Black smoke under heavy acceleration

Schnooks

More issues with my Saab, hope you don't mind me running this by yourselves. It's running fine, but when I accelerate hard (when the turbo boost needle hits the red) it shoots out black smoke every time. I'm hoping I don't have a bad turbo, and there does seem to be plenty boost. I find myself never accelerating hard lately, as I don't want to draw attention with the black smoke, it's a bit embarrassing

I know the obvious answer is to take it to a specialist, but service is not due for another 4K and am wondering what would be the likely cuplrit(s)that I might check into myself in the meantime. I did use EGR and MAF cleaner a couple of weeks ago and doesn't seem to have made much difference. There is no engine warning light on. Anyone have any idea of where else I should look? Or is it likely that 1 of the turbos is b*llixed?

Schnooks

Sorry this should probably be in the DIY maintenance forum. Mods please feel free to move if warranted

dieselbug

Hi, you really do need to get it checked for fault codes and move from there. Black smoke is either too much fuel or too little air and I'm afraid that is as much as can be said with any certainty without some checks.
Where are you based?

Schnooks

Thanks for the reply Dieselbug, based in Cork. Interesting take on too much fuel or too little air, it could be something less troublesome than a turbo.

But yes, it's time to get it to the garage as you say. I have memories of blown turbos (2!) in my 1990 200SX and throwing out black smoke was when you knew you were f*cked. Just hope I'm not looking at the same here.

selectamatic

Worn seals in the turbo would tend to produce smoke with a blue colour to it. And your oil level would be dropping between services.

When was the air filter last changed?

Also not accelerating hard every so often may be just compounding the problem, diesels suffer from carbon build up if they're driven easy all their lives.

Schnooks

selectamatic wrote: »

Worn seals in the turbo would tend to produce smoke with a blue colour to it. And your oil level would be dropping between services.

When was the air filter last changed?

Also not accelerating hard every so often may be just compounding the problem, diesels suffer from carbon build up if they're driven easy all their lives.

Good point about the air filter, and the easy driving also. Fairly sure my regular garage would have done it when necessary and I can check their work sheet(s) to see when it was last done. Or it's a job I can easily do myself. Worth a look though and I will take a peek tomorrow. Thanks selectamatic

selectamatic

Schnooks wrote: »

Good point about the air filter, and the easy driving also. Fairly sure my regular garage would have done it when necessary and I can check their work sheet(s) to see when it was last done. Or it's a job I can easily do myself. Worth a look though and I will take a peek tomorrow. Thanks selectamatic

Very much worth taking a look yourself at the air filter.

zilog_jones

selectamatic wrote: »

Worn seals in the turbo would tend to produce smoke with a blue colour to it. And your oil level would be dropping between services.

Yes, blue smoke is what is normally associated with turbo failure. Black smoke with a diesel could be caused by a variety of things.

Vittu

Schnooks wrote: »

More issues with my Saab, hope you don't mind me running this by yourselves. It's running fine, but when I accelerate hard (when the turbo boost needle hits the red) it shoots out black smoke every time. I'm hoping I don't have a bad turbo, and there does seem to be plenty boost. I find myself never accelerating hard lately, as I don't want to draw attention with the black smoke, it's a bit embarrassing


I know the obvious answer is to take it to a specialist, but service is not due for another 4K and am wondering what would be the likely cuplrit(s)that I might check into myself in the meantime. I did use EGR and MAF cleaner a couple of weeks ago and doesn't seem to have made much difference. There is no engine warning light on. Anyone have any idea of where else I should look? Or is it likely that 1 of the turbos is b*llixed?

Injectors could need cleaning or replacing

dieselbug

Inlet manifold might be a good starting point (swirl flaps) also all boost hoses and anything to do with airflow.

Schnooks

Thanks for the replies.

I checked the air filter and actually bypassed it and took the car for a spin, same story. Can't spot any obvious air leaks while car is running, main turbo intercooler hose is perfect.

Time to bite the bullet and get it to the garage I think. Problem is that the specialist where I live doesn't have much interest in mechanics anymore, he is more into sales now. I suppose the place where I get it serviced regularly should be able to diagnose it.

Jules382

Please let us know what happens. I have a very similar problem with my TTiD which I am trying to resolve.

Schnooks

Jules382 wrote: »

Please let us know what happens. I have a very similar problem with my TTiD which I am trying to resolve.

Will do. Don't have a huge amount of confidence in my regular garage for anything outside regular stuff like servicing, suspension, etc. We'll see what they come back with.

FR85

There is a very helpful Facebook group called Saab Owners Of Ireland, some very helpful people on there. To be properly diagnosed you need to get them onto Tech ll.

I have an Esid 2 if you are every around Dublin/Kildare if you are ever this way, it won't give you a diagnosis but it will let you see what your DPF is at, how full it is and when it last did a regen.

Jules382

Schnooks wrote: »

Will do. Don't have a huge amount of confidence in my regular garage for anything outside regular stuff like servicing, suspension, etc. We'll see what they come back with.

Thanks. I have booked mine in on a Tech II at the local specialist near Cork. They can't look at it until late next week though. My usual mechanic who I trust, doesn't know what to make of it. He has checked all the usual suspects and all are fine. I can't get better than 45MPG out of it despite doing a lot of long runs.

biko

Moved out from old thread

Schnooks

Feckin intercooler hose again. Had a mechanic friend take a quick look and he thought he felt a hole on the underside of this large hose, not visible from above. Sure enough, when we removed it, that was the issue. It's embarrassing as this was one of the first places I checked myself (as stated earlier in this thread), but I didn't check it properly :o

Strange as this is the 3rd time that hose has developed a fault, and the symptoms were completely different every time. I have ordered a new silicon-based one which should be more robust hopefully.

Thanks for all the helpful posts and apologies if I wasted peoples time again!!

Jules382

Schnooks wrote: »

Feckin intercooler hose again. Had a mechanic friend take a quick look and he thought he felt a hole on the underside of this large hose, not visible from above. Sure enough, when we removed it, that was the issue. It's embarrassing as this was one of the first places I checked myself (as stated earlier in this thread), but I didn't check it properly :o

Strange as this is the 3rd time that hose has developed a fault, and the symptoms were completely different every time. I have ordered a new silicon-based one which should be more robust hopefully.

Thanks for all the helpful posts and apologies if I wasted peoples time again!!

SNAP!!!!! Exactly the same. Awaiting delivery of silicone hose tomorrow. Hope it cures the problem!!!!

Schnooks

Jules382 wrote: »

SNAP!!!!! Exactly the same. Awaiting delivery of silicone hose tomorrow. Hope it cures the problem!!!!

Yep all sorted when I replaced the hose Jules. Is your car also a Saab 93?

Jules382

Schnooks wrote: »

Yep all sorted when I replaced the hose Jules. Is your car also a Saab 93?

Yes, it's a MY2011 TTiD 9-3 Aero 180. Have replaced hose now with a silicone one, but still down on power and running rich with bad fuel consumption. Getting about 22PSi on full boost, should be around 28 Going to clean EGR and throttle body next. Mechanic can't find another boost leak anywhere.