Knock sensor code after timimg belt broke

darthrio · 08-15-2008, 12:15 AM

Our timing belt broke and along with water pump was replaced. They changed the plugs at the same time also. After they were done the engine light came on. It was reading the knock sensor code. Knock sensor was replaced but light still kept coming on. We took it to the dealer, they side timing was off, and we thought that fixed it. IT didn't. It however fixed the loss of power we were having. We took it back and the tech did a bunch of stuff, checked hoses, etc.Finally got the code out and it passed inspection. After 90 miles the light came back on, says it is the knock sensor. After we get the code cleared the code comes back between 80 and 100 miles, and usually we have turned the ac on about the same time. I give up. We are taking it back next week, but I am broke and I don't think they can or will fix it. Its an 05 rio and before this it was a great car.

2004riotuner · 08-15-2008, 12:28 AM

Was anything replaced when the timing belt broke? Was the cylinder head removed and valves inspected? Has it had poor performance since the timing belt broke?

darthrio · 08-15-2008, 12:33 AM

I don't know about the inspection of the valves, but it was performing poorly after. The dealership said the timming was off and after they set that, we regained the power.

2004riotuner · 08-15-2008, 12:46 AM

Who replaced the timing belt. Rios have an interference engine which means if the belt breaks the valves hit the pistons. You could have damaged some valves.

darthrio · 08-15-2008, 12:59 AM

precission tune. would I be able to tell if they were damaged by looking myself?

2004riotuner · 08-15-2008, 02:50 AM

If you ran a compression test on it you'll know if there is any damage.

ron1004 · 08-15-2008, 08:49 AM

My thoughts are in-line with 2004riotuner.
It sounds like they took a chance at just installing a new timing belt without checking for damaging resulting from the pistons hitting valves when the belt broke.

2004riotuner · 08-15-2008, 05:17 PM

The funny part is the Kia dealer only adjusted the timing belt afterwards which is pretty dumb as well. I would have atleast thought they would check for damage seeing as the Rio's have a known timing belt issue.

jcwit · 08-15-2008, 05:32 PM

I don't believe KIA has a timing belt issue, people have a problem reading their owners manual and having the belt changed. Many vehicles have the interference engine and tear up the valves and head if the belt breaks. To make the problem worse the dealer prices for replacing the belt are outrageous, so people try to put it off, then when it does break Oh Sxit its the cars fault. Just my 2 cents.

2004riotuner · 08-15-2008, 08:58 PM

I never said it in the fact that it's Kias fault and they should replace the engine.. Kia is aware that if the timing belt slips or breaks there is a high possibility for engine damage. SO if a customer came in complaining about sluggish performance and they found that the timing was off do you not think they would investigate further to make sure the engine has not grenaded, I know I would have. But I can see it from the point that maybe they didn't want to get involved but that is still a BS excuse not to investigate further. I ran 5 degrees retard on the cam gear for more performance. If the timing was out enough for you to have a noticeable drop in performance then knowing the pistons are able to touch the valve I would have investigated further.

And FIY the OEM Rio timing belt sucks horribly. I have seen many not even make it to the 60K mile interval. Granted there are idiots out there also, but the belt is actually no as good as it could be.