At that mileage it would be prudent, than have a chain get real noisy in a few thousand miles later - there wont be additional labor charge to do it now.

Did it overheat at any time? - just wondering how the head gasket started leaking, and there's been reports here of problematic head bolts and them pulling out the threads on the block.

 

At that mileage it would be prudent, than have a chain get real noisy in a few thousand miles later - there wont be additional labor charge to do it now.

Did it overheat at any time? - just wondering how the head gasket started leaking, and there's been reports here of problematic head bolts and them pulling out the threads on the block.

I drove it to work back in the fall one morning just to not let it sit all the time and on the way I noticed the heat gauge started going up so I pulled over right away just about the time the needle was about to hit red. Turned off the car and let it sit for 30 minutes then limped it to nearest mechanic that swapped out thermostat and filled up coolant. I kept losing coolant but could not find where it went to so I had the water pump changed still didn't do the trick. Left it with my mechanic and he called last night and he said he found where it was going. Apparently it's the head gasket but instead of leaking into the engine it's leaking out the back of the engine and drips onto the exhaust that burns it off thats why we can't see no puddles underneath or smell it in the exhaust pipe.

 

there could be underlying factors which caused the head gasket to go. Carbon buildup was excessive as its a GDI engine I am almost sure. There could be a lot more needing to be done to it than you're indicating. It also depends on how much its costing for the repair.

You might want to talk to a reputable Kia dealer before going forward on what maybe the cause and if repaired what needs doing.

Edit:
What engine is this V6 3.3L or 2.4L

 

I have read about carbon build up on these vehicles but had no idea it could cause a faulty head gasket. It's the 3.3L V6. The mechanic that has the car used to be a lead mechanic at a Kia dealership in town that's now running his own shop. He told me to do the head gasket and timing chain with whatever is involved with those jobs would cost $4300 total Canadian dollars for parts an labor.

 

It depends on a lot and with vehicles not driven a lot other factors come to play. Like the manual says about using Top Tier gas (cleaner), regular oil changes etc all part of when you maintained and drove it. As stated by RON1004 head bolts pulled out has happened. Few can repair/rebuild if that happened. I assume its not pulled apart yet. If the local Kia dealers have seen this problem they may have insight. Just saying, costs nothing to check and or talk with their mechanic as well.

 

The first 3 years the car was driven approx 35000km per year then we bought a second car as I knew that Kia wouldn't last long enough for it to get paid off. All service was done as schedule says at the Kia dealership. Rear end went at 108000KM and was fortunately covered by Kia Canada. I put gas at Petro Canada 87 octane most of the time. The odd time it could have been Esso or Shell but always 87 octane. Yes the engine has not been pulled apart yet so we don't know if the threads in the block is stripped. The mechanic does have a friend that works at Kia that he has been in contact with during this time when he was trying to figure out where my coolant went.

 

Was it ever identified what caused the initial overheat?

 

No

 

The ex-Kia mechanic is no doubt very good, but he's not privy to all info such as the bad head bolt issue, so still worth a check with the dealership.

 

They do charge a diagnostics fee which I know in this instance is small compared to the cost of this repair in question.

 

Depends, start with a phone call or go in and talk in person. If the head gasket is shot on X bank (front/rear) should be suffcient. Gasket doesn't just go without some underlying reason before or now. Previous owner would never know in advance this was going to happen either. From some info I have read this is near the Km the GDI could become a problem as well. They are in the best position to know from their database and experiences in seeing a lot of vehicles. If they need or want to see it. Confirm the cost and have them pick it up as you can't drive it I gather.

 

I did speak with them a few months back prior to finding out for sure it was a head gasket and was quoted verbally approx $3000. They didn't seem to have heard of this issue from anyone else just as they said about the 2 rear ends that has gone on my car. I had to rebuild the rear end in March at 185000km after Kia had already replaced it at 108000km. They never seem to have heard of any of the issues I have had. The auto tilt glass on my driver side mirror has also been funky for years and while it was still under warranty they had no idea what I was even talking about. Not sure they even knew that feature was a thing on these cars. My feeling on the dealerships is not very high unfortunately. Like I said my mechanic is friends with a current Kia mechanic so I am sure he has given him suggestions and ideas and stories that he has heard about these cars.

 

That being the case would have access to Kia specialist who they converse with. You talking about the AWD coupler on the rear no doubt. (a know issue, they don't last long)

Its your call but once they start you're paying with too many unknowns. If they're not willing to check with Kia directly then I'd contact another dealer.

 

No it was not the AWD coupler it was the whole rear differential. My cost the second time to rebuild was $3000.

 

Oh wow, thats a rare failure. Short of the gear oil they shouldn't go.

Sound like you maybe using a small town dealer. Contact a bigger main stream on service dept.

 

Unfortunately it's a Mississauga dealer so it's not a small time dealer and there was not gear oil shortage either. It had just been serviced at the dealership in Mississauga. They serviced the differential at 96000km as part of the big service 4.

 

For that to happen twice there is an underlying issue and/or it was not repaired correctly. I would not trust them at 3rd time with anything major.

 

I don't know if there was any underlying issues or if it was repaired incorrectly by the dealership but I believe they claim they replaced it and not repaired it. When I had to pay for it I had it rebuilt by a completely different source that specialize in rear ends.

 

As before Diff's don't just go. Once is rare, twice is unheard of I want an explanation from the service manages. Thats a lot of money and also you had it service by someone.

Sound like its being a money pit for you.

 

The dealership serviced it. The car was serviced every time at the dealership where it was bought from day one always at the recommended milage until we reached about 120000 km when I started taking it to another smaller mechanic shop.

 

you have a lot of options being where you are. Try and get info on this failure from some Kia Dealer service techs first. Contact an engine specialty shop specializing in engine repairs/rebuild they maybe of help and or ensure with confidence a reliable repair. Its something they do regularly and not once in a blue moon. Mistakes can be made by others. These dealer and local mechanics still charge you and make up some excuse this is also shot or busted etc. when it backfires on them to get out of it, increasing the repair cost a lot.

 

GOOD LUCK WITH IT

Nothing more I can add. You need to investigate more even if it cost an hour labour and/or tow. If you have CAA they'll tow it.

 

With the history you have with the dealer, I would stick with your knowledgeable mechanic. But that is just my opinion.

 

If head bolt threads are stripped in the block, as seen here in a few 3.3's, I doubt the dealer will try to repair the threads. In that case it's a new shortblock. At that point your car will be torn apart and your choices will be limited. A engine repair shop with experience in repairing aluminum block threads would be a better choice, and it would be much lower cost in that case.

 

It is most likely going to need a block if the head gasket is leaking. If you are going to do the chains while apart, do the tensioners also, and make sure the guides are intact and none of the plastic is broken.

 

What makes you believe it will need a new block because the head gasket is gone?

 

That being the case it a new engine nearly rebuild. A good use low mileage swap would be best if available. You are in no hurry so you can think about it.

 

Not 100%, just that most head gasket leaks we see on the forum are caused by the head bolts tearing out of the block, actually block threads stripping, not the bolts themselves. But seems everyone calls it stripped head bolts. You may be lucky and it's just a bad gasket, but normally it's not.. It's obvious when removing the heads as the bolts will turn very easily when removing with a hand ratchet.

 

I spoke with an engine re-builder here this morning that said the same thing. He's done a few of these for Kia dealerships in the area he says and repaired the blocks with good luck on most of the ones he's done.

 

Then he's the one you should be dealing with as the money he charges will no be in vain. One poster here had a dealer doing it and ran into that. Full Stop New block/engine needed. they will not do the repair or even attempt it.

Its the smart choice its cost effective for you. If you do get it fixed. You need to drive it after, and NOT just for groceries etc but put miles and highway running on it. This is the break it in and ensure everything is ok. Warranty is useless if you just park it and time runs out.

 

Then he's the one you should be dealing with as the money he charges will no be in vain. One poster here had a dealer doing it and ran into that. Full Stop New block/engine needed. they will not do the repair or even attempt it.

Its the smart choice its cost effective for you. If you do get it fixed. You need to drive it after, and just for groceries etc but put miles and highway running on it. This is the break it in and ensure everything is ok. Warranty is useless if you just park it and time runs out.

Yeah I am leaning towards this guy as well.
When you say I need to drive it after and just for groceries? I do drive from Mississauga to London every other week to pick up and drop off my kids and I would be driving it to work every now and again so it's not sitting for weeks at the time. Are you saying don't put to many KM's on it?

 

I think he meant NOT just for groceries

 

Way to got then, thought you'd said it was your wifes and wouldn't be used for a year as she working from. Thats all.

good luck, I believe you're tuned up for a successful recover to this problem with this builder. Hopefully the price is in line for what needs doing.

 

Way to got then, thought you'd said it was your wife's and wouldn't be used for a year as she working from. That's all.

good luck, I believe you're tuned up for a successful recover to this problem with this builder. Hopefully the price is in line for what needs doing.

Yes it's her can and she has worked from home the past year and we don't know when she will be allowed back into the office. I have taken it to work a few times to keep it rolling and it has made one or two trips to London over the past year but not too many. I have a KM munching Toyota Camry for all my driving. I do hope as well that this repair will all work out because it's not a cheap repair and to have to replace the engine if it doesn't work seems like it wouldn't be worth it. Car is only worth so much.
Thanks to everyone for their input and comments it is greatly appreciated.

 

Here's another example of this inherent defect on these engines:

Blown 3.3L Engine

New to the post so Hello, Just purchased a 2016 CPO Kia Sorento. It was a beautiful car, but I only got to drive it home from the dealership before it had to go back to the dealership because the light tapping (I thought it was an injector) turned into a loud tapping (more like a lifter). Turns...

www.kia-forums.com

 

I found another mechanic/engine specialist that has told me he has done many of these for the dealerships around town so I am planning on taking mine to him. He says he has a 90% success rate on the repair if the threads are gone in the block.
Anyways if this is such a common problem why isn't there a recall?

 

I also found this in another forum
I work at a Kia dealer. Those engines stay strong as long as you keep up with oil changes and use an OEM Mahle oil filter for the best fit. The only RARE issues I've seen with them are over-torqued or missing head bolts from the factory. This is extremely rare and Kia Techline will approve a warranty motor. The biggest "normal" problem with them is they make excessive cold start noise from chain slap. Aftermarket cartridge oil filters make the problem worse. However, they just run and run even after 100k. The newer ones (2019-now) with the cartridge oil filter now on the bottom are much quieter when you start them. They are GDI, so definitely use quality synthetic oils to reduce intake valve buildup, and let them run long enough to get to operating temperature.

 

Save me going back through the thread - are you pursuing warranty? - if not, why not.

 

My car in unfortunately 7 years old and has 190,000km on it so warranty ran out a long time ago. I'm just not happy with that this is a much more common problem then the dealership lets on and we the customers have to pay for these very expensive repairs. If the castings were no good or if the bolts were over torqued at the factory why do we have to pay for the repairs?

 

It is a latent defect - it would be foolish not to pursue warranty with Kia.

 

Precisely and that why. I for one spend a lot of time on Forums to learn and keep up with whats happening before disaster strikes. Learn the ins and outs before it happens and before even purchasing a vehicle. As with all OEM's there are bad years and plan bad models. But you can buy them and they'll fix them as warranty it there then you're on your own.

Dealers will NEVER admit to it openly even if they've had 3 in the shop being repaired. Kia would have to own up to it First. Then they might acknowledge that it may happen. Like the coupler AWD failure. They'll never admit to that expensive repair is common proven by owners

There maybe a class action lawsuit to address this like the 2.4L engine issue currently in effect. Engines are being replace if they blow.