[KenA1976]

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.

 

[Tripplec]

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.

 

[Tripplec]

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.

 

[mccljp]

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

 

[bobdec]

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.

 

[spongebob218]

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.

 

[Tripplec]

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.

 

[KenA1976]

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?

 

[bobdec]

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.

 

[KenA1976]

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.

 

[Tripplec]

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.

 

[KenA1976]

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?

 

[LMP]

I think he meant NOT just for groceries

 

[Tripplec]

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.

 

[KenA1976]

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.

 

[ron1004]

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

 

[KenA1976]

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?

 

[KenA1976]

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.

 

[ron1004]

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

 

[KenA1976]

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?