Low MPG and soot around exhaust

[baskie]

Noticed yesterday the MPG has dropped a lot since last couple of fills, also just noticed there is a lot of "soot" all over the rear bumper above the exhaust out.

Car is a 2.7 TDi 2003 eith about 60k no the clock. Otherwise in perfect order.

Any ideas what the problem might be?

 

[Terranosaurus]

I'm guessing the later trucks will have an exhaust lambda sensor - if so it could well be an exhaust leak upstream of the sensor. Sensor detects oxygen, enriches fuelling to try and compensate until its out of parameters.

 

[jims-terrano]

Soot on the back bumper is normal for mine, she has allways done it and covered owt I tow with it too.
How long is it since the filters were last changed?

Jim T

 

[Borky]

As far as we've been told at work although a diesel will have a cat there's no lambda sensor.
As Jim said how long since last service?
Excessive black soot is unburnt fuel but there will always be some soot.