Kia-Forums.com is owned and operated by AutoForums.com, Inc. Kia-Forums.com is an enthusiast website dedicated to the discussion of Kia Vehicles, Kia Family Cars and Kia SUVs. Kia-Forums.com is completely unofficial and is not endorsed in any way by KIA Motor Corp, its affiliates, or its subsidiaries. KIAź is a registered trademark of KIA Motors Corp. in Canada, the United States, and in other countries around the world. No challenge to the status of KIAź's registered trademarks is intended.
Ive been through a lot of different issues with my girlfriends 2000 kia sportage 2wd, auto, 112,000 miles. This car has taught me a lot regarding car repairs, and it helped me on a new level that is needed for Obd2 cars. Im writing and devoting this thread for anyone who is needing help with their sportage, and especially for those that just bought a sportage.
If you just bought a sportage or just wanting to do a tune up on your current one, here are some things I recommend doing.
Replace the coils, plug wires, spark plug using the Ngk gapped at .30 AND while your their, replace valve cover gasket. I replaced the coils in mine about 5k miles ago, and i noticed oil on the back spark plug but didnt think nothing of it, well a week ago the engine started running rough, which was from leaking valve cover gasket cover the plug in oil. (and use anti seize on your new plugs, and dielectric grease on the plug wire connectors, etc)
Check all your hoses, a simple cracked hose could cause an engine code to pop up like mine, get new hoses if needed and look on your intake manifold for the little rubber caps, replace if needed. Replace air filter, pcv valve and fuel filter. and if you can, replace fuel pump just to be safe, check your timing belt too, replace if needed.
Replace terminal connectors and check the grounds on the negative wire. My sportage would not start, turned over, but no start, and fuel pump was not working, replaced the connectors and boom it started up. Speaking of grounds, check the ground by the fuel pump on the back floor board. You will be surprise how many issues can result from bad connections. Un plug, and replug any and all connectors just to clean them.
Check your fans. My sportage air conditioning did not blow very cold while sitting still and if you sat for awhile it would start to overheat. What I did was replaced the ac fan (front pusher fan) with a bigger one from advance auto. It fit a little tight, but the fan itself was strong enough to stop the overheating and improved the ac. Now, the one thing that helped my sportage the most was getting rid of that damn clutch fan. I always wondered why this sportage was so doggy and un-responsive, it was all in the clutch fan. By themselves working properly rob a lot of power from these cars, but a bad one will hurt it more. I converted it over to electric fan and you know it makes a difference when my girlfriend is impressed. Theirs a lot more responsivness, more peppy, better gas mileage, and my favorite one (since living in savannah ga gets very hot at times) is that the ac is soo much better. Its actually too much at times, and it is ice cold as soon you start it. I recommend this conversion to anyone with a 1st gen sportage.
I always have to tell myself this whenever im faced with a car related situation is that its not always the obvious. Replacing the coils in mine fixed the situation temporaily, but months down the road it acted up again. All from a leaking valve cover gasket putting oil on the plugs. Another thing, is that if your car is overheating, fix it as soon as possible because that can cause issues in the future like cracking hoses, bad gaskets, etc.
Just maintain your sportage properly (keep records of everything as well) and keep it simple and you will enjoy many miles from these lil suv's.
Leroy
Thank you for sharing these tips. I have done most of them, but the fuel filter stopped me the first time. I bought a special tool to release the special clamps and will crawl under there again soon.
You are the only poster I have seen who has replaced the mechanical fan with an electrical one. Can you post a parts list, process steps and maybe even some pictures? I have all the bad symptoms and would like to deal with them as you have. More power would be great. I just got back from a 2000 mile run to the Midwest. Running through Wisconsin, long hills and 5 adults, the cruise control had it to the floor much of the time.
Thanks,
Paul
Quote:
Originally Posted by fengshui
Ive been through a lot of different issues with my girlfriends 2000 kia sportage 2wd, auto, 112,000 miles. This car has taught me a lot regarding car repairs, and it helped me on a new level that is needed for Obd2 cars. Im writing and devoting this thread for anyone who is needing help with their sportage, and especially for those that just bought a sportage.
If you just bought a sportage or just wanting to do a tune up on your current one, here are some things I recommend doing.
Replace the coils, plug wires, spark plug using the Ngk gapped at .30 AND while your their, replace valve cover gasket. I replaced the coils in mine about 5k miles ago, and i noticed oil on the back spark plug but didnt think nothing of it, well a week ago the engine started running rough, which was from leaking valve cover gasket cover the plug in oil. (and use anti seize on your new plugs, and dielectric grease on the plug wire connectors, etc)
Check all your hoses, a simple cracked hose could cause an engine code to pop up like mine, get new hoses if needed and look on your intake manifold for the little rubber caps, replace if needed. Replace air filter, pcv valve and fuel filter. and if you can, replace fuel pump just to be safe, check your timing belt too, replace if needed.
Replace terminal connectors and check the grounds on the negative wire. My sportage would not start, turned over, but no start, and fuel pump was not working, replaced the connectors and boom it started up. Speaking of grounds, check the ground by the fuel pump on the back floor board. You will be surprise how many issues can result from bad connections. Un plug, and replug any and all connectors just to clean them.
Check your fans. My sportage air conditioning did not blow very cold while sitting still and if you sat for awhile it would start to overheat. What I did was replaced the ac fan (front pusher fan) with a bigger one from advance auto. It fit a little tight, but the fan itself was strong enough to stop the overheating and improved the ac. Now, the one thing that helped my sportage the most was getting rid of that damn clutch fan. I always wondered why this sportage was so doggy and un-responsive, it was all in the clutch fan. By themselves working properly rob a lot of power from these cars, but a bad one will hurt it more. I converted it over to electric fan and you know it makes a difference when my girlfriend is impressed. Theirs a lot more responsivness, more peppy, better gas mileage, and my favorite one (since living in savannah ga gets very hot at times) is that the ac is soo much better. Its actually too much at times, and it is ice cold as soon you start it. I recommend this conversion to anyone with a 1st gen sportage.
I always have to tell myself this whenever im faced with a car related situation is that its not always the obvious. Replacing the coils in mine fixed the situation temporaily, but months down the road it acted up again. All from a leaking valve cover gasket putting oil on the plugs. Another thing, is that if your car is overheating, fix it as soon as possible because that can cause issues in the future like cracking hoses, bad gaskets, etc.
Just maintain your sportage properly (keep records of everything as well) and keep it simple and you will enjoy many miles from these lil suv's.
Leroy
If you want you can private message me with any questions regarding anything. I can do a write up with pictures about my electric fan conversion but I dont think theirs a big demand for it. I got the part numbers for the fans, switch w/relay and the new belt. If u want message me and ill help u out with it.
leroy
I changed the fan on mine too about 2 years ago, I had a problem with overheating before. Now it runs cool with the electric cooling fan and It's never overheated since.
That is a good article. He wired his up with an actual thermo switch that went into a radiator hose. Mine is hooked with a relay directly into the ignition switch. I also replaced the front ac fan with a bigger one. \
leroy
I,ve done mine this week end, but haven't done mileage to really see what the diff is in fuel usage. I haven't even filled mine up and used a full tank, but drove one bout 2 years ago and got 9,5km/l constantly. Will use that as bench mark and see. Went to ride some mine dumps today and this is really a capable off roader. Put 4 x Continental 215/80/15's on this past Saturday which lifted it some.
Next is a chip and complete freeflow including branch, then maybe a K&N filter
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Pointers for newbies
Linear Mode
