Hi all, I have noticed that my TL AWD is starting to drive like a pig - very sluggish, noisy, rough and belching dark smoke from the exhaust.

When pulling away normally from the lights, I can see clouds of smoke in my rear view mirror, especially at night, where the headlights of the car behind merely serve to magnify my embarrassment.

The sluggishness is quite severe as well. I understand that AWD's are pretty sluggish at the best of times, but I now need to apply at least 50% throttle just to keep the car trundling along in 5th at 50-60km/h. Trying to overtake (Eg. 90-110km/h) is painfully slow.

Jeff (DynamiteZerg) seems to think it is the O2 sensor, but my mechanic thinks there could be other issues too.

The car has never skipped a service and timing belt, spark plugs were all done at Easter. It is due for a service soon, but previously the car's performance would never deteriorate so badly when it was due to be serviced. It has 160,000km on it.

I would appreciate any thoughts and feedback, if anyone has had similar experiences, and what the remedy was.

Cheers
Justin

Hi all, I have noticed that my TL AWD is starting to drive like a pig - very sluggish, noisy, rough and belching dark smoke from the exhaust.

When pulling away normally from the lights, I can see clouds of smoke in my rear view mirror, especially at night, where the headlights of the car behind merely serve to magnify my embarrassment.

The sluggishness is quite severe as well. I understand that AWD's are pretty sluggish at the best of times, but I now need to apply at least 50% throttle just to keep the car trundling along in 5th at 50-60km/h. Trying to overtake (Eg. 90-110km/h) is painfully slow.

Jeff (DynamiteZerg) seems to think it is the O2 sensor, but my mechanic thinks there could be other issues too.

Does it run okay from a dead cold start and then go bad as the engine warms up? If so, pull the O2 sensor - if its covered in crud, its dead. 160000km is about the design life for O2 sensors when I last read up on the topic.

I got a new genuine replacement from MadMagna some months ago for around $135 posted.

Does it run okay from a dead cold start and then go bad as the engine warms up? If so, pull the O2 sensor - if its covered in crud, its dead. 160000km is about the design life for O2 sensors when I last read up on the topic.

I got a new genuine replacement from MadMagna some months ago for around $135 posted.

Genuine's are all made by NGK or denso anyway, a brand new one from supercheap (NGK direct replacement) is about $90. All made in japan too!

My AWD is not a slug - it's about as quick as a recent XR6 Falcon, so I'm a little worried about your car.

I don't think a dead O2 sensor would make things that bad - I'm guessing it's more drastic like your running on 5 cylinders.
Check all plug leads and spark plug conditions if you can (3 should be easy to check).

I would only expect excessive fuel consumption from a dead O2 sensor, not clouds of dark smoke.
If it was a diesel, that means its running rich. Not sure if a petrol engine does the same....

make sure the MAF is plugged in as well, I know I have forgotten to plug in my MAF when I play around with my KS and boy do i get lots of smoke from being SO rich...

My AWD is not a slug - it's about as quick as a recent XR6 Falcon, so I'm a little worried about your car.

I don't think a dead O2 sensor would make things that bad - I'm guessing it's more drastic like your running on 5 cylinders.
Check all plug leads and spark plug conditions if you can (3 should be easy to check).

I would only expect excessive fuel consumption from a dead O2 sensor, not clouds of dark smoke.
If it was a diesel, that means its running rich. Not sure if a petrol engine does the same....

I've driven an FG XR6, VERY sluggish.

Anyways, my money is on your o2 - Important question: What colour smoke - Black, white, or blue?

Black - Over Fueling/dead cat
Blue - Oil burning
White - Coolant burning

Black - Over Fueling/dead cat
Blue - Oil burning
White - Coolant burning

What colour smoke would you get if you had all 3 problems? My guess is a dark pink. lol Lilac? Black with white and blue stripes?

Hmmm. Just noticed the "no spam" in the heading. I will shut up now. lol

I've driven an FG XR6, VERY sluggish.

Anyways, my money is on your o2 - Important question: What colour smoke - Black, white, or blue?

Black - Over Fueling/dead cat
Blue - Oil burning
White - Coolant burning

You're an idiot sometimes. How does coolant burn exactly?

FG xr6 pulls a 14.7 stock alot quicker than an auto magna.

You're an idiot sometimes. How does coolant burn exactly?

id say he means being "processed" into the combustion chamber along with the fuel/air mix due to cracked head,gasket block etc?

FG xr6 pulls a 14.7 stock alot quicker than an auto magna.

get it right... everyone here knows that a stock AWD is slow and just about anything could beat it in a straight line...

get it right... everyone here knows that a stock AWD is slow and just about anything could beat it in a straight line...

Get wat right. Everything i said in my reply was true.?

Get wat right. Everything i said in my reply was true.?


but does it relate to the OP?


Try checking all your leads, plugs (pull off your inlet manifold) and make sure everything is plugged in and working. you might have a dead spark plug which makes it run like a bar fridge

but does it relate to the OP?


Try checking all your leads, plugs (pull off your inlet manifold) and make sure everything is plugged in and working. you might have a dead spark plug which makes it run like a bar fridge

If it was misfiring he'd know, car wouldn't run right at all. - although he's said they are new plugs which is weird.


You're an idiot sometimes. How does coolant burn exactly?
Not a stupid question at all, blown headgasket and you will burn water. Diamante was doing it, white smoke.

I think it needs a good looking over Cat blocked maybe?
Could be so many things...

Hows your ignition timing?
has that been changed/touched at all? i had my timing out when replacing the distributor and she was terrible...

or possibly an ecu error?

I'm also thinking blocked cat and O2 sensor as mine too is not as perky as it used to be. Plus my economy has skyrocketed aswell.
Gonna look into it as soon as this mega busy period I'mhaving at work is over.

I'm with the busted O2 sensor leading to a ageing Cat going. Had this problem with a old Pulsar many years ago, one will lead to other. Once I replaced the O2 sensor, Cat and the plugs much happier "revvier" engine.

Driving like crap and blowing clouds of smoke. My money is going on that you are currently driving a V5. Probably a fouled spark plug or faulty lead/connection.

but does it relate to the OP?


Try checking all your leads, plugs (pull off your inlet manifold) and make sure everything is plugged in and working. you might have a dead spark plug which makes it run like a bar fridge

Yes cause one of the guy thinks his AWD is as fast as the new falcons. So now he might think something isnt as badely wrong with his car or if anything.

Hi guys, thank you all very very much for your suggestions. It is greatly appreciated.

It runs similarly when cold and when warmed up ; Admittedly I take things very easy when cold, but I don't notice any differences when driving similarly when warmed up.

Seems like it is a faulty O2 sensor, and quite possibly a dead cat too. I have a a VR muffler but notice the car is quite loud (maybe gradually getting louder as the cat collapses) - I should get it checked too.

The car has developed an intermittent 'ticking' or 'sparking' type of sound at idle, a rapid, quick 'tick-tick-tick' (about 1/3 of a second apart) and it does it every few seconds.

Mechanic thinks it could be a loose lead (thus maybe I am running on 5 cylinders)

The plot thickens..........like my exhaust fumes (which is like a dirty brownish colour)

Hi guys, thank you all very very much for your suggestions. It is greatly appreciated.

It runs similarly when cold and when warmed up ; Admittedly I take things very easy when cold, but I don't notice any differences when driving similarly when warmed up.

Seems like it is a faulty O2 sensor, and quite possibly a dead cat too. I have a a VR muffler but notice the car is quite loud (maybe gradually getting louder as the cat collapses) - I should get it checked too.

The car has developed an intermittent 'ticking' or 'sparking' type of sound at idle, a rapid, quick 'tick-tick-tick' (about 1/3 of a second apart) and it does it every few seconds.

Mechanic thinks it could be a loose lead (thus maybe I am running on 5 cylinders)

The plot thickens..........like my exhaust fumes (which is like a dirty brownish colour)

I've just had this problem. It was a loose plug, causing the lead to pop out & stay there. On LPG the car wouldn't drive at all - much like what you're describing. Petrol wasn't too bad, though.That probably explains the ticking, but I didn't have smoke to go with my issue.

I've just had this problem. It was a loose plug, causing the lead to pop out & stay there. On LPG the car wouldn't drive at all - much like what you're describing. Petrol wasn't too bad, though.That probably explains the ticking, but I didn't have smoke to go with my issue.

Hmmm... seems very likely. As for the smoke, my guess is the O2 sensor is rooted and so is the cat.