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Repair Topics / Black Smoke

Car Black Smoke Questions and Answers

This category contains featured questions as examples. They relate to most vehicles.

Question: 1999 Ford Explorer 4.0 mileage: 110,000. The engine misses when cold or hot and black smoke and soot come out of the exhaust. I get three codes from the computer; 157,158,159 all deal with the mass airflow sensor. I've replaced the sensor and this still does not cure the problem. What else could be wrong?

Answer: Check the catalytic converter as it may be plugged. When a converter is plugged, the pressure in the exhaust system builds up to the point that the intake vacuum drops. This causes the mass airflow sensor to think there is a problem in the engine and set a code.



Question: 1998 Toyota Camry 4 cyl mileage: 30,000. We have owned the car about a month. The first week I noticed a terrible cloud of smoke when I first took off from a stoplight. It did it about 5 or 6 more times (every time), till I took it home for the night. I knew that the engine was bad. It is still under the bumper-to-bumper warranty so I had Toyota look at it. They couldn't get it to smoke, and I can't either whenever I want. It just does it every once in a while, but it has used about a qt of oil in 1500 miles. The oil level seems to go down in direct relation to the smoking incidents. In addition, it seems to be getting a little better, less smoke less often. My question is, what could be wrong and what advice could you give. Gene

Answer: Check the gaskets for signs of an oil leak and change the PCV valve.
New "How to Repair Guides"  -  Fuel Filter - Oil Filter - Air Filter - Radiator - Tune-Up


Question: 2004 Ford Windstar 2.3 mileage: 70,000. The van is running rich. You can see black smoke. At high rpm's runs ok, but rich. I did change the O2 sensor, the MAP sensor, the EGR sensor, the one in the back of the EGR, and the temperature sensor. Also, fuel filter, air filter and spark plugs. For moments when I stop, the excess gas disappears but a few seconds later, while idling, the smoke starts again and the engine misses a lot. When I press the accelerator, it starts running okay but you see the black smoke behind like a diesel engine.

Answer: The only thing you missed was replacing the fuel pressure regulator which is probably causing your problem.


Question: 1999 Ford F250 mileage: 110,000.  I am getting poor fuel mileage. When we hooked it up to the computer it came up rich condition [dah].  There is black smoke coming out of the tailpipe.  Anyway to the point.  After checking all of the sensors, we checked the fuel system.  We hooked up a fuel pressure gauge and when the engine is first started, the pressure is fine [38 psi spec is 35 -45 psi].  Then all of a sudden it goes up and pegs the needle [over 100 psi].  I believe the problem is in the tank selector solenoid.  Is this item rebuildable or do I have to get a new one?

Answer:   We do not believe your problem is the tank selector solenoid.  More than likely, it is the fuel pressure regulator.


Question: 1999 Volkswagen Golf mileage: 75,000. Lately my car is wasting too much gas and I notice black smoke is coming out.

Answer: Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, fuel filter and air filter, scan computer for trouble codes. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages.



Question: 2001 Dodge Dakoda mileage: 102,000. After the engine is fully warm, it will start to sputter. Black smoke will come out of the exhaust. It does not happen all the time. I have new wires, plugs, rotor, cap, pcv, oxygen sensor, and just about every other sensor you could think of. Timing is ok, idle speed ok, I checked for codes and none appear. I also checked for vacuum leaks and found none. The engine has no problems starting hot or cold. I did notice when the car was sputtering I could not get my timing light to work as if the timing was off. The car is in mint condition except for the high miles. So, I hate to trash it. Has the computer seen it days? Is there a way of resetting the computer? Any idea of what the problem may be?

Answer: You have done a through job of trouble shooting your problem. You mentioned your timing light not working when the problem is present. Two things come to mind, the pick-up coil in the distributor or the computer maybe failing. If the computer is failing it must be replaced.


Question: 1998 Chevy Camaro mileage: 101,000. I just got my car back from a person who intended on buying it but didn’t. Now there are many problems. I know some stuff about cars but you know more so please help me. My car runs ruff when first started, it also runs ruff when hot. It blows out black smoke, and has lost some power since I last had it. In addition, the transmission has to be redlined in order to shift gears anytime.

Answer: There are a number of things that can cause this condition. First, be sure the engine is properly tuned-up. Have the spark plug and plug sires been replaced? Distributor cap and rotor, fuel filter and oxygen sensor? Then scan PCM (computer) for fault codes. This will tell you if any engine control components have failed. Also check for vacuum leaks or bad vacuum hoses. Once the engine is running properly the transmission, "shift points" may be corrected

Repair Topics / Black Smoke

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