Oil burning on your Kia Soul is a red flag that something is amiss. You run the risk of doing permanent damage to your engine if you disregard the warning indicators. If this occurs, it will be quite expensive to fix, and you would be better off purchasing a new vehicle.
Burning oil might signify several things depending on the car, so we are unable to define it for you. To figure out why their Kia Soul is burning oil, consumers commonly check a few typical places. In order to find out what burning oil on your Kia Soul signifies, you need open the hood and look under the vehicle.
You need to search for a leak to identify the source of the burning oil. You should check a few different places, though. Here are some of them for your review:
In This Article...
Oil level
Check your oil level first before beginning your search for the leak’s origin. Your Kia is probably running low on oil if it is burning oil. If the level is low and there are no leaks, you must add oil.
To start looking for the leak, you should add oil. Finding the leak will be challenging if the Kia Soul runs out of oil.
Combustion chamber
You should examine the combustion chamber if your Kia is burning oil. The valves, pistons, spark plugs, and cylinders are all part of this section. If you notice any of these objects covered in oil, it may be a sign that one of these components has caused an oil leak into the combustion chamber of your engine.
Oil on spark plugs
Replace your Kia’s spark plugs right away if you notice any oil on them. This is due to the possibility that the oil will cause your engine to operate poorly.
Oil on spark plugs typically denotes a problem with one of the following parts: PCV valve, piston rings, or valve seals.
Valve seals
Your oil will leak into the combustion chamber if your valve seals are compromised. Because of this, if there is oil on the spark plugs or in the combustion chamber, it is crucial to check for this problem. To stop future harm, you should also repair any cracked, damaged, or deteriorating valve seals.
Piston rings
The piston rings aid in sealing your engine and maintaining oil pressure. But if one of these parts is worn out, fractured, or broken, it might let oil out and into the combustion chamber.
PCV valve
Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) systems are intended to remove impurities from the crankcase before they may enter the engine through the intake. Unfortunately, if the PCV valve is damaged, oil will flow into the combustion chamber and it won’t be able to drain these impurities. Your engine could malfunction as a result of this, burning oil, and damaging your Kia.
Oil filter
If the oil filter has any damage or has loose clamps, you should change it. If there is no damage or slack in the clamps, you must inspect the sealing surfaces. If oil is dripping from this area, it may be a sign that an engine component is damaged.
Oil pan gasket
There is a good likelihood that the oil under the engine could be coming from the oil pan gasket if you discover any. If it’s leaking, you should replace it and let your Kia’s oil level drop.
Filler cap
An engine oil leak from a damaged filler cap is a possibility. There is a significant risk that your filler cap is coming loose if you notice oil on the surfaces of your Kia Soul near where it is positioned.
Leaking hoses
You must immediately replace any hoses or gaskets that are leaking on your Kia. You must ensure that these hoses are well clamped and are not leaking because they are intended to transport oil to various parts of your car.
Oil filter housing gasket
There can be a tiny leak where the oil filter connects to the engine block if your Kia is burning oil. As a result, oil will be burnt during the combustion process of your engine. In addition, if this gasket has any damage or is degrading, it might need to be replaced.
Oil dipstick tube seal
Oil may be leaking into this region as a result of a cracked or loose oil dipstick tube seal. If the seal has any damage or is degrading, you should replace it.
Cooler line
Check the cooler lines if your Kia is burning off oil. It is possible that oil is entering the combustion chamber because one of these lines has become loose or is leaking.
Oil separator
Used engine oil is removed from the crankcase by the oil separator and returned to the engine via a return line. Your Kia may burn oil if the oil separator is leaking and is the cause of low oil pressure.
Drain plug
Your Kia could have an oil leak and run out of oil if the drain plug is damaged or loose. If it starts to come out and your engine starts burning oil, you need to replace this component.
Why does my car leak but is losing oil?
There are typically two reasons why a car can be inexplicably losing oil: either you have a leak, or your engine is burning it off. Even while you might not notice any outward indications of leaking, less obvious components like a damaged seal or leaky rings could be to blame.
Fortunately, Firestone Complete Auto Care provides a free 19-point inspection as part of a full-service oil change to identify any obvious leaks. However, if you need to add a quart or more of oil to your engine between changes and there isn’t a leak, your car probably has an oil burner.
Low Oil But No Leak? You’re Probably Burning Oil
When defective engine components allow oil to flow into the combustion chamber, oil burning occurs. If your engine only burns little amounts of fuel, blue-tinted smoke coming from your exhaust could be a sign of this problem but may not always be noticeable. While it’s common for certain automobiles to burn more oil than others, if you notice a continuous low level, it’s advisable to get your car serviced as soon as you can.
Too much oil loss can cause major engine damage and costly repairs, especially in older vehicles with odometer readings of 100,000 miles or more. However, automobiles with fewer than 50,000 miles on the odometer should normally only need a quart more oil between changes.
Is it bad to operate an oil-burning vehicle?
When combined with routine oil changes, checking your engine oil level ensures the best lubrication and engine protection and may extend the life of your car. But occasionally oil is burned in engines, which results in a slow decline in oil level. That might result in subpar performance or even internal harm.
Which additive can stop oil from burning the best?
Eight Engine Oil Additives to Prevent Oil Burning
- Oil Additive AR9100 by Archoil Please join VEHQ!
- Engine flush Liqui Moly 2037 Pro-Line.
- Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer, Lucas 10001.
- SF-16 Motor Treatment with Sea Foam.
- Engine Repair at Bar’s Leaks.
- Engine Oil Supplement, BG MOA Part No. 110.
- Tex Tribo.
- Diesel oil additive and fuel kit REV X.
What level of oil combustion is acceptable?
What amounts to overconsumption of oil? How can you figure out how much oil a car or a utility vehicle uses? And what is the engine’s maximum allowable oil consumption? This article contains the solutions.
In reality, views on the threshold of excessive oil usage vary greatly between nations.
The moving components in an engine, in particular the pistons and valves, are not completely gas- and oil-tight due to the running clearances needed as part of the design. This indicates that oil is utilized slowly yet steadily. The oil film on the cylinder surface is extensively subject to high-temperature burning in the combustion chamber. As a result, the engine oil burns, vaporizes, and is discharged into the atmosphere together with the exhaust stream.
The maximum allowed oil consumption for the engine is frequently stated in workshop manuals and operating instructions. If the manufacturer’s specification is unavailable, an oil consumption estimate of 0.25 to 0.3 percent for buses and a maximum of 0.5 percent for utility vehicles can be made.
Modern passenger automobile engines often have oil consumption of less than 0.05 percent, while the allowed limit is 0.5 percent (all percentage values relate to actual fuel consumption).
For stationary engines, older engine types, and under specific operating circumstances, the average oil consumption may be higher.
By contrasting the actual oil consumption with the maximum allowed oil consumption, it is possible to determine whether any corrective actions are necessary.
Compared to gasoline engines, diesel engines use more engine oil. Due to the lubrication of the turbocharger, engines with a turbocharger also require more engine oil than engines without one.
Oil consumption rises throughout the course of an engine’s lifespan owing to wear and is at its lowest after the running-in period for technical reasons. All parts of the engine will be affected equally by wear. Due to this, performing partial repairs, such as swapping out simply the pistons or piston rings, frequently has no impact on the amount of oil that is consumed.
Example calculation for utility vehicles
A utility vehicle uses about 40 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers. This translates to 400 liters of petrol for a 1000-kilometer trip.
- 400 litres of fuel divided by 0.25 percent = 1 liter of oil consumed per 1000 kilometers.
- 0.5 percent of 400 liters of fuel equates to 2 liters of oil used per 1000 kilometers.
Example calculation for passenger cars
A passenger car uses around 8 liters of petrol for every 100 kilometers. This extrapolates to 80 litres of fuel for a 1000-kilometer trip.
- 80 litres of fuel divided by 0.05 percent = 0.04 liters of oil consumed per 1000 kilometers.
Why is the oil in my car using up so quickly?
A low oil level is typically caused by three things: leaks, attrition, and owner neglect.
Older vehicles frequently experience oil leaks. The gaskets, seals, and other connections in an engine that stop oil leaks deteriorate with time. Eventually, they can begin to leak oil, causing a mess underneath the engine where you usually park the car. If your car leaks oil, you must periodically check the fluid level and maintain it at a full level until the issue is fixed.
While oil leaks lower oil levels, attrition and a car owner’s negligence are the most frequent causes of oil loss. The oil level will drop if you don’t check it frequently and add oil as needed, which will prevent various engine parts from getting the lubrication they require. This causes the engine to wear out earlier than necessary, which over time may necessitate costly repairs.
An internal combustion engine uses some oil even when it isn’t leaking it as part of routine maintenance. This happens when the oil enters the engine’s combustion chambers, where it burns alongside the fuel after passing through the piston rings. A car’s exhaust may be white and smokey and smell like burned oil when oil consumption is excessive because of engine age or internal damage. This is an indication that your car needs major work.
By routinely checking and replacing your engine oil, you may prevent this. The oil degrades and becomes soiled over time. If left unchecked, oil deterioration may result in early engine wear. You may find the recommended oil change service intervals for your automobile in the owner’s manual.
Has there been a recall on my Kia Sorento?
A particular model year 2021 Sorento and 20212022 K5 equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines are being recalled by Kia Motor America (Kia). The pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail is susceptible to fuel leaks. Tip: Not all vehicles from the same year, make, and model are subject to recalls.
How long does it take to replace the oil in a Kia Sorento?
This is why it’s crucial to understand when to have your Kia’s oil changed and how frequently to do so. Although some vehicle experts advise changing the oil every 5,000 miles, you should always consult your owner’s handbook for specific instructions. The majority of new Kia cars can easily travel between 7,500 and 10,000 miles between repairs.
Can defective spark plugs burn oil?
It could be difficult to determine that your car is burning oil if it is a recent model. This is so that the catalytic converter can disguise the signs of burning oil in newer vehicles. You are unaware that your car may be burning oil.
The symptoms of burning oil, however, are quite obvious and simple to identify in older vehicles. They consist of;
The lighting of the oil check light is one of the most noticeable warning signals of oil burning in vehicles. Don’t disregard it when you see it, please.
Low coolant level: Oil on the ground indicates leaks. However, if the oil level is steadily dropping without any sign of physical leaking, it is a definite sign that the oil is burning within. Because of the excessive coolant use by your engine at this point, oil consumption rises noticeably.
Engine misfiring: Another obvious sign that a car is burning oil is engine misfiring. Low coolant is a common cause of it. The engine overheats and misfires when the coolant is low and unable to keep the engine cool.
Spark plugs are harmed when oil in them burns during engine operation. A defective set of spark plugs will show up as oil in the plugs.
Blue smoke coming from your exhaust pipe is a surefire sign that your car is burning oil, according to the color of the smoke. When you start the car, you typically see this smoke.
Burning oil odor: This is frequently noticed when oil escapes from the engine and falls on nearby parts. Most of the time, these parts are hot. So you smell burning oil when these leaks come into contact with a hot surface.
Is my automobile leaking or burning oil?
The most typical sign that your engine is burning oil is a tailpipe blast of bluish smoke. Burning oil is known for its characteristic blue tint.
The exhaust smoke may not always be as noticeable on some vehicles, particularly those that utilize synthetic engine oil. But there’s still a strong smell of burning oil. It could make you queasy and is unsettlingly weighty.
It is possible for a car to be burning oil without leaking even in the absence of blue smoke or the smell of burning oil. Oil consumption is a typical byproduct of engine operation; it can range up to a quart per 2,000 miles. Your crankcase’s oil level may drop as a result. You might not be aware that your oil use is significantly more than usual until it’s too late.