I just got a 2000 kia sephia

[AnubisIce240sx]

Hi everyone on this forum. I just got a 2000 kia sephia that my brother give to me before he left to the army. The car has some problems. The first would be that the check engine light is on. That the weird thing the motor sound fine. The car doesn't even waste gas at all. I have notice the valve cover gasket it in bad shape. I don't think that be the reason why the light turn on. As for the check engine light could it be the o2 sensor, spark plug, MAF, or just a senor that just need some cleaning? I really dont know if my brother change everything on the car beside he done the brake and the timing belt and tires, the car got 130,xxx miles on it. All kia got a factory problem that the light is on? I really dont know much about kia. I just work on nissan cars. The second problem would be I think would be the cv joint on the left. If i do a u-turn i hear a weird noise. As for the right side seem fine on a u-turn. If i'm at a stop sign, the car shake when im holding on the brake. It get worst when the a/c is on. Could the cause of the problem be the cv joint. or the brakes? I also feel like the front brake or the rotor feel like it skip for some reason. The dash light dont turn on sometime i got to bang the top of it to turn on or the light dimmer, the stock radio light are on but cant listen to it. Thanks to anyone that can help me with this.

[ron1004]

Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by AnubisIce240sx

Hi everyone on this forum. I just got a 2000 kia sephia that my brother give to me before he left to the army.

Congrats.

The car has some problems. The first would be that the check engine light is on. That the weird thing the motor sound fine. The car doesn't even waste gas at all. I have notice the valve cover gasket it in bad shape. I don't think that be the reason why the light turn on. As for the check engine light could it be the o2 sensor, spark plug, MAF, or just a senor that just need some cleaning?

The error codes are saved in the ECM - get them read and post them here and we could then advise on what's causing the CEL to stay on.
Many auto parts stores will read the error codes free.
If the light is ON then there IS a reason for it.
A leaking valve cover gasket is one of the typical problems, resulting in oil going on the spark plugs and causing them to misfire, so yes it would be a good starting point to install a new gasket.

I really dont know if my brother change everything on the car beside he done the brake and the timing belt and tires, the car got 130,xxx miles on it. All kia got a factory problem that the light is on?

No.

I really dont know much about kia. I just work on nissan cars. The second problem would be I think would be the cv joint on the left. If i do a u-turn i hear a weird noise. As for the right side seem fine on a u-turn.

I'd get the car to a drivetrain shop and let them check the joints.

If i'm at a stop sign, the car shake when im holding on the brake. It get worst when the a/c is on. Could the cause of the problem be the cv joint. or the brakes?

This could be a sign that the Idle Speed Control (ISC) valve is fouled up and needs cleaning with carb cleaner, or manifold vacuum leaks.
The CV joints will have no influence on this, but the brake system could if there was a vacuum leak in the brake booster.

I also feel like the front brake or the rotor feel like it skip for some reason.

Get this checked ASAP for safety reasons.

The dash light dont turn on sometime i got to bang the top of it to turn on or the light dimmer,

You'll need to track down the loose connection - not always easy if it's intermittent.

the stock radio light are on but cant listen to it. Thanks to anyone that can help me with this.

[AnubisIce240sx]

Thanks alot ill just do that. I was reading the better type of spark plug give kia a problems. The car doesn't misfire at all. It doesn't give me a problem turn it on. I guess the spark plug hole are getting oil in there. I check them out this week. As for the (ISC) where it located at? a pic would help. If even better know anywhere to download FSM for this car?. I also wanted to know were should the tire pressure should be 29psi?. I also thinking if I could use some seaform putting it in the brake booster hole. Clean the system up a bit. I want to know if it would cause me some problem on this car if i do it.

[ron1004]

Originally Posted by AnubisIce240sx

Thanks alot ill just do that. I was reading the better type of spark plug give kia a problems. The car doesn't misfire at all. It doesn't give me a problem turn it on. I guess the spark plug hole are getting oil in there. I check them out this week. As for the (ISC) where it located at? a pic would help. If even better know anywhere to download FSM for this car?. I also wanted to know were should the tire pressure should be 29psi?. I also thinking if I could use some seaform putting it in the brake booster hole. Clean the system up a bit. I want to know if it would cause me some problem on this car if i do it.

I've heard Seafoam is very good but havn't used it myself - follow the instructions on the container.

Register (free) with this site KiaTech and select "Shop" on the left and you should find pictures of the ISC (often referred to as IAC).

[1fastkia]

Yea if you dont follow them to a T then u willl fug up the motor!

[AnubisIce240sx]

I look at the spark plugs there doing good. There no black stain on them, which will be fuel, as for brown nothing also. I also noticed does this car got two o2 sensor? . I see one on the exhaust manifold and there a other one on the cat?. As for the shaking on the car I think I found, what was the problem the air intake has a pretty big hole on it. I also hear sound coming from the intake manfold but it got to be the emission around there. Also for the brake booster it fine. I also check on the cv joint they seem ok. As in the boots on them still good. Could it be the axle? I see the the front left tire is worn out on the right side of it. The other three tires there fine.

[ron1004]

The second O2 sensor after the CAT is not used for control, but only to assess the efficiency of the CAT and generate a code for the inspection.
The first O2 sensor at the exhaust manifold is the one used for control.

If the hole in the intake is after the MAF you'll certainly get problems.

For the tire wear you'll need to get the alignment done.

It is possible that the CV joint is bad even though the boots look fine - with the steering locked in each direction and then pull off - if the CV joints are bad they'll make the usual clucking sound.

[1fastkia]

Does it click around corners?

[ron1004]

A noisy/bad CV joint will be more pronounced when pulling off with full locked steering.

[AnubisIce240sx]

I hear a noise on the left side. I'll get it replace then now. As for the hole on the intake it before the MAF. I'm just get a new intake hose at a junk yard. Really this car going to be my daily beater. I want it to drive fine with no problems. I'll keep you guys post it. I hope this isn't like my Nissan 240sx I'll fix something, and something else breaks.