Seeking Advice on 2020 Dacia Lodgy's Exhaust Smoke, Check Engine Light, and Power Loss Issues: Potential Fuel Pressure Regulator Problem?

Hey! I've some experience with cars, n' by coincidence, I had a similar issue with my 2018 Dacia Sandero. After changing the fuel filter, my car started acting up n' I was seeing an error entry on my dashboard, much like what you're going through. To sort it out, I took it to my local workshop. The mechanic ran a diagnostics test which cost me 45€. Turns out that sometimes after changing the fuel filter, the system needs to be reset to clear the error entry. After the reset, all those problems - the black smoke, erratic power, and funky exhaust smell - all disappeared. Could you share some more details about your Lodgy? Specifically, have you done any recent repairs or changes, like I did with the fuel filter? That would help in diagnosing the issue. Remember, it's always better to have it checked by a professional. Cheers!

Yeah thanks for sharing your experience. I recently had the car serviced, probably about a thousand km ago, now the reading on the dial is around 90604 KM. But besides the standard oil change and stuff, nothing major was done, certainly not a fuel filter change. But your suggestion makes me wonder if something might've been bumped or disrupted during the service, which might be causing my issue. I'll get it checked out by a mechanic for sure. Cheers for the advice!

No problem! The service could indeed have rattled something loose or slightly off. I'm not saying it's a 100% certainty, but it's worth a check. If nothing major was done during the previous service, a sudden fuel pressure problem seems less likely, unless it's been gradually developing over time. One more thing, you might also want to check out the O2 sensor. It's responsible for regulating the fuel-air mixture, and if it's malfunctioning, might cause some of the issues you mentioned like black smoke, jerking on acceleration, and poor gas mileage. If you've the possibility, ask your mechanic to check it. Given the current symptoms, the diagnostic cost should be around the same I paid (45€) so you know what you're potentially getting into. Remember, the peace of mind knowing exactly what's wrong is sometimes worth the expense. Keep us posted on what happens, and wish you the best of luck with your car!

Thanks a lot! Your detailed replies have been super helpful. I hadn't considered the O2 sensor at all, but it does make sense considering the issues I'm having. I'll be sure to request the mechanic to look into that as well. And yes, knowing exactly what's wrong is definitely worth the potential diagnostic cost. I sure would rather fix it now than wait and possibly end up with a bigger problem down the line. I'll book an appointment with the garage today and will keep you updated. Really appreciate all your advice! Cheers!