3.3TT Engine overheating

[Vega312]

So the issue was warped thermostat. Kia will replace thermostat and thermostat housing assembly. Per tech, it's a common issue on v6 lambda engine. Also, per tech, air removal is performed digitally via diagnostic scan now. All good as I am going camping this weekend and rental Sorento will come in handy for sure.

 

[Vega312]

Makes sense that you have a leak like that if the dealer replaced your engine under warranty. They probably didn't properly secure or tighten the hose that's leaking during the swap.

So the issue was warped thermostat. Kia will replace the thermostat and thermostat housing assembly. Per tech, it's a common issue on v6 lambda engine. Also, per tech, air removal is performed digitally via diagnostic scan now. All good as I am going camping this weekend and a rental Sorento will come in handy for sure.

 

[JSolo]

^^Help me understand what a digital bleed is?

 

[Vega312]

^^Help me understand what a digital bleed is?

I assume it's a valve that is digitally activated by a tech to remove air from the system when a coolant service is performed. It's first one for me as well.

 

[JSolo]

Sounds like bs to me. I can understand doing so to remove air from an abs module, but we're talking about the cooling system here. Either you vacuum fill it to ensure no air, or bleed it traditionally using something like a lisle burp funnel.

As far as I know the water pump on these cars is mechanical, not electrical. Sounds like tech is blowing 01100010 01110101 01101100 01101100 01110011 01101000 01101001 01110100 your way.

 

[Vega312]

The tech told me that he replaced a bunch of thermostats in Kia/hunday engines so he probly knows a thing or two about this. He said that the coolant bleed/refill is computer assisted now adays in new cars. Lets hope Kia does becone stupidly over engineered like BMWs

Perhaps Kia is trying to stupify the process for techs now

 

[tarmacblack1]

I was driving today where all of a sudden a warning light came up displaying that my engine is overheating. I quickly pulled over and discovered that my auxiliary coolant tank was low where the dip stick was not touching the coolant. I walked to local auto store and bought Zerex coolant and filled the tank to OK mark. The engine still seems to be overheating where the gauge goes to red mark and quickly back to half. After 15 mins it does the same and at times it hovers at 65 to 70 percent mark. I am suspecting that I may have air in the system since the auxiliary coolant tank was running low but was not empty. what is strange is that that the radiator coolant cap is cold to the touch and that fan is blowing cool air. Perhaps thermostat is getting stuck preventing coolant from circulating properly and maybe pressure inside causes it to open? The coolant lines are also cold to the touch indicating that there is no circulation. I looked around and was not able to find any leaks and coolant is at the same level in the auxiliary tank. Any ideas? Is there a way to purge the air bubbles from the system. I highly doubt it's the mump on a car with 24k milles.

Same issue yesterday. Pretty sure it's thermostat issue. $231 thermostat wtf lol?

 

[tarmacblack1]

Curious to know what the level is at the radiator itself too. Maybe snap a pic if you can.

I just topped off mine the other week in the reservoir tank. Was about halfway between F and L under a fully cold state (sat over night). I get that coolant odor after shutting off the car, but no noticeable external leaks either.

Same thing lol. Be ready.

 

[Vega312]

Same issue yesterday. Pretty sure it's thermostat issue. $231 thermostat wtf lol?

It's not just a thermostat as it comes with assembly. I just hope that my engine did not overheat and warped the head gasket....
I am still loosing antifreeze but not much.
Thermostat is like 120 whole sale price and hopefully they fixed the warping issue lol.
Now just need to replace outside silver trim as clear coat pilled off.

 

[tarmacblack1]

What I noticed on my 2.5T, with the level at the F mark, after engine reaching operating temp, the fluid will rise about 3/8" to 1/2" or so above the F line.

How did the air get in? I think that's simple. If/when the reservoir runs low (why is the kia system atmosphere venting to begin with!?@#), there's no more fluid to suck in as the coolant cools and contracts. Instead air is sucked in. Now air is free to circulate about within the cooling system.

tl;dr, IMO it's important to keep the res levels above L.

This is the first car i've had where I had to top off coolant in between fluid drain/fills. In the coolant smell thread, I linked to a thread on the k5 forum where an owner heard coolant gurgling sounds while driving. Turns out his res was exceptionally low.

As for correcting this, I suppose one can try one of those lisle burp funnels. They attach to the radiator at the cap fitting. You fill up the funnel ~half way. Allow the engine to warm up and fans to cycle at least twice while adding fluid to keep the funnel full.

I'd have to try this if I had the OP's issue. My method when doing a drain/fill is to use a vacuum filler (https://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-Airlift-Cooling-Checker/dp/B0002SRH5G). There's no need to burp anything or have thermostat cycle.

The OP indicated engine was replaced 4K ago. Possible they didn't bleed it properly thoroughly. IMO, it's up to the owner to keep track of fluids, esp on a new engine. Assume the mechanic putting it together is incompetent.

For you GT2 owners, does the dash indicate what the actual coolant temp is?

I never had a low reservoir. Bitch was FULL lol. If thermostat is stuck fluid can't move yet pressure will build. If that hot shit can't go through the crossover line it will fill the passenger side and start exiting the cap. I had coolant in all the right places to aid in this investigation lol. Hopefully have a tstat Tuesday. Question is why would it shit out with 10k miles.

 

[tarmacblack1]

It's not just a thermostat as it comes with assembly. I just hope that my engine did not overheat and warped the head gasket....
I am still loosing antifreeze but not much.
Thermostat is like 120 whole sale price and hopefully they fixed the warping issue lol.
Now just need to replace outside silver trim as clear coat pilled off.

Did you try filling the overflow and seeing if it emptied back into the motor? If so hg I doubt will be hurt. Crossed fingers!

 

[tarmacblack1]

Looks like the issue was caused by an air bubble or low antifreeze in the radiator. Opened the radiator cap and saw air bubbles coming out of the cooling system. The auxiliary tank still had one inch of fluid so it's a little strange. Drove to work this morning without any overheating issues.

Now just need to figure our why hot air does not always want to work...

Heater core line?

 

[Vega312]

Did you try filling the overflow and seeing if it emptied back into the motor? If so hg I doubt will be hurt. Crossed fingers!

I have a paranoia now and check antifreeze level regularly now lol. Looks like the antifreeze is going back to radiator from on the over flow tank. I got pissed and my Kia dealer last time as they replaced the thermostat and allegedly drained and filled the fluid but when I did my inspection the overflow tank was empty.
Going to buy a kit to check for a blown gasket just to be on the safe side; the one that checks for exhaust gas in the antifreeze.


Trust but verify - R. Reagan

 

[D.J.]

I have a paranoia now and check antifreeze level regularly now lol. Looks like the antifreeze is going back to radiator from on the over flow tank. I got pissed and my Kia dealer last time as they replaced the thermostat and allegedly drained and filled the fluid but when I did my inspection the overflow tank was empty.
Going to buy a kit to check for a blown gasket just to be on the safe side; the one that checks for exhaust gas in the antifreeze.


Trust but verify - R. Reagan

Was this warranty work, or did you pay for them to change a faulty thermostat?

 

[tarmacblack1]

I have a paranoia now and check antifreeze level regularly now lol. Looks like the antifreeze is going back to radiator from on the over flow tank. I got pissed and my Kia dealer last time as they replaced the thermostat and allegedly drained and filled the fluid but when I did my inspection the overflow tank was empty.
Going to buy a kit to check for a blown gasket just to be on the safe side; the one that checks for exhaust gas in the antifreeze.


Trust but verify - R. Reagan

AMEN! I'm replacing it myself. Hopefully that fixes the issue and others aren't caused lol.

 

[Vega312]

Was this warranty work, or did you pay for them to change a faulty thermostat?

Was under warranty

 

[tarmacblack1]

Well I replaced my thermostat and went through the ridiculous burping procedure and it still overheats. DAMN IT. Checking the water pump next.

 

[Vega312]

Well I replaced my thermostat and went through the ridiculous burping procedure and it still overheats. DAMN IT. Checking the water pump next.

I highly doubt that it's a broken water pump on a 2020 car. You may need to give it some gas to help it burp better or you may possibly have a leak somewhere.

 

[Vega312]

I highly doubt that it's a broken water pump on a 2020 car. You may need to give it some gas to help it burp better. you may possibly have a leak somewhere.check if your new thermostat is opening properly

 

[JSolo]

Maybe this is one of those engines that needs to be vacuum filled. Burping doesn't work¿?