Engine rattles and judders and smells burning - help!

[Itsevo]

The service light came on a week ago and I took it for a motorway run on advice to clear out.

Now my 1.6 TDI juddered to a halt. The engine rattles, hardly runs and smells burning - any ideas? Has my engine blown

Worried

Nick

[Itsevo]

Plus black smoke pouring out of exhaust

[DaveB]

If you mean the "service" warning at the bottom of the tacho dial, there should have been a corresponding message on the screen; according to the Owner's Handbook it covers faults, some major, some minor, for which there is no specific warning lamp. If the light's still coming on I would assume that the message will be shown when you switch the ignition on.

Going for a motorway run with a fault indicated was not a wise move; you were badly advised. Such warnings should be investigated & the fault cured before using the car, not ignored in the hope that they will go away. Let's hope yours is a minor fault. . . sadly, it doesn't sound minor.

[Itsevo]

Thanks a lot - the service light went off after a short run. But now the engine barely runs, very juddery and black smoke coming from exhaust. The emission filter was 41% blocked a week ago according to the computer

[DaveB]

Thanks a lot - the service light went off after a short run.

That's good news - it's an indication that it was probably a minor fault.

But now the engine barely runs, very juddery and black smoke coming from exhaust. The emission filter was 41% blocked a week ago according to the computer

You need to get it into a dealer as soon as possible; but I suspect you knew that! If you're lucky it's just a failed sensor or the ECU getting confused over something silly. . . I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!