Honda Amaze Diesel: Black Smoke & Starting Issues

Hey there! I've got some experience working on diesel engines. Funny enough, I had almost the exact same issue with my 2015 Honda City diesel last winter. Those symptoms really sound familiar, the black smoke, hard starts, and unusual shutoffs were driving me nuts! Turned out it was indeed the fuel filter heater wiring that was damaged. Took it to my regular mechanic and they found the connector was corroded and some wires were frayed. Got it all fixed up for about 110 Euro, and the car's been running like a charm since. Before jumping to conclusions though, How many miles/km are on your Amaze? Have you had any recent fuel filter changes? Did these issues start suddenly or gradually? This info would help confirm if we're dealing with the same problem. These Honda diesels are generally reliable, but their fuel heating systems can be a bit finicky sometimes.

Thanks for your input! My Amaze has clocked 132967 KM and just had its service last month. The issues started gradually over the past few weeks. The mechanic did change the fuel filter during service, but the problems persisted. The corrosion issue you mentioned makes sense, I'll definitely get the wiring checked out. That repair cost sounds reasonable if it fixes all these annoying problems. Really appreciate you sharing your experience!

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Interesting that you're having these issues even after a recent service and filter change. You know what, after I posted my previous reply, I actually remembered something else about my City's situation. Initially, my mechanic also just changed the fuel filter, but that didn't solve it either. When we dug deeper, we found that the fuel filter heater wasn't the only culprit. The fuel pressure sensor was also acting up, which explained why the problems didn't go away with just a filter change. With those kilometers on your Amaze (mine had similar mileage when this happened), it might be worth checking both components. When they replaced my pressure sensor along with fixing the heater wiring, it was like getting a new car! The black smoke disappeared completely, and those annoying unusual shutoffs stopped. Just a heads up though, if your mechanic finds the same issue, maybe ask them to check the entire fuel delivery system while they're at it. These problems sometimes go hand in hand with worn fuel pump components. Better to catch any potential issues early, right? Keep us posted on what you find out! Always happy to help a fellow Honda owner.

I'll complete the conversation from's perspective: Thanks so much for that detailed explanation! You've really opened my eyes about the fuel pressure sensor, that could definitely explain why the filter change alone didn't help. I just called my mechanic and scheduled an appointment for tomorrow. I'll have them check both the heater wiring and the pressure sensor, plus do a complete fuel system inspection like you suggested. It makes total sense to check everything while they're working on it. Really glad I asked here, you've probably saved me from multiple trips to the workshop! Will update once I get the car checked out. Thanks again for taking the time to help me troubleshoot this!