carens: Black Smoke, Power Loss, and Possible Exhaust Leak

Hey! Sounds like I had a very similar problem with my '03 Kia Optima. Just so you know, I'm not a mechanic but I tinker quite a bit and have some experience on the issue you're describing. A lambda sensor was defective in my Optima, which led to black smoke from the exhaust, a sneaky engine light, and massive power loss - just like you mentioned with your Carens. I ended up taking it to my local workshop. The lads were pretty good, diagnosed the issue swiftly, and replaced the lambda sensor. Voila! The car was back to normal. Set me back by 375€ but definitely worth it to see the back of those issues. Quick question - Have you noticed any odd noises coming from your engine apart from the exhaust leak smell? This could give us a few more clues. Hopefully, this helps and your problem gets sorted soon. Cheers!

Hey! Thanks for your insight. A defective lambda sensor, that's an angle I hadn't considered. I'll certainly keep that in mind. As for unusual noises, I haven't really noticed anything out of the ordinary, just the usual rumble and the pesky exhaust leak smell. My Carens being at 104097 km, is it common for the lambda sensor to give out around this mileage? I guess it could be about time for a replacement if that's the case. Appreciate your help, it’s always nice to get some knowledgeable advice. I'll drop by my workshop and see if they can run a diagnostic. Fingers crossed it's nothing more serious! Catch ya later. Cheers!

Oi! Good to hear back from you! From my own experience, there's no universal mileage marker when the lambda sensor gives up the ghost. A lot of different factors come into play like driving habits, fuel quality, and the overall health of your engine. Generally speaking, though, I've noticed a lot of cars start having lambda sensor issues around the 100K km mark. Your Carens' mileage fits that bill! You've got the right idea about heading to the workshop. A thorough diagnosis should give you all the answers you need. It can be a bit of a hassle, but believe me, it's far better than driving with an angry check engine light! Remember to keep all of us updated on how things pan out. If it turns out to be something different, you’ll be adding to our collective wisdom here. Good luck and hope your Carens gets its mojo back soon! See you around! Cheers!

Hey again! Your wisdom is priceless indeed! Agree with what you're saying about there being no hard and fast rule regarding the lambda sensor's lifespan - makes sense that it all depends on the individual car and its conditions. Right then, I guess it's off to the workshop with me and the old Carens then! The collective wisdom on here is fantastic, I'll definitely be sharing whatever diagnosis comes out to add to it. The check engine beast needs taming, and hopefully we'll have it sorted soon! Thanks a ton and hope to chat again under more positive circumstances. Catch you later and cheers!

I have this isssue but the only symptom is that the check engine light came on. Any ideas?

The check engine light can be triggered by a variety of issues, both minor and major. A simple first step is to check if your gas cap is tight - a loose cap can cause the light to come on. If the light stays on, it's best to get your car's computer scanned for error codes. Most auto parts stores will do this for free. Once you have the codes, you can look them up online or bring them here for further advice. Please keep us updated on your progress.