What Causes Diesel Engine Power Loss and Black Smoke?
2 Answers
It is mostly caused by incomplete combustion due to uneven or excessive fuel supply to each cylinder, insufficient air intake, poor atomization, or premature injection timing. Under high-temperature and oxygen-deficient conditions in the combustion chamber, incompletely burned diesel fuel decomposes and polymerizes to form carbon soot. This carbon soot is not pure carbon but rather tiny polymer particles. These solid carbon particles react much slower than vaporized fuel, resulting in unburned black smoke being emitted. Therefore, it is essential to perform regular maintenance on the vehicle. Below is an introduction to car maintenance: 1. Introduction to Car Maintenance: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, replenishing, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the vehicle, also known as vehicle servicing. 2. Scope of Car Maintenance: Modern car maintenance mainly includes the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, and other related components. 3. Purpose of Car Maintenance: The purpose of car maintenance is to keep the vehicle clean, maintain normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent malfunctions, slow down the deterioration process, and extend the service life.
My old diesel pickup had this same issue before, mainly caused by a few common problems. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, leaving the engine gasping for air and losing power. If the fuel injectors have poor atomization or the fuel pump pressure is off, incomplete diesel combustion results in black smoke. A stuck or leaking turbocharger is also troublesome - once my boost pipe cracked and billowed black smoke instantly. An EGR valve stuck open introduces too much exhaust gas. If you notice black oil dripping from the exhaust pipe, it's likely worn piston rings letting oil into the combustion chamber. Checking trouble codes is easiest; otherwise, inspect in this order: air filter, fuel system, then exhaust.
