[Andromeda 2022]

Thank God and KIA, we who drive the Gen-3 Soul, do NOT have to worry about that boondoggle called the GDI engine.
However, KIA's suggestion to use the fuel System Cleaner, Techron, is not strictly limited to the GDI engine.
Since I bought my second 2020 Soul (my first one was totaled), which was USED, I've put two bottles of Techron in my gas tank. I kind of doubt that the original owner ever did that. (the car was a Garage Queen and never driven on rainy days)
(The engine was spotless!) The car RAN, but was a little bit "bashful". Didn't really want to get out and GO!

With every bottle of (Black Label) Techron, my little girl has gained a little bit of pep to her step. I can actually FEEL it working. Both performance and MPG has increased markedly. I won't post the 'Zero to 60' , but it's impressive.
No, it not as good as a Tesla!

I'm an aggressive driver, and I don't let my car sit around and get carboned up.
If my engine doesn't hit the REV Limiter once a day, it's because that's the day she just stayed at home. lol

My 2013 Soul did start using oil, at somewhere over 50k miles. I put in a new PCV valve, and that solved that problem.

Happy Trails, Mates,
Andromeda

 

[Andromeda 2022]

I'm sorry, but that's advice from someone who does not even drive a Soul, or the 2.OL engine.
Just for Information's sake: The KIA Soul is a one of a kind car, from it's unique shape to it's Atkinson Cycle engine.
The Owners Manual is a good source for suggestions, but it's lacking on Absolutes.
I read it, analyze it and then see how it applies to my car, and the way I drive it. Sometimes,
they get it right, and sometimes NOT.
Remember, the OM was written in S. Korea, by S. Koreans, who I'm pretty sure drive their cars differently than I do. They built a great little engine, with way more potential performance than most American drivers will ever see. It's the closest thing to a RACE CAR engine of any that I've ever owned.
I applaud their good intentions, which are edited, I'm sure, by their Legal Dept. There's a lot of CYA in that manual. Reading it is like sorting out the wheat from the chaff.

For instance, they go to great lengths, to state what Severe Usage is, but fall miserably short of spelling out what Normal Usage is.
See?

I'm pretty sure that I fall into at least five of those parameters. (B, C, E, F, J and K) I really like "J". Just for fun!

But the bottom line is, that every one of us, has to make up his or her own mind as to how we're going to drive and maintain our cars. The junk yards will be full of the cars where the owner got it wrong.

Cheers Mates!

 

[Andromeda 2022]

You'll be OK. Just hang in there!

 

[Andromeda 2022]

OK, it's been a few days, and I'm still curious, as to whether you've figured out where the oil is going?
If it's going out the tail pipe, you should be able to check the inside of the pipe for Black Carbon deposits.

What you're reporting is just not right, for an engine that's in good health. (sorry for the Under-Statement)
I'm now driving my third KIA Soul, but only the second Gen-3, 2.0, Atkinson Cycle engine.

Every few days, I'm under the hood of my Soul, checking the oil level, washer fluid level, coolant level, air cleaner, etc.
So far all I've ever done is add more Washer Fluid. Living on a dirt road, my windshield really catches heck, and has to be washed every morning when I get into the car.

I really hope you can figure out where the oil is going. Keep us informed, Please.

 

[Andromeda 2022]

Of course, it's impossible, but I just wish that I could troubleshoot the problem myself.
Years ago, I taught a course in "System Fault Analysis", and I'm pretty sure that could be used effectively in the case of your Oil guzzler.
In the three Souls I've had, I had only one case of Oil Consumption, and that was on my 2013 Soul, 1.6L. That problem was corrected by the replacement of the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. I found one at my local Advance Auto Parts store, and replaced it myself.
That day, the oil consumption ceased.
It's hard to believe that as new as your car is, the problem could be a stuffed up PCV valve, but ya jus never know.
But it might be something worth checking into.

Good Luck,

 

[Andromeda 2022]

I asked a KIA trained and certified mechanic about the oil consumption problem, and here is his response:

The MPI engines should not be using any oil whatsoever. Any that I have seen using oil had the piston ring issues. Oddly enough when you look down the cylinders with a bore-scope it is usually just one piston that is wiped out and it is random as to which one. The piston ring issue may have affected more engines than they anticipated because it seems like rather than having engines where all the piston rings are bad, they have some where one piston has a bad ring in the engine. I really see the problem with KIA appears to be more of a dealerships are poorly staffed with not good techs and unwilling to do anything for customers even though KIA gives us all the tools and support to make things right. I have never seen or heard of any other manufacturer that stands behind their product with the warranties and extensions that KIA gives but it does require techs and dealerships to do their part. If a customer told me that they are consuming oil on a 2020 Soul with not that many miles on it, I would pull the spark plugs out and peek in there with a bore-scope as that takes maybe 10-15 minutes.

If it's still under warranty, and it should be, I'd force KIA to fix it.

 

[Andromeda 2022]

Willy, is KIA offering you no help at all? Like, a new engine?
If not, why not just try the next best thing, and seat those rings. Eh?
To do that, manually, so to speak, you have to WORK your engine.
If, during that process, your engine throws a rod, then KIA will HAVE to replace it.
Sounds like a plan.

Happy Easter, Sir

 

[Andromeda 2022]

Well, at least, we all know that your engine is getting its Lubrication. But then, so is the CAT which is NOT a good thing.

On a personal note, I've had three KIA Souls now, and the only one that ever used ANY oil at all, was the 2013 1.6L, when the PCV valve got stuck, fouled, whatever. I just bought a new valve at Discount Auto Parts, changed it myself, which was super easy, and the oil consumption stopped immediately.
Those little valves live in an extremely harsh environment and can, and do, get stuffed up fairly easily.

On the big Detroit Iron, (GM cars, mostly) those valves were stuck in a hole in the top of the valve cover and easily pulled out for cleaning. (although almost no one ever did)
I used to clean mine on every oil change (3k miles) I never ever had a PCV valve Failure.

Now, on the lighter side, I just got a call from my KIA Dealer, to wish me a Happy Birthday. (yes I turned 79 yesterday) I wonder, just how many dealers actually do things like that? My car is the largest investment I've ever made in my life, so it's nice to know that I have a dealer that takes a personal interest in me.
We had a very brief chat, about the 2023 models that will only come out in BASE models to start with. Fewer nannies and lower trim levels are due to the many chips that those require, and the lack of those chips. But that's pretty much become public knowledge, at least for those people who are paying attention.

Keep oiling that Bomb, so it doesn't explode.

Happy 4th!