Seeking Advice on Resolving Black Smoke, Check Engine Light and Power Issues on 2001 Mazda MX5

Hey there! I get your struggle, I've seen this stuff before. I have a 1999 Mazda 323, just a tad older than your MX5. I can't claim to be a car guru or anything, but I've picked up a bit of experience here and there, you know? Sounds like you've got an issue similar to mine, my beast was choking on fumes just like yours. Ended up being the Cable connections, they were defective. I had them fixed in a local workshop. The cost? Not too over the top, I think it was around 95€. Then again, maybe I got lucky with a good mechanic, who knows. Seems like you could be running into the same issue, bud. Now if you’re okay with it, can you give me some more deets on your car? Mileage, recent works or modifications done. Might help me wrap my head around your issue a touch better. Hang in there let's figure this out together!

Hey, appreciate the insights! Sounds like a similar sort of problem - a real pain for sure. My MX5 recently hit the 69260 KM mark, so I reckon it's lived a decent life so far. As for recent works, I don't recall anything major, just the usual service and oil changes. Looks like I should definitely inspect those cable connections, based on your experience. Hopefully, the damage isn't too pricey to fix. Let's cross fingers, eh? Will keep you posted after the mechanic checks it out! Cheers!

Hey! I'm glad my previous experience could shed a bit of light on your situation. Your MX5's mileage is relatively low for the year of the car, so hopefully, it's not anything too intensive or expensive! But cars will be cars, right? They start giving us a headache now and then. It’s never as simple as we’d like it to be. That said, your regular maintenance, obvi should have somewhat eliminated the odds of major problems, but as I like to say,” Cars have a mind of their own”. The best way moving forward would be to have your mechanic check on the possible problem. Cable connections might just be a start - there might be more to it given the rough run with the engine and the excessive fuel consumption. It might be related to the fuel injection system too, or components like your Mass Air Flow sensor or the oxygen sensors failing. Please keep in mind that I’m not a certified mechanic, this is mostly an educated guess from a fellow car enthusiast. I’m just trying to help a out with some shared knowledge. Nevertheless, I hope it turns out to be something minor and manageable for you. Waiting to hear back from you soon! Best of luck at the workshop!

Hey dude! you ain't kiddin', these beasts sure have a mind of their own, huh? Can't win 'em all, I guess. Those are some really insightful points though, never occurred to me it could be something as specific as the Mass Air Flow sensor or the oxygen sensors. Your educated guess is ten times better than what I could've come up with, so it's all helpful, eh? I'm super grateful for your input, it’s comforting to chat with someone who's been in the same boat. Thanks for giving me things to check out other than that fuel sensor I was so fixated on. Let's hope it boils down to an easy, no-mega-bucks-needed kind of fix. And yeah, the mechanic's now got a watchlist thanks to you. Once he pokes around under the hood, I'll be sure to let you know the outcome! Catch you soon! Cheers!