If it were my 03 Sorento I would be looking at my warranty.If you don't have any warranty I would find someone who could really tell you if it was a head gasket or cracked block or head. If you don't have a warranty and it's not just a blown head gasket. Cost around my best Est.$700 to repair. But if it's a crack head add another $1200 then if it's a cracked block your looking at close to $4000 unless you find a used engine then still it going to be $2500.
Bottom line it does not look good. How many miles are on the Sorento?

 

I wish it was still under warranty, the Sorrie has 85000 KMS (i live in brisbane australia). i had it checked out by an auto elec cause i initially thought it was an electrical prob (couldnt get it started). when the spark plugs were removed they were fouled with water. Also they dropped the exhaust and there was quite a bit of water in the system. my water reservoir was also empty. With the engine running at normal temp and the radiator cap fully closed, the engine will run fine, but once the engine is switched off and the radiator cap is left locked closed, due to the pressure in the water system, water leaks into the cyclinders after the car is turned off. The only way to get the Sorrie restarted is to remove the spark plugs from the left bank, dry, clean and re install to start the car again. So thats where the diagnosis of either a gasket or head crack may be the problem. If i drive the car and leave the radiator cap on loosely, when i turn the car off (when its warm) i dont have the problem of water pushing into the cylinders because the pressure is releasing thru the loose radiator cap. i doubt its an engine block due to the engine oil having no water in it and theres no sign of any external water leaks.

 

Hi from noosa ...there is a silica based sealer which can be added to the water to seal head gaskets and cracks ...used it very successfully in the Uk on diesel Taxis where the heads crack easily ..they put it into new vehicles ..hve not seen in australia as it a trade only product ..will have a look and see what I can find....you should have a cylinder leakage test dont ...presurise one cylinder with compressed air ..if it comes out the adjacent cylinder it probably a cylinder head gasket...

 

If you keep driving it like you have with this water getting inside your going to have a much bigger problem. Shut it off get it taken apart and get it fixed.

 

Gday Pistnbroke,Yep i have been checking out some gasket repairs sealants, a couple called thremagasket and steal's steel, interesting reading and plenty of forums discussing the trials and tribulations of the products. Personally IMO, fix the problem now. im going to replace the head gasket and get the head machined. My main question i guess is "has anyone else done the removal and refitting themselves?"

Riiverrider - Ive only driven it to test (twice in a month)

 

It should be straighforward....why not take out that butterfly stuff while you are in there and avoid a future problem ...

 

Butterfly stuff?

 

Hi, I have a 2005 Kia Optima LX and when changing the water pump and timing belt, I started my car and heard noises, I drove around for a few days when it didn't start again. I than pulled off the timing cover and notice the timing belt had got torn I also pulled out the spark plugs and notice that 3 new plugs where bent I also notice that about 4 rocker arms came off. So now I am stuck could you please help me?

 

Hello Scoobz and welcome to the Kia forums..
Stripping down and checking will give you chance to check bore etc.
The engines do not blow gaskets unless they are driven without water or you have not used antifreeze.
You are probably calling me names but---the antifreeze is also an inhibitor to stop the water corroding the alloy head. Without the inhibitor the head will be a honey combe and may need replacing.
Remember the Hyundai has same unit.

Jeff

 

Kamamo: Repost in the Kia Optima section and you will get more help.

Every one hopefully sees this is an 8 year old thread right......