Check Engine light on, car stalls at 4k rpm

TxDriver · 01-23-2008, 11:25 PM

Ok,

so my check engine light is now on ( before it was not) and my car stalls above 4k rpm. basically the engine revs, but the car does not go anywhere.

I would tell you the codes, but apparently no one can get error codes from my car, I guess the car's computer is broke. Side question: how much is that to fix?

Back to my original issue. Car seems fine from 0-~4k and after that; engine revs and that is about it -- car goes no where.

My first thought was maybe the fuel filter ( never changed it and have 108k on it) was an issue. So I changed it. Issue still exists.

Then I thought maybe the catalytic converter was messed up (not allowing exhaust to escape properly. But I got under the car and everything looks fine. I do not see rust or any cracks or any other dents in my exhaust system.

My next guess is that some how my valve cover gasket leak is the issue. I've noticed it has been leaking for some time, but now it seems to be leaking pretty badly. I cleaned the oil away from it, drove about 10 miles and could see oil seepage on the front. Could this be an issue? Maybe some type of compression issue? Would this also cause the check engine light to go on? or maybe it is causing the plugs to foul up?

I had this problem for a bit 2 weeks( it came up pretty quick, but did gradually become worse) and the check engine light never came on, I then changed the fuel filter and oil, ( to rule some things out) and now the light comes on after about 8 miles. that is odd...

I know the valve cover gasket Part Number: VS50586R is about $22 - how hard are these to install and do you need anything special? Like a torque wrench?

I appreciate the help

ron1004 · 01-24-2008, 12:27 AM

It's highly unlikely that the computer is broken.

Have you tried a place like AutoZone for reading the codes?

Without the codes you're left with more hit and miss guesswork.

The leaking oil could have got onto the timing belt and caused it to jump a tooth, so there's no harm in checking the valve timing to make sure that it's spot on.

The leaking valve cover gasket does cause problems with the spark plugs - the oil causes the spark to track to ground resulting in a misfire. The valve cover gasket is easy to change and does not require any special tools.
Once you've cleared the problem of the oil leaking from the valve cover gasket, I would make sure the spark plugs are good and gapped to 0.75mm (0.03").

BTW, a visual check under the car will not reveal the state of the CAT - some guys tell by feeling the exhaust tail pipe, but this will be hard to tell in your case because there must be a fair flow.

TxDriver · 01-24-2008, 09:30 AM

Yeah, I have had several autozones and advance auto parts try and get a reading. no luck.

I agreed with your statement about the cat, I also checked the exhaust output to make sure it increases with higher rpms....and it does. <bricks can come in handy :-) >

I can change spark plugs and the valve cover gasket to see where I am at. I'll try again to get codes... maybe today i'll be lucky.

ron1004 · 01-24-2008, 09:46 AM

Don't forget to check the valve timing !!!

TxDriver · 01-24-2008, 09:53 AM

oh, and you say changing the valve cover gasket it easy ... even easy for a guy who has never done it?

i have a good clue of what I am doing and have done other projects ( roofs, tile/tile flooring, cabinets...), but never done a whole lot of work on a car( brake pads, oil change, fuel filter, spark plugs)

If i can do it myself i want to...I really do not wanna pay anyone... thanks

ron1004 · 01-24-2008, 10:05 AM

I don't think you need to be too experienced to change a valve cover gasket.

NB. Don't forget to check the valve timing !!!

TxDriver · 01-24-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron1004

I don't think you need to be too experienced to change a valve cover gasket.

NB. Don't forget to check the valve timing !!!

I took the car again ( just to double check) to autozone and no dice on the engine error code reading.

I am a NB and have zero clue on how to check the valve timing. How do I do that?

thanks

TxDriver · 01-25-2008, 01:12 AM

does a 2000 kia sephia have a interference engine?

1fastkia · 01-25-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxDriver

I took the car again ( just to double check) to autozone and no dice on the engine error code reading.

I am a NB and have zero clue on how to check the valve timing. How do I do that?

thanks

If you don't know much about cars, DO NOT go messing with the timing. Bring it to a shop...
The vavle cover gasket wouldnt have anything to do with stalling.
How does the tranny shift? DOes it hesitate to go into gears? Does it seem to slip? Before this happened did the tranny go through ALL gears smoothly? I personally don't think it has anything to do with timing if it does go to 4K without a problem.

TxDriver · 01-25-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1fastkia

If you don't know much about cars, DO NOT go messing with the timing. Bring it to a shop...
The vavle cover gasket wouldnt have anything to do with stalling.
How does the tranny shift? DOes it hesitate to go into gears? Does it seem to slip? Before this happened did the tranny go through ALL gears smoothly? I personally don't think it has anything to do with timing if it does go to 4K without a problem.

Before this it seemed to shift fine. It still shifts into all gears fine, including 4th. It just seems that anything above 4k is all noise and that something is slipping or the cars is starving for fuel. all gears are a problem above 4k or so.

I was thinking maybe at higher rpm, oil leaks and causes miss fires. ...that is why i bought the gasket.

btw, kia put in a new tranny about 70k and around 90k i had it serviced by kia. now about 109k