Kia Sorento Overflow container failure

Drdootexas · 07-31-2008, 05:49 PM

Kia Sorento Ex 2004.

I purchased my Kia last year from a used car dealer. I did a lot of research before I purchased it and loved the vehicle.

On July 3rd my kia motor seized. It had 63k and is now not covered by Kia warranty. I found threads on this site about the problem with the overflow slow leak from bottom and also found a TSB on multiple sites on the web.

TSB 8/30/2007
KT2007073101
Sorento 2003-2005
built 6/30/2002-10/3/2004
OLD PART NUMBER
25430-3E200 Chess Board Bottom
NEW PART NUMBER (redesigned)
25430-3E200QQK Smooth Bottom

I have been working with Kia to see if they will cover the repair of the engine and have been informed that passed warranty and they are not going to cover.

The scary part is when I look on the Kia website, the above mentioned TSB is no longer there.

Want to make sure that Kia owners are aware that they should replace the part. I wish I had continued to research the vehicle even after pruchase of the vehicle.

I had an appointment with Kia to do one of the current recalls on July 8th and the engine failed a week before. Don't know if Kia would have even checked it since there is no longer a service bullitin.

It looks like this will costs me from 6k to 11k to replace the engine.

Anyone know why a TSB would be issued then removed?

One problem I have is that when I called to schedule the recall, the dealership said they could not make an appointment for 3 weeks. I informed the tech that my service engine light came on on occasion recently and was that associated with the recall. I was informed that the replacement of the part should fix that, because at the time the vehicle was not overheating or giving me any other problems I trusted the tech.

nstoolman1 · 07-31-2008, 07:49 PM

Sorry for your loss. You are going to have people come on here and tell you "to bad so sad you should have checked your water level". Nothing they are going to say is going to make your situation any better. Is the price their giving you KIAs price or a mechanics price? Could you do some of the work yourself? I had one go bad also. It developed a tiny split somewhere between Cali and Ariz. By the time we got to the in-laws the engine had started to show signs of getting hot. I stopped and checked. Sure enough there was a touch of water under the bucket. The dealer in Prescott didn't have one so I filled it up with anti-freeze and when we left Ariz I checked it again. Checked it frequently on the way home and made it with no probs. Dealer in town had one and it got replaced. I have yet to check if it was the new style or not. Good luck with your situation.

DAshley33 · 08-01-2008, 11:19 AM

I'm also sorry for your loss. Before I bought my used Sorento I was aware of this problem through this forum. It was the first thing I checked after purchasing. Mine has the new style. The TSB is still there. I just looked it up and it even has a graphic of the new style vs. the old ribbed style. Below is the thread. You will probaly need a userid and password. Click on TSB...then scroll down until you see the TSB No. Good Luck... perhaps you can find a used engine yourself cheaper. I read somewhere in this forum that the Hyundia XG350L and some Sedona's may use the same engine. Then you could find a shop to install it. Below is the text from the TSB.

http://www.kiatechinfo.com/TechInfo/..._no=348&page=1

TSB No. KT2007073101 TSB Type General
Language English Published 8/3/2007
Model Sorento [BL](2003) Sorento [BL](2004) Sorento [BL](2005) Area N. America
Gr./Sys./Comp Engine Mechanical System / Cooling System / Coolant Reservoir Tank
DTC P0115 - Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit
P0116 - Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance
P0117 - Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low Input
P0118 - Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit High Input
P0119 - Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Intermittent

Symptom EN9000 - MIL ON (Malfunction Indicator Lamp)
HAN003 - Others

Subject Sorento (BL) Coolant reservoir Replacement (Engine - 034)
Description This bulletin provides information related to Sorento models produced from 6/30/2002~10/3/2004. Some Sorento vehicles may overheat due to small cracks found on the bottom of the coolant reservoir due to repetitive temperature and pressure fluctuations. The new improved coolant tank allows some expansion and contraction found in many pressurized cooling systems.

This bulletin describes the proper service procedure for identifying and replacing the coolant reservoir tank.

Part Name
Part Number

Coolant Reservoir Tank
25430 3E200QQK

Previous Design - Ribbed
New Design - Reinforced

Effective Vehicle Information 2003~2005 Sorento vehicles produced from June 30, 2002 ~ October 3, 2004.

Parts Information Part Name
Previous Part Number
New Part Number

Coolant Reservoir Tank
25430 3E200
25430 3E200QQK

Service Procedure Repair procedure:

1. Raise hood and locate the coolant reservoir, cover the cap with a cotton shop towel and slowly remove the reservoir tank cap.

2. Use suction pump to remove the coolant or install a rubber plug or equivalent to prevent the coolant from leaking completely out of coolant reservoir tank when the hoses are removed.

a) Remove two hose clamps and hoses from the coolant reservoir tank.

b) Transfer overflow hose from old to new tank.

3. Remove three (3) retaining nuts holding the coolant reservoir tank.

a) Drain the remaining coolant into transfer container

b) Install new replacement tank to the vehicle, tighten retaining nuts to 84~108 inch lbs. (9.4~12.2 Nm)

c) Connect the rubber hoses and clamps as removed.

d) Fill the coolant reservoir to the correct level, install pressure cap. Coolant should be a 50/50 mixture unless otherwise specified on container.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION:

Claim Type
Causal P/N
Qty.
N Code
C Code
Repair Description
Labor Op Code
Time
Related Parts
Qty.

W
25430 3E200
0
N09
C07
Coolant Reservior Tank Replacement
25431F00
0.2
25430 3E200QQK
1

* Use sublet code of S7 for reimbursement of $2.25 per vehicle; this will provide a coolant allowance for 1 pint of concentrate Kia Engine Coolant mixed at 50/50. This will equal 1 qt. total of engine coolant; only fill with new coolant if necessary.

Prev Sedona (VQ) PCM Reprogram (DTC P0441/P0128) (Engine - 025) (UPDATED 2007-08-16)
Next Sorento Compressor Disc & Hub Replacement (Climate Control - 011)

Drdootexas · 08-11-2008, 01:18 PM

Thanks for the link to the TSB. The Kia representive that I have been working with, said that was a no-such TSB and so did the Kia Dealership Service manager. When I did a search on the KIA web site for the TSB numebr it would not pull up.

KIA has offered to pay for half the engine replacement and give me $4800 and I will have to pay the other $4800. I am still working to see if they can do any better.

04SorentoLX · 08-11-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drdootexas

Thanks for the link to the TSB. The Kia representive that I have been working with, said that was a no-such TSB and so did the Kia Dealership Service manager. When I did a search on the KIA web site for the TSB numebr it would not pull up.

KIA has offered to pay for half the engine replacement and give me $4800 and I will have to pay the other $4800. I am still working to see if they can do any better.

DID YOU EVEN LOOK? sure it is, it was there ten mins ago too. Do you have a printer? look it up and PRINT and give to yutz at dealer.

I will admit the site is not as USER friendly as it once was. GEE ya think wonder why? But it is not brain surgury to get around in the site and find things. Email me here with phone and we can chat about sending it to you snail mail or I can walk you thru it and you print it.

kiacalgary · 10-28-2008, 01:16 PM

I have a 2004 sorento and it is leaking all over my driveway. They refuse to fix it. My sorento was fine till kia service did touched it

riverider · 10-28-2008, 05:13 PM

They turned me down also with my 03 Sorento. So I sucked it up paid the service Dept.$93 this was last Monday 10/20/08 then I took in down to my local Toyota dealer and traded it in on a Toyota 08 SR5 4Runner v6 2wd.

So this really solved my leaking 03 Kia Sorento coolant bottle, and Kia has lost this customer of ever.

McTweety · 10-28-2008, 05:19 PM

The TSB is still out there. Login to Kia Global Information System (KGIS) and look it up.

I copy-pasted the TSB from the Kia Website into JPG-format below, for those of you too lazy to look it up

If the Kia dealer still refuses to fix it even when you show them the TSB (a TSB is not the same as a recall), than buy the damn thing yourself. You don't wanna risk blowing your engine because of a relatively inexpensive coolant reservoir.

Also, keep in mind that you may have a coolant leak somewhere else (hose or something). In that case... you probably end up paying for the repair, unless you still have warranty.