Hi,

My '04 CRDi has done the same since new (now done 15k), dealer had exactly the same problem with every one I tested on the forecourt. KIA don't seem to have an answer for this annoying problem, but my own theory is the start up heaters in the engine are not man enough for the job, having had a similar problem with a peugeot 806 diesel which had duff glow plugs.

 

Many thanks Ian for your reply, I don't know whether to feel pleased or not that it seems to be a common problem. I'm booked in to take it to the dealer next week perhaps they will check the glow plugs. I wonder if it could be faulty injectors?
I will post my results next week.

 

Ahh Diesels. They have a personality of their own.

Based on what I recall, faulty or low-power glow plugs cause this problem on any diesel, so I think you might be spot on.

 

Originally posted by Benjammin@Mar 7 2006, 02:47 PM
Ahh Diesels. They have a personality of their own.

Quoted post​

Oh, yes!

I once had a Frontera with the Opel 2.2 diesel engine. If I drove it every day, no problem - leave it a day or two (as is my normal usage) and it would not start without some really heavy action on the starter. Usually about 30 minutes on and of and more than one a call to the tow truck. The first thing the mech checked was the glow plugs.

In 12 months they replaced all the injector seals (head removal job) after swearing that there were no air leaks. The vacuum pump (leaking after previous) The throttle body, after swearing there was nothing wrong with it. The final major item was the diesel injector pump (about £1500 I was told) when the same symptoms returned a few month later.

All under warranty thankfully.

Didn't tell them (as the warranty was due to expire) that I had already agreed a part exchange with my local Kia dealer for my first Sorento (you knew there would be a link somewhere ).

Kia dealer was more than happy to wait for Vauxhall to fix it before we swapped. :thumbsup:

And only regular servicing since. :banana:

Regards

 

Hi guys

I've got a 2005 diesel and there's no such problem with it !! Frankly I wouldn't believe a word of the dealers "every one in the yard does it" bullhockey !!! should start fine as long as you wait for the glow-plug light to go out. ONly thing I can think is you've got crap diesel over there.

Derek

 

Thanks Derek, problem is trying to get it to missfire at the Dealers. They are going to keep it overnight and try themselves. Do you think it's worth getting them to change the glow plugs? if they can't find a problem?

 

Originally posted by Derek@Mar 7 2006, 11:54 PM

a word of the dealers "every one in the yard does it" bullhockey !!!

Quoted post​

he didn't say that, exactly

 

Quite right!

If Derek had bothered to read the post properly I stated - "dealer had exactly the same problem with every one I tested on the forecourt.

I am not a dealer and yes I checked every Sorento diesel they had on the forcourt myself (new and demonstrator), they all misfired and spluttered when started from cold.
The dealers demonstrator was a new XSE which was awaiting new injectors to try and cure the problem, the dealer never got the problem resolved before it was sold on to an unsuspecting customer.

 

Thanks again Ian for your update. So you don't think its worth taking the Sorento in to the dealers? How many Sorento's did you Test?

What was your Dealers reaction to your findings, it's strange that the Dealer I bought the Sorento from also found that "they all did it" he even came out to my house and connected the "Computer" to the vehicle, started from cold, and no problems were found.

Also do you still have the problem?

 

Hi,
just to be curious: What is the temperature when you find the starting trouble?
I have used my Sore in conditions below minus 30 Celsius degrees (yes, last week here was -34° Celsius, and this I can say is cold). When starting from scratch it takes some seconds to cough and blue smoke is coming from exhaust pipe. But after 5 to 10 seconds engine is idling smoothly (or so smoothly it can in such coldness) again. This is normal behaviour for diesels, I have owned different brands from Land Rovers and Nissans to VWs and Mercedes, and every one acts about similarly.

I have heard some comments from Kia drivers here about CRDIs: We are using extra engine heaters here (working with electricity or with vehicles´s own fuel). When you are starting the pre-heated engine, some sensors may give faulty signals to control box and this causes rattling and unstable idle after annoying starting. When pressing down the gas pedal nothing happens, only the engine attempts to stop.
This may take minute or two, then all is normal again. Explanation is that control box thinks the temperature is quite warm, but as a matter of fact incoming air is freezing cold. It takes a while to adust the settings again.
Mainly these comments have come from Sportage drivers with 2,0 CRDi.

I don´t know if there are differences in Kia´s equipment geographically delivered. But I am sure if the problem you described is a feature, people here has noticed it and complained strongly.

I think one of the first things you can ask your service to do is to measure the glows. They have specific resistance when they are ok. If one or more plugs are dead (resistance immeasurable) or out of specs, the symptoms are like yours. The engine starts rigidly when cold. After warmed it runs ok (I have experience of this).

 

Thanks "Atomi19" The sorento is at the dealers at the moment and I will update you when I get it back.
The poor starting seems to happen at any ambient temperature and I am mighty glad it's not -30C here, we would all freeze to death never mind trying to start to the Sorento.
I have had plenty of diesel cars in the past, mainly Volvo, and I havn't experienced Miss-fire on start up before. Maybe its Korean engines?
When a glow plug fails its usually difficult to start the car my complaint is that it starts ok but misses for the first few seconds.
Thanks for your interest, Watch this space

 

Well, back from dealer and guess what---- no fault shows up on computer and Heater plugs check ok. They have E-Mailed Kia For suggestions!! This will take a few days for a reply so should hear from them next week.

Wish me Luck

 

one thing that comes to mind in my years of working on industrial desiels is you may have low compression in one or more cylinders

i think they need to do a "cold compression test"

 

Thanks for that input "Beyond_Help", What other symptoms would low compression on one cylinder give bearing in mind this only happens for a few seconds on start-up?
I am using a little oil About 0.5Ltr in 2500 miles! I assumed this was about normal for a diesel engine.
The power from the engine seems OK as I Tow a caravan of 1.5 Tons and the MPG is within expected limits.
Dare I ask what is the remedy if low comprssion is the problem? and what do you make of other postings above indicating this has been noted on other sorentos


1

 

when customers were complaining of hard to start cold problem on diesel, i made sure it was only related to cold startup not hot, and the glow plugs were working properly (if low emission diesel or very cold)
when one cyl starts to loose comp it shows up on cold start up. as soon as the engine starts up on the other cyls the week one develops more comp due to higher rpm and starts firing
one indication of no start or hard to start or missing due to low comp is that the exhaust smoke MAY be white in color while cranking or just after start up
some diesels are free breathers (no throdle plates) i don't know if kia diesel is a free breather. even a small air leak between the air filter and the engine will "dust" the engine, which means premature wearing of the piston rings, pistons and sleves
even with everything being proper, glow plugs, injectors, injector pump, timing above 20 degrees f it should not be missing even if it is a low emisson diesel. that has been my experiance

when you start to loose comp on a diesel the problem showes up on cold starts first

i won't comment on what i think of Lister and Lombardini diesels !

 

Thanks "Beyond_help" dealer is having sorento in to check injectors, lets hope they find something.