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Black Smoke

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11K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  foxinthesun  
#1 ·
Hi everyone,
Having fixed the ticking of the A/C, (previous post) our 2006 Sorento XS Diesel is now producing clouds of black smoke. It started last week while on a motorway in Spain while pulling our 1700kg caravan, so we pulled in some service and bought a bottle of injector cleaner and tipped it into a 3/4 full tank. After about 30 miles the smoke decreased and finally stopped altogether. We hoped that was the end of it and it has been smoke free for eight days, including another short tow of 90 miles and a refill of diesel. Now a week or so later and with another fresh tank of of diesel, the problem has returned, again whilst towing.
Anyone have some idea of the cause?
Suggestions and help much appreciated.
Had car from new, 95,000 trouble free miles.
 
#2 ·
keep an eye on the oil level, it might be the turbo starting to pass oil, the crankcase fumes are recycled back in to the air intake and you do get oil mist in these fumes but it is not usually a lot, they can collect up if you have a steady driver and then you get someone in who boots it, this draws in the built up oil until it has got it all,
 
#3 ·
Thanks f0ster,
Oil level is fine. I have never put a drop in between services. The smoke is very sooty, it covers the front of the caravan with fine black grime. Went to a Kia dealer this afternoon in Coimbra, Portugal. They were not interested in giving an opinion, but would like the car in for two days next week to investigate. Unfortunately we are moving on before that, so may go to an independent if we can find one. perhaps another bottle of injector cleaner may help?
 
#6 ·
Thanks kev t. Can't see any spilts or problems with the intercooler, but will keep it in mind.
Lancelot1937, Air filter last changed on service (I presume) 3,000 miles ago, but will take it out to check that it was replaced. I have used the same branch of Kwik fit for service since the warranty expired and they have been very good up to this year, but I did notice all the old faces have gone this time. I have put another bottle of injector cleaner in this tankfull, not too optimistic, but you never know.
Just had a thought about the start of the problem. Travelling from Spain to Portugal we encountered the usual hill climbs over the Pyrenees but for the first time, on one particularly long climb of about 6-8 kilometres, the engine temperature rose to the 3/4 mark. It fell back again to its usual position a fraction below the half mark after we crested the hill. This has never happened on previous years, even on much steeper climbs. The temperature problem occurred briefly on one further climb but has since been OK. It was a few hours later on the same journey that we first noticed the black exhaust.
Don't know if it is related, but thought I would mention it.
We are moving on to Tomar next Wednesday, where we will stay for a while, so will take your advice and sort out a diesel specialist to have a look.
As I have said in previous posts, 95,000 almost trouble free miles, then three problems on one journey.
Just to top it all my leisure battery on the caravan died this week. Luckily we did not need the motor mover. Replaced it yesterday as there is a caravan accessory store here in Coimbra.
Going to remove the air filter now.
 
#10 ·
Call me pessimistic but I would avoid company's like Kwik fit etc for servicing and especially diagnostics.they are not trained mechanics and from what I,m led to believe are on bonus.if you don't have a reliable local garage I would look for a Kia dealer with a good reputation.they know what to look for in half the time of an independent.kev t.
 
#11 ·
Generally I would agree with you, but I have been very fortunate to have one of the exceptional Kwik fit branches close to home. They have looked after my Kia since the 3 year warranty expired and have always been very diligent. They even diagnosed and replaced the front prop UJ, even though it was not on their approved list of jobs. I guess I have been lucky, and if I was at home would not hesitate to use them.
Hopefully when we get to Tomar (Portugal) next week, I will find a good independent if their is no Kia garage. A few years ago Kia dealerships in the Iberia peninsular were small, sometimes one or two men workshops and we had all our servicing with them for the first three years as we were always over here when the service was due. Unfortunately, they are now becoming the same as the UK, large, multi badge dealerships with no personal touch. Here in Coimbra where we are staying is typical of today's multi dealerships. At least four badges, no one wants to discuss your problem, but will book us in for two days next week.
 
#14 ·
Many thanks f0ster, it was the EGR. Found a small specialist only a minute from campsite. Very knowledgeable and diagnosed it immediately. Ran diagnostics, no faults showing. They removed the EGR, manifold and other bits. Must have been a half jamjar of carbon in the cleaning tray. 6 1/2 hours at 19 euros an hour plus gaskets, cleaner etc, 200 euros total. So pleased the KIA dealers didn't want to know.
Thanks for the tip. Hope that's my lot for this trip.
 
#15 ·
I also have a Sorento 2006 XE (auto) that had the same problem. First thing to try is the air filter (even if it looks prettty clean as in the photo on this post. 2 of ebay for ÂŁ9.This caused my intercooler to blow, YES, literally spit apart and started dripping oil.
Replaced with a used one for ÂŁ80.
Turns out because of the blockage, the only other way the engine could breath was by drawing air/oil from the rocker cover sent into the intercooler by the turbo.
This improved it but did not cure it......The problem was the EGR valve, sticking. It has to be removed to service it properly but I took the advice of a mechanic and blanked it off just behind the exhaust return to the EGR valve. Cost = 0. No light brought up on the dash and goes straight through the MOT.
It has been great for the last 2 years. No smoke at all, more power and I am getting 34 miles to the gallon average on the motorway. I change the oil regular and check the air filter at least every 3 months as I do at least 900 miles per week..
Hope this helps.
 
#16 ·
Thanks Fylde123
That makes very interesting reading. I wish I had the mechanic block off the EGR when he cleaned it to prevent future problems. There was a certain amount of problem with language - I am in Portugal - but he was not really keen on doing it as he was sure it would produce a fault on the diagnostics, although we now know it will not.
I found it quite interesting that during the final checks before he handed back the car and it was still producing more smoke than he thought it should, he removed the circular filter in the large hose inboard from the air filter lid - I didn't even know there was one in that pipe - and cleaned it in his cleaning tray. After that the smoke was almost non existent on idle and revving while stationary.
I have had one more instance of black smoke when pulling the caravan, but certainly not as bad as before. We are now on the Algarve until mid January before we tow again. Cruising locally there is no smoke unless I really stamp on the accelerator, but then you would expect it anyway.
Very jealous of your mpg, mine hasn't hit 30 since the first week when it was new. 10,000 annual, 4-5k of those towing a 1600kg caravan and my overall is 23 (17-21 towing, depending on wind, 23 about town and 27 long runs).
There is a lot of sahara dust about just now, but I will change the air filter in the new year to see if it helps.
Thanks again for the post.