when i get into the accelerator, i can see a fairly big cloud of black smoke in the rear view. is this a sign of something bad?

 

I would say don't worry about it. Although I am not positive exactly what causes the black smoke, almost every turbo car I have seen on the gas does it. Someone else on the board will be able to help you out, but you should be OK.

 

Black smoke = rich fuel mixture = OK. Except you may foul your plugs, backfire a little, a little lower performance, and get crappy mileage.
Normal for the FD..

 

Black Smoke = rich A/F ratio
If it happens only the first time you go to WOT then not as much after, it just means carbon is building up in the exhaust system and CATs - it may be time for a DP and/or new main CAT. if it happens every time you hit WOT than you may be getting poor ignition check your plugs and if they are fouled/worm out replace them and your wires - on an FD it is usually a good idea to replace them together.

 

jaydogg, any mods? You're definitely running rich, but there are a few possibilities: bad spark plugs, fuel maps too rich, mass air sensor, to name a few. I hope this helps your search. Good luck!

 

I was running rich and use to shoot smoke, got it fixed though. PFC issues Anyway, check your plugs and stuff like everyone says

 

evel333:


FD don't have a MASS AIR SENSOR they use a SPEED DENSITY system hence the need for a MAP sensor and INTAKE AIR TEMP sensor.

 

a friend of mine that owned a FD for 5 yrs told me its the stock turbos going bad when there is black smoke. is this true?

 

I feel like an ***. Thanks maxpesce for the clarification. I knew someone would point it out. I thought I could get away with just putting "M"*** "A"ir. For the life of me, I couldn't remember if it were "F"low or "P"osition. Sorry for the vagueness.

 

Usually bad TURBOS leak OIL which causes a BLUE/GRAY smoke cloud (Like mine do)

 

LOL!!!

Yeah, that sounds about accurate. I currently have that problem too. It doesn't help that it's oil injected either.