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My curiosity relating to the expertise of fellow Hyundai and Kia house owners prompted me to scout out the Kia Discussion board, and my newest discover didn’t disappoint. Whereas some would say that Hyundai and Kia are, presently, doing what Toyota did some 20 years in the past, there are additionally recognized points that plague among the Korean fashions. One Kia Sorento proprietor finds himself in an attention-grabbing predicament as his 2017 SUV consumes irregular quantities of oil. This is what he says:
“I’ve a 2017 Sorento with the two.4L at 115kish miles. I used to be studying the TSB from Kia on the oil consumption and I’m could also be over their limits for how briskly it is shedding oil, however I used to be questioning if I haven’t got rock strong historical past of oil change, will Kia mainly deny a brand new engine even when my oil consumption is over the restrict? I do know I went over the mileage a number of instances no less than, however nothing loopy like 5k over. I’ve by no means gotten any work executed on the vendor apart from a number of oil adjustments, so I doubt they will do it as a courtesy with out extra historical past there.
If Kia doesn’t present a brand new engine, is my finest plan of action to simply hold topping off the oil each week till I find yourself getting a brand new automobile? Can this realistically final for a number of years if I hold including oil and ensure it by no means runs low/dry? Is there another preventative upkeep I can do to maintain this going until 150-200k?”
I see an issue immediately in the proprietor’s description of the issue. Going 5,000 miles over the really useful oil change interval a few instances isn’t any joke. In my expertise, whatever the engine or what the producer says, change the engine oil no later than 6,000 miles or 12 months. Sure, some engines are much less inclined to issues associated to irregular oil adjustments, however ultimately, issues happen.
The NHTSA investigation
The 2017 Kia Sorento in query comes outfitted with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine from the Hyundai/Kia Theta engine household. All of those engines are recognized to be very problematic, because of poor manufacturing, inflicting a major variety of engines to develop irregular quantities of noise and to grab. The Theta engine household has been burning a gap in Hyundai’s pockets and continues to plague even newer fashions.
Over 1.7 million Hyundai and Kia automobiles are affected by this. Nonetheless, I’ve to offer credit score to Hyundai for issuing its newest mass recall that impacts over one million automobiles, a few of which over 10 years previous. Then, there may be the problem of excessive oil consumption, which, from what I feel, is not being dealt with in one of the simplest ways.
In accordance with the technical service bulletin, if the engine’s oil consumption is lower than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, the engine won’t endure restore. If the oil consumption is greater than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, the engine will probably be topic to a restore.
In my expertise, a problem-free usually aspirated engine should not devour greater than a quart of oil per 6,000 miles. To place issues in perspective, the Lambda V-6 engine in my Hyundai Genesis Coupe was shedding a few quart of oil because of a leaky entrance essential seal and valve cowl gasket.
Turbo engines are likely to burn a bit extra by design, due to the turbocharger’s lubrication necessities and the very fact these engines generate extra warmth. Additionally, turbo engines historically use thinner piston rings for decreased drag.
Some fellow discussion board members have chimed in with potential options to the issue, however it could be too late at this level.
Rhysoul says: “I don’t suppose they’d offer you a brand new engine immediately, they’d do the oil consumption take a look at first (you come again each 1000 miles 3 instances) and if that fails, they’d attempt a prime finish cleaner (fancy piston soak).
But when they deny all that, I’d attempt no less than three or 4 4,000-mile oil adjustments with Valvoline Restore and Defend 5w30. It’s designed to scrub up the engine and particularly the oil management rings, and will assist cut back your consumption. Been listening to fairly good opinions on it to this point. I’d attempt that earlier than dumping the automobile.”
Missingcurlybracket says: “It’s a Kia direct injection 2.4L, it may very properly sh*t the mattress tomorrow as they’re recognized to do and it wouldn’t essentially be your fault in any respect.
What number of miles are we speaking anyway? 8000+ is pushing it. You’ll in all probability need to do 3,750-mile intervals in line with the handbook’s extreme schedule which possible applies to you.
The handbook in all probability says 7,500 usually, however don’t exceed 5,000 for this. you are able to do it in different vehicles, however not these.
Simply monitor oil stage, hold receipts, hope for the most effective.
There are others like coolant, brake fluid, trans fluid, rear diff/switch case when you’ve got an AWD, however the coupler itself is destined to ultimately fail and that’s a pair grand if you wish to hold AWD. (@118k for me)
PCV valve change would possibly assist consumption.
I don’t trouble with the flowery oils personally except given a selected purpose however price a shot.
Make sure the KSDS engine replace was utilized by the vendor prior to now for the guarantee on the underside finish.
And bear in mind, for those who do all the pieces proper, you would possibly nonetheless have to drag enamel on the vendor. There have been terrific and less-so experiences, so simply hope for the most effective.”
Ultimate ideas
Whereas there isn’t a definitive proof that the oil-change intervals haven’t been religiously saved up with (except for the proprietor’s confession), any sludge buildup, discovered upon inspection, could possibly be utilized by the vendor as an excuse to not change the engine. If we take the proprietor’s phrase without any consideration, it feels like the two.4-liter engine on this 2017 Sorento is consuming greater than a quart of oil per 1,000 miles.
Whereas the 150,000-mile objective isn’t unrealistic, it could be time to suppose for an engine overhaul or a alternative engine. Some variants of the Hyundai/Kia Theta engines are nonetheless in manufacturing, on some markets, however they’re progressively being phased out in favor of the brand new Smartstream engines.
In case you have an analogous expertise or any insights, I’d love to listen to about them within the remark part under, so we are able to present a extra informative article for future reference.
Dimitar Angelov‘s automotive pursuits made him an professional in all kinds of automobiles. Japanese manufacturers like Toyota are closest to his coronary heart, though efficiency vehicles usually are his favourite phase, which is why he’s continually looking out for the most effective offers in the marketplace. Dimitar Angelov’s automobile ardour and knack for the written phrase led him to finish a Grasp of Arts in Media and Communications, and traditional automobile restoration. Dim is completely happy to get behind the wheel of any automobile and share his impressions. You possibly can observe Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Fb.
Picture supply: 2017 Kia Sorento
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