Dacia Lodgy Diesel Issues: Black Smoke, Engine Failures, and Check Engine Light Concerns

Hey there, I totally get you. I had a similar issue with my '19 Dacia Sandero last year, trust me, it isn't any fun. Turns out, it was indeed the fuel filter heater wiring harness/connector that was giving me grief. The symptoms were pretty much the same - engine dying, black smoke, pesky check engine light, and reluctant starts. My garage took a closer look and found the wiring harness/connector was damaged. It was unquestionably the reason why my gem was acting up. Fixing it involved replacing that faulty connector. The tricky part was getting in there and sorting it out, but once they got to it, it was a relatively straightforward process. Solved all the problems in one shot. I must say, it wasn't necessarily 'hard' to fix, but it was certainly a serious issue that you wouldn't want to neglect. I'd suggest going to a trusted mechanic who's familiar with Dacia models. Have him check out the fuel filter heater and the wiring harness/connector immediately. I hope this helps and your Lodgy gets back on track soon. Best of luck! Cheers!

Hey! Thanks for your reply, it's nice to know someone else has been in this situation -- though sorry you had to go through it, it's a proper mess. Your case sounds exactly like mine. I think you're spot on with the fuel filter harness/connector. Quick question - do you happen to remember how much that set you back? I'm not looking forward to the bill, but it would be good to know what I'm in for. And since you got it fixed, has anything similar popped up or has your Sandero been behaving? Thanks again for the advice! Cheers!

Hey! No worries! It's always good to share what we've gone through to help out a fellow driver. And yeah, it was a bit of a mess, indeed. But it was sorted out at the end of the day. Coming back to your question, the repair set me back by 110€. It included the cost of a new wiring harness and the labor. But considering the hassle it was causing on a daily basis, it felt worth it. Ever since fixing the fuel filter heater defect, my trusty Sandero has been behaving herself. No black smoke, no dying engine or starting problems. Essentially, none of that drama from before. So, in my opinion, it was money well spent to get rid of the aggravation. Hope this gives you a fair idea of what to expect. Fingers crossed your Lodgy bounces back soon! Cheers!

Hey! Thanks for the additional details - specifically about the cost. 110 €, while on the salty side, does sound more than worth it to have my Lodgy running properly again. Your story, though unfortunate, does reassure me a bit. It's always a fear that one fault might just be the start of a parade of similar ones but it's great to hear your Sandero has been on her best behavior post-fix. Thanks again - really appreciate your advice. Barring any surprises, I'll schedule an appointment with my mechanic sooner than later. Guess it's time to bid farewell to the black smoke and moody starts. Wish me luck and cheers!