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My curiosity concerning the expertise of fellow Hyundai and Kia homeowners 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, at present, 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 dropping oil, however I used to be questioning if I haven’t got rock stable 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 a minimum of, however nothing loopy like 5k over. I’ve by no means gotten any work completed on the seller in addition to a number of oil adjustments, so I doubt they’re going to 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 maintain topping off the oil each week till I find yourself getting a brand new automotive? Can this realistically final for a number of years if I maintain including oil and ensure it by no means runs low/dry? Is there some other 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 prone 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, on account 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 autos are affected by this. Nonetheless, I’ve to present credit score to Hyundai for issuing its newest mass recall that impacts over 1,000,000 autos, a few of which over 10 years outdated. Then, there’s the problem of excessive oil consumption, which, from what I believe, 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 is not going to endure restore. If the oil consumption is greater than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, the engine can 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 dropping a few quart of oil on account of a leaky entrance predominant seal and valve cowl gasket.
Turbo engines are inclined 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 lowered 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 provide you with 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 strive a high finish cleaner (fancy piston soak).
But when they deny all that, I’d strive a minimum of three or 4 4,000-mile oil adjustments with Valvoline Restore and Shield 5w30. It’s designed to scrub up the engine and particularly the oil management rings, and should assist scale back your consumption. Been listening to fairly good critiques on it to this point. I’d strive that earlier than dumping the automotive.”
Missingcurlybracket says: “It’s a Kia direct injection 2.4L, it might very nicely 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 most likely need to do 3,750-mile intervals in line with the handbook’s extreme schedule which probably applies to you.
The handbook most likely 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 degree, maintain 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 maintain AWD. (@118k for me)
PCV valve change would possibly assist consumption.
I don’t hassle with the flowery oils personally except given a selected cause however value a shot.
Make sure the KSDS engine replace was utilized by the seller up to now for the guarantee on the underside finish.
And bear in mind, in the event you do the whole lot proper, you would possibly nonetheless have to drag tooth on the seller. There have been terrific and less-so experiences, so simply hope for the most effective.”
Remaining ideas
Whereas there isn’t any definitive proof that the oil-change intervals haven’t been religiously saved up with (other than the proprietor’s confession), any sludge buildup, discovered upon inspection, could possibly be utilized by the seller as an excuse to not substitute the engine. If we take the proprietor’s phrase as a right, 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 aim just isn’t unrealistic, it could be time to suppose for an engine overhaul or a substitute engine. Some variants of the Hyundai/Kia Theta engines are nonetheless in manufacturing, on some markets, however they’re steadily being phased out in favor of the brand new Smartstream engines.
In case you have an identical expertise or any insights, I’d love to listen to about them within the remark part beneath, so we will present a extra informative article for future reference.
Dimitar Angelov‘s automotive pursuits made him an knowledgeable in all kinds of autos. Japanese manufacturers like Toyota are closest to his coronary heart, though efficiency vehicles basically are his favourite section, which is why he’s always looking out for the most effective offers in the marketplace. Dimitar Angelov’s automotive ardour and knack for the written phrase led him to finish a Grasp of Arts in Media and Communications, and traditional automotive restoration. Dim is completely satisfied to get behind the wheel of any automotive and share his impressions. You’ll be able to observe Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Fb.
Picture supply: 2017 Kia Sorento
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