Hi everyone, I'm looking for some help.

I am currently on holiday and 1000miles from home. I am driving a lot of mountain roads currently and noticed a couple of days ago black smoke from the exhaust low revs in 2nd and 3rd gear.

I am wondering if it might be the intercooler hose but haven't looked yet. The car is serviced regularly and the air filter/fuel filter/oil filter was changed 5000 miles ago.

My worry is the check engine amber warning light has now come on. So how urgent is this? Will my car go into limp mode? Do I need to get it checked right away? Am I ok to drive home but should restrict my miles as much or possible. Or am I ok to drive it like it is for another week?

Last edited by a100ian on 11th Sep 2023 12:08 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Looked on your profile can’t see any car details.

I'd say get to a mechanic ASAP to get error codes read. Speculating from afar won't be very helpful I fear and wrong advice could be very expensive indeed. 1000 miles is a long way for an ailing engine.
HTH. MY11 SD4 SE Auto

Sorry it's a 2008 td4 GS with 160,000 on the clock

It's due an oil change soon. 6k miles is the oil change interval.

Smoke is a good indication of a loss of boost pressure, often accompanied by a hissing sound. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, my daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.

Thanks all for the comments. Upon inspection tonight by torchlight I can see a split in the intercooler hose (the small one under the throttle bodies). I will try to tape and/or glue it up for now until I can source a new one.

I ran mine for about a month with a few wraps of gaffer tape around it. Take the hose clips off, wrap tightly with tape, and refit the hose clips, which will help keep the tape in place.
I carry a spare of that hose too, although mine is now silicone. Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate. The family car.
2009 Rimini Red SE TD4. Gone.
2006 Tonga Green i6 HSE. Gone.
Audi A5 convertible, my daily driver.
1972 Hillman Avenger GT, the project.

Thanks Nodge, that gives me hope that it will make it back. I think I'll change all mine for silicone ones when home.