Honda XRV Engine Stalling Smoke

Oh, I feel your pain! I had similar issues with my old 2014 Opel Astra – different car, I know, but the symptoms sound eerily familiar. Higher fuel consumption is a classic sign of a malfunctioning mass air flow (MAF) sensor. Basically, this sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine, which the car's computer uses to calculate the correct fuel mixture. When it goes bad, the computer gets inaccurate information, leading to an improper air/fuel ratio. That can cause all sorts of problems, including engine stalling and even black smoke if it's running too rich. Was it expensive to fix on your Honda?

Thanks for the reply! It's good to know I'm not alone. You mentioned your Opel Astra. Did you also see the 'check engine' light? And how did you pinpoint the MAF sensor as the culprit? Did you replace it yourself, or did you take it to a mechanic?

Absolutely, the check engine light was on constantly! I actually tried a few things before I was certain it was the MAF sensor. The first thing was I checked all the hoses and connections around the air intake to make sure there weren't any leaks. Then I tried cleaning the MAF sensor with a special MAF sensor cleaner spray. That helped for a short time, but the problem came back. Eventually, I took it to my trusted mechanic, who confirmed it was the MAF sensor. Unless you're comfortable working on cars yourself, I would suggest getting it checked out by a professional. I think you need to check the LMM!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! It sounds like I'm heading down the same path. I appreciate the advice; I'll take it to a workshop. They confirmed it was the mass air flow sensor and replaced it. The repair cost me 365€. Hopefully, this solves all the issues.