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My curiosity concerning 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, at present, doing what Toyota did some 20 years in the past, there are additionally identified points that plague among the Korean fashions. One Kia Sorento proprietor finds himself in an fascinating predicament as his 2017 SUV consumes irregular quantities of oil. Here 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 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 occasions at the very least, however nothing loopy like 5k over. I’ve by no means gotten any work finished on the supplier 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 only preserve 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 preserve 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 straight away in the proprietor’s description of the issue. Going 5,000 miles over the advisable oil change interval a few occasions is not 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 vulnerable 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 identified to be very problematic, as a result of poor manufacturing, inflicting a big 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 previous. Then, there may be the difficulty of excessive oil consumption, which, from what I believe, is not being dealt with in one of the best ways.
Based on the technical service bulletin, if the engine’s oil consumption is lower than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, the engine won’t bear restore. If the oil consumption is greater than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, the engine might be topic to a restore.
In my expertise, a problem-free usually aspirated engine should not eat 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 as a result of a leaky entrance foremost 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 diminished drag.
Some fellow discussion board members have chimed in with potential options to the issue, however it might be too late at this level.
Rhysoul says: “I don’t suppose they’d provide you with a brand new engine straight away, they’d do the oil consumption check first (you come again each 1000 miles 3 occasions) and if that fails, they’d strive a high finish cleaner (fancy piston soak).
But when they deny all that, I might strive at the very least three or 4 4,000-mile oil adjustments with Valvoline Restore and Defend 5w30. It’s designed to wash up the engine and particularly the oil management rings, and should assist cut back your consumption. Been listening to fairly good evaluations on it up to now. I’d strive that earlier than dumping the automotive.”
Missingcurlybracket says: “It’s a Kia direct injection 2.4L, it may very properly sh*t the mattress tomorrow as they’re identified 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 seemingly 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 automobiles, however not these.
Simply monitor oil stage, preserve receipts, hope for one of the best.
There are others like coolant, brake fluid, trans fluid, rear diff/switch case if in case you have an AWD, however the coupler itself is destined to ultimately fail and that’s a pair grand if you wish to preserve AWD. (@118k for me)
PCV valve change would possibly assist consumption.
I don’t hassle with the flowery oils personally except given a selected motive however price a shot.
Make sure the KSDS engine replace was utilized by the supplier up to now for the guarantee on the underside finish.
And bear in mind, if you happen to do every little thing proper, you would possibly nonetheless have to drag enamel on the supplier. There have been terrific and less-so experiences, so simply hope for one of the best.”
Last ideas
Whereas there is no such thing as a 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, might be utilized by the supplier as an excuse to not change 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 will not be unrealistic, it might 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 the same expertise or any insights, I might love to listen to about them within the remark part beneath, so we are able to 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 automobiles usually are his favourite phase, which is why he’s consistently looking out for one of the best offers available on the market. Dimitar Angelov’s automotive ardour and knack for the written phrase led him to finish a Grasp of Arts in Media and Communications, and basic automotive restoration. Dim is glad 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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