Carnival 2000 Classic need new engine

[macalalad_jun]

Since July 2003, when an engine recall to replace a cylinder leak, the Carnival coolant never returned to normal (e.g. it needs topping up every week).

Last Dec 2006, the engine overheated and now it lost power and finally, the gasket a replaced for the two cylinder heads and it never ended there. Because of the overheat, piston rings need replacement, valves later needs replacement and 5 months after, its still in the shop.

I now need to replace the engine to get peace of mind. All of this because the motor service provider did not pay any attention to earlier reported problems of coolant getting a top up every week. They even gave me coolant to keep me quiet.

Should I just burn the whole car or just shell out $5,000 to get a new engine? ANY SUGGESTION?

[cpapashley]

Originally Posted by macalalad_jun

Since July 2003, when an engine recall to replace a cylinder leak, the Carnival coolant never returned to normal (e.g. it needs topping up every week).

Last Dec 2006, the engine overheated and now it lost power and finally, the gasket a replaced for the two cylinder heads and it never ended there. Because of the overheat, piston rings need replacement, valves later needs replacement and 5 months after, its still in the shop.

I now need to replace the engine to get peace of mind. All of this because the motor service provider did not pay any attention to earlier reported problems of coolant getting a top up every week. They even gave me coolant to keep me quiet.

Should I just burn the whole car or just shell out $5,000 to get a new engine? ANY SUGGESTION?

Sorry to hear of yet another saga that only a Kia Carnival could bring about. Read some of my earlier posts and you will see that I too experienced the pain and heartache associated with these People Movers that should have been just cheap reliable transport, but end up being family destroyers.

As far as sinking more money into the car, this is a choice only you can make. If you have owned the car since new and can find someone who knows what they are doing in the repair of the vehicle then according to a number of mechanics I spoke to over a year ago it can be repaired. Of course for us we just sold the car as is through a wholesaler that sells to dealers, so at least the next owner would have some comeback to the dealer if they did not repair the engine correctly.

The financial pain of the vehicle for the future needs to be considered as well. just my 2c worth

[Carnivore]

i guess the lesson is that u need to be real firm and drive those mech to resolve the coolant ,engine gasket issues once n for all.