I follow my father’s advice and check the oil in my car once a week. The Soul’s engine consumes oil, I’ve seen. I have to add three quarts of oil around every six months or 5,000 miles.
After checking it, the dealer confirms everything is in order. They seem to be saying, “Little Lady,” everything is fine and they want me to leave.
A: Oil is burnt during regular combustion, however different engines use oil differently.
According to Kia’s extremely detailed oil consumption studies, one quart of oil used per 1,000 miles or more is considered to be normal. The engine is working up to specification based on Kia’s standards for oil usage.
In This Article...
Oil burning in Kia engines: why?
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:
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.
Do Kias experience engine issues?
A fuse can be changed by a dealer. The control modules will also be examined by Hyundai dealers, who will replace them if necessary. Kia will ship them on March 31, and Hyundai will send them starting on April 5.
Owners can check if their car is being recalled by going to www.nhtsa.gov and entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
According to Hyundai, the company “acts rapidly and efficiently to recall the vehicle and remedy the fault at no cost to impacted customers” when it discovers a safety flaw.
Drivers may notice or smell warning indications, according to Kia. They might see smoke coming from the engine compartment, smell something burning or melting, and the antilock brake warning light might turn on.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration intensified a number of investigations into the engine compartment fires that have plagued the Korean automakers, leading to Tuesday’s recalls.
In December, the organization combined two 2017 investigations into a brand-new engineering examination that covered more than 3 million automobiles from the model years 2011 through 2016. At that time, the NHTSA had gotten 161 reports of engine fires, some of which had happened in recalled cars.
The first engine failure and fire-related recall from the companies dates back to September 2015. According to NHTSA records, they have since issued at least eight further recalls for a variety of engine issues.
The organization stated that it is assessing whether earlier recalls covered enough vehicles. The effectiveness of earlier recalls will also be evaluated, as well as the long-term viability of linked programs and non-safety field operations being carried out by Hyundai and Kia.
The automakers claimed to have carried out a number of recalls to address engine problems at the time, including recalls, new engine monitoring technology, and offering extended warranties.
The recalls announced on Tuesday are different from the engine failure issue that led to the majority of the prior Hyundai-Kia fire recalls, according to Michael Brooks, chief counsel for the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety. “Although NHTSA has the power to force a recall and maybe a buyback of all impacted vehicles, the distinct fire flaws that have plagued millions of Hyundai cars across multiple model years makes this a very difficult process,” he said.
Because Kia and Hyundai took too long to recall more than 1 million vehicles with potentially dangerous engines, the NHTSA announced in November 2020 that they would be forced to pay $137 million in fines and make other safety measures. The penalties ended an earlier investigation on the companies’ actions involving multiple model recalls going back to the 2011 model year.
For safety performance measures, Kia was required to pay $27 million and put $16 million into them. As long as Kia complies with safety requirements, a further $27 million payment will be postponed, according to NHTSA.
Despite denying the U.S. accusations, Kia claimed it wished to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.
Since 2015, Hyundai and Kia have issued more than 30 U.S. recalls for fire and engine-related issues, according to data gathered by the Center for Auto Safety. More than 20 models, totaling more than 8.4 million cars, from the model years 2006 through 2021 are included in the recalls.
A large number of recalls included production flaws that prevented oil from passing past the engine block. Many of them need pricey engine replacements.
Additionally, 3.7 million vehicles from Hyundai and Kia were the target of a U.S. “product enhancement program” to install software warning drivers of potential engine issues.
What are some typical Kia issues?
bulletins for numerous vehicles that have had engine issues. among the most
Owners and tenants frequently report the following Kia engine issues:
- power loss or stalling
- A knocking noise
- Seizing
- Overheating
- Leaks
- Non-collision flames
- Unpredictable engine failure [1]
Why does my Kia Optima use oil so quickly?
The 2016 Kia Optima’s engine has a lot of problems. The sedan’s four-cylinder GDI engines, most specifically the turbocharged Theta II, are the subject of 87 of the 239 complaints. The NHTSA reports that complaints concerning excessive oil use and engine knocking are frequent. Owners report using a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so. Its defective piston rings, which fail too soon, are the actual cause. From 30,000 km on, drivers have experienced oil burning problems.
There have also been reports of the engine unexpectedly seizing and failing. The automobile either fully stalls or enters limp mode, according to the complainants. This draws attention to another another problem with GDI engines. These engines have a malfunctioning fuel injector system, according to technicians. They claim that when the cylinder is overfilled with fuel, the check engine light comes on and the car goes into limp mode.
Overheating and excessive vibrations are two more issues with engines. The potential fire risk, though, would be more worrisome. A few unlucky owners witnessed their Optimas catch fire. Fortunately, the involved vehicles were parked, and no one was hurt. Although Kia has issued a recall due to what they believe to be the cause, the cause is unknown. It’s possible that the high-pressure fuel pipe connecting to the fuel pump outlet on the Optima was harmed. If this happens close to an ignition source, there may be a fuel leak, which raises the possibility of a fire. According to the NHTSA, the recall affects about 75,600 vehicles.
What is the Kia Motors lawsuit about?
Reuters, 25 February – On Friday, drivers filed lawsuits against Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) and Kia Corp (000270.KS) claiming that a flaw in the anti-lock brake systems of their cars might start fires.
After the South Korean automakers recalled over 485,000 Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, Kia K900, and Kia Sportage vehicles from model years 2014 through 2019, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Santa Ana, California.
According to Hyundai and Kia, damaged hydraulic electronic control units may result in electrical shorts that raise the risk of engine compartment fires while cars are being driven or even parked.
Dealers will install new fuses, they said, and advised that vehicles be parked outdoors and away from other people. There were 11 reports of fire incidents before the recall.
Vehicle owners and renters complained that the remedy was “just a Band-Aid” and that it did not sufficiently address the flaw or compensate them for out-of-pocket costs, lost use, and diminished value of their vehicles.
Numerous additional Hyundai and Kia vehicles with same alleged flaws from the 2006 through 2021 model years are also covered by the lawsuit. It asks for both punitive and illiquid damages.
Hyundai declined to respond right away. Requests for comment from Kia did not immediately receive a response.
Both automakers have long been plagued by fire and engine issues. According to the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, roughly 7.9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles from the 2006 to 2022 model years have been recalled since 2015 due to these problems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave more than $24 million to a former Hyundai engineer in November for coming forward in 2016 and complaining that the carmaker was ignoring an engine defect that would lead to collisions. View More
A year prior, the NHTSA judged Hyundai and Kia too tardy to recall more than 1.6 million vehicles with engine problems, leading to their agreement to pay $210 million in civil penalties.
Hyundai Motor Co. et al. v. Evans et al., U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 22-00300, is the name of the case.
Which Kia models are subject to a recall?
Certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). The printed circuit board’s memory chip may come into touch with the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover, breaking the electrical circuit.
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.