Skoda Praktik Petrol Engine Issues

Whoa, sounds rough! Stalling and smoke are never good signs. That fuel consumption hike points to a dodgy air/fuel mixture. First, have you checked the basics like the air filter and spark plugs? A clogged filter can mess with the air intake and cause all sorts of fuel injection mayhem. Also, any recent work done on the engine before this started?

Air filter was changed recently. Spark plugs also look fine. No recent work done. Is there a straightforward way to check these connections myself, or would I need specialized equipment?

Right, if the basic stuff is okay, and you suspect electrical gremlins in the injection system, things get trickier. Without a multimeter and some knowledge of the engine's wiring, probing those connections could create more problems than it solves. Seeing smoke makes me lean towards overfueling, which a bad injector signal could cause. Best bet is a workshop with diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact cause. It sounds like you need someone with the right kit to read the ECU and see what's going on.

Appreciate the input. It was indeed a faulty connection as you suspected. Got it sorted for 95€ at the workshop.