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Kia Optima 2006 and earlier

609 messages,  Last post on Sep 20, 2011 at 11:45 AM

You are in the Kia Optima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Kia Optima, Sedan

Messages Page 49 of 62

#475 of 609 My Kia is blowing amps by mneal

Apr 26, 2006 (6:56 am)

Hi There!
I have a 2004 KIA Optima V6 that will not start if you leave it sit for longer than a day. We have taken it back to the dealership 4 times now, and they keep telling me that the amp is blown and then they replace it. Then a few weeks later we are in the same boat. The amp blows and we have to have it replaced again. The guys in the shop at the dealership are being real jackA*$ about the whole thing, and are not looking for the route cause of the problem, they just keep fixing the amp and sending me on my way.

#476 of 609 RE: MY 06 OPTIMA 5 SPD 4 by pazian

May 11, 2006 (5:49 pm)

HI I bought my 06 optima in march hopeing to get better
mileage then my pt crusier. Also more comfort. I am getting both. I get between 32mpg and 34 mpg combined hwy and city,. I was wondering if that is normal for the 4 with 5 speed trans. My 2004 pt could only get between 28-30 mpg also
the optima is a better ride. I also changed oil with synthetic oil to improve the mpg,s. let me know if any one is getting this kind of mileage with there optima. I have 5100 miles after 1.5 months

#477 of 609 RE: MY 06 OPTIMA 5 SPD 4 [pazian] by ray_h1

May 12, 2006 (6:40 am)

Replying to: pazian (May 11, 2006 5:49 pm)
Congratulations! Your fuel mileage figures for your 4-banger should continue to improve as you pile more miles on. Coming up on 20,000 miles on my '03 Sonata V6 (4-sp AT), I'm getting 22+ in the city and 32+ on the highway. Despite what anyone tells you, synthetic motor oil brings no meaningful fuel economy improvement over current API "SM" conventional motor oils when viscosity ranges are matched. My mileage figures are using TropArtic 10W-30 motor oil I picked up at Dollar Tree. (guess how much I paid... ) What synthetic oil brings to the table is its ability to withstand punishing heat without oxidizing to form sludge and extra detergent/dispersant chemistry to hold and neutralize contaminants over extended drain intervals. Unfortunately, Hyundai, like most other automakers*, does NOT recognize synthetic motor oil's extended drain interval advantage - you're still responsible for 7,500 mile "normal service" or 3,000 mile "severe service" oil change intervals to maintain your car's powertrain warranty. Within those service confines, conventional motor oils will provide equivalent protection. You're certainly doing no harm with your decision to use synthetic motor oil; I just question whether you're realizing its full value.
 
*Bizarrely, Nissan actually advises against the use of synthetic motor oil in their owner's manuals. No reason given.

#478 of 609 Spark Plugs on Optima 2001 by buddyglee

Jun 01, 2006 (3:32 pm)

I am guessing by the looks of things that I will need to remove the intake manifold in order to replace 3 of the spark plugs and wires? Do I need a new gasket for this, Is there an easier way short of paying the dealer?
2001 Kia Optima V6

#479 of 609 Re: Spark Plugs on Optima 2001 [buddyglee] by ray_h1

Jun 01, 2006 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: buddyglee (Jun 01, 2006 3:32 pm)
In a nutshell, 'Yes' and 'No'. It's not really the intake manifold that has to come off - small comfort though, because the "purge tank" (aka "plenum chamber") and its associated ram runners is what has to come off. There're some nasty hidden brackets and fasteners behind the purge tank that have to be removed. The throttle and cruise control cables have to be disconnected, several vacuum and a PCV hose have to be disconnected, a couple of electrical connectors, and the throttle body has to be removed before you can actually take on the purge tank in mortal combat. If you're not already intimately familiar with the procedure, figure on five frustrating hours, minimum, to broaden your vocabulary to undreamt of abilities. I have an '03 Sonata V6 - same car the previous generation Optima V6 was derived from. My dealer quoted me $350.00 for a spark plug changeout when it comes due.

#480 of 609 Re: Spark Plugs on Optima 2001 [ray_h1] by buddyglee

Jun 01, 2006 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Jun 01, 2006 4:58 pm)
The cables have to be removed? I almost looked like I could remove the bolts an scoot it out of the way just enough. Do I need to get any gaskets?
 
Thank you for the response to the previous post.
 
Any Idea on how easy the timing belt is to change out? Dealer quoted 460.00 I haven't yet obtained a manual to leaf through. Cheker only had a Sephia book. I did not know if the engine was the same or not.

#481 of 609 Re: Spark Plugs on Optima 2001 [buddyglee] by ray_h1

Jun 02, 2006 (2:44 pm)

Replying to: buddyglee (Jun 01, 2006 5:14 pm)
I bought the 2003 Sonata shop manual shortly after buying my car - I figure, rightly or wrongly, that I can recoup most if not all it's $60.00+ purchase price off eBay when I trade in a couple of more years. You'll need a new gasket to seal the junction between the purge tank runner end and the intake manifold to which it's bolted. I wasn't aware the KIA Sephia had a V6 option - but that's because I'm not familiar with that model anyway. The engine in the prior generation Optima is the Hyundai "Delta" 2.7L all aluminum V6. I have no idea about the difficulty in changing out the Sonata/Optima's V6 engine timing belt, though from perusing the shop manual, I suspect it's not a fun way to spend a weekend. I do know that the water pump's mounted behind the engine front cover and driven off the timing belt's smooth side. When it's time to change the timing belt, you'd be well advised to consider prophylacticaly changing out the water pump as insurance while you have everything apart. Whatever you have to do to change the timing belt will have to be repeated if the water pump needs to be replaced before the next scheduled timing belt change. Several independent techs I've spoken with also say it's a good idea to change out the timing belt's auto-tensioner while everything's laid bare, too.
 
By the way, you can log onto KIA TechInfo, register and view a good portion of your model year Optima's shop manual for FREE . You'll need Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.

#482 of 609 Re: Spark Plugs on Optima 2001 [ray_h1] by buddyglee

Jun 02, 2006 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: ray_h1 (Jun 02, 2006 2:44 pm)
Thank you. Good to know about the water pump. Living in the desert it is always a good Idea to replace if you are there anyways. I will check on the idler. i don't know if the Sephia has the v6, it was just the only KIA book in the shop. I passed on it though. I have spent the last couple of months (Off and On) under the hood of a 96 buick skylark changing timing components to no avail (Valves bent I believe) Not a lot of room to work with on a front wheel drive. I will check out the KIA TechInfo for the info they have. Your help has been invaluable. Thank You.

#483 of 609 Kia Ft Ends by capt4

Jul 18, 2006 (5:17 pm)

I have a 2004 Optima 4 banger, runs fine not great
pings like crazy with reg fuel, not great gas mileage
in town for its size. I also discovered since new the following:
 
At 60MPH or more the left ft side has a whining noise
sort of like a wheel bearing.
 
At times when the wheel turns to the extreme left or almost extreme you hear a noise as if its a bad cv joint.
The dealer said it was some bolts in the ft end that were loose. I am over 50 and know what a cv joint sounds like
when it goes bad. My mechanic said sometimes the grease is
not packed and you can get a noise as if it is old but its just dry.
 
Also when I first purchased it the smell from the vents after you turned off the AC was really bad like a public toilet? DO you think that there is someone trapped inside?
haha
 
Any of you experienced the cv noise? or the whining at high speeds how about the ping in the motor
 
My friends have the identical 2004 EX's and dont have the noises. The dealer said to wait I said untilt he warranty runs out?
 
Thanks

#484 of 609 Experience with the new car dealers? by capt4

Jul 18, 2006 (5:23 pm)

What is your experience with Service Departments
as for the sales they were and continue to be great people.
I am on the east coast most of these dealers really are not hot on the Kia product.
 
Service leaves a lot to be desired I really like the car and
want to get the new Amanti or Azera but if service cannot fix a ft end problem that will cost a bundle when it goes bad and out of warranty what can you do?
 
Anyone tried Amsoil syn in the engine? I have ran it since
the 2nd oil change at 7500 miles really good stuff.

Messages Page 49 of 62

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