Troubleshooting Black Smoke, Check Engine Light, and Power Loss in 2012 Dacia Dokker with Gasoline Engine

Hey! I've got a 2010 Dacia Logan and experienced something very similar a while ago. I don't claim to be any automotive savant, but I do have some experience working on cars: a result of owning my fair share of vehicles with a penchant for shenanigans. I ended up seeking professional help as my engine light wouldn't turn off and I noticed a change in the exhaust smoke colour, just like you. Turned out, one of the lambda sensors was defective. Lambdas, in simpler terms, are responsible for ensuring proper fuel mixture for your engine. If it malfunctions, you end up with a rich fuel mixture, causing the black smoke and drop in power. The mechanic placed the car on the lift, found the faulty sensor and replaced it. Cost me about €375 all up, but it was worth it. Sorted out every issue in one go and it's been all smooth sailing since. Do you know whether your Dokker has one lambda sensor or two? Also, any history of problems with the emission system? Just trying to gauge a better understanding of your situation. Cheers!

Hey, thanks for taking the time to respond! Good to know you managed to nip the problem in the. Regarding your question about lambda sensors, I'm not totally sure, I probably should've paid better attention when I was at the last service! The car has racked up nearly 137438KM on the clock on my watch, but I don't remember any prior issues with the emission system offhand. I was hoping to avoid a trip to the mechanic - but the way you're describing it makes me realize I should probably seek expert help on this. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry, right? Really appreciate your input!

Hey, you're welcome! No worries, we all miss out on some details, more often than not. Given the symptoms you've described, and considering your Dokker's mileage, getting professional help does sound like the most sensible course of action. These sensors tend to wear off over time and mostly after clocking a significant mileage - so that could well be the cause. While I'm not saying this is definitely your issue, it just can’t be ruled out yet. The cost might be a tad steep but seeing your car run smoothly after it’s fixed is pretty pleasing. I should mention, though, if you’re handy with tools, you could attempt to find the faulty sensor and change it yourself - there's plenty of tutorials online. However, I'd only recommend this if you're confident and have the required tools at hand. And even then, you'd need a code reader to clear the engine light and any stored error codes. Remember, the lambda sensor was just my case, there might be other reasons causing your issues. So, definitely consult a specialist or mechanic to get a proper diagnosis on it. Hope things go well with your car's repair! Feel free to update us on what happens next. Safe driving!

Hey again! Seriously, I appreciate the support and your detailed advice. Based on all the info you provided, I think I'll go with the first option - visiting a mechanic. While I love to tinker on stuff, I'm certainly not confident enough to diagnose and replace parts in my vehicle, especially when it comes to getting my hands dirty with the emissions system. Certainly don't want to mess that up and damage something else by accident! Setting up an appointment with my local workshop this coming week to get things checked out and hopefully fixed. I'll be sure to come back and update you all once that's done! Drive safe till then, champ! Cheers!