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2015 replacement engine from recall

2.6K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  Rudd Optima  
#1 ·
I purchased a 2015 optima that had a replacement motor put in back in november 2022 i have had it for about a month now... Im having issues with the car hesitating at take off and rough acceleration. It doesnt always do this its usually if i have drove it a little hard. Also when my gas tank gets to around 1/8th of a tank i smell exhaust fumes... I have taken it to the dealership twice now and they cant find any problems.. There is no warning lights on and like i said this only happens sometimes. Anybody else having this problem??
 
#2 ·
First try cleaning the fuel injectors. I add a 36 oz bottle of Techron (black bottle) every oil change or 4,000 miles. You cam also use Redline, Lucas or any other fuel treatment that contains the chemical PEA (polyetheramine). If it doesn't contain PEA it won't work. 36 oz bottles of Techron are about $17-19 on Amazon. My engine was also replaced last year. They reused the original high pressure fuel pump and the fuel injectors. Good luck!
 
#3 ·
Has anyone read for Pending cel codes? Even is CEL is not on dash there maybe a clue in a pending code. Any autozone type place will read for free. Hesitation and rough acceleration might normally set some kind of code.

Not sure about the fuel level/exhaust fume thing, yet I'd suggest keeping it somewhat more full than that at all times.
 
#6 ·
My 2015 Optima engine seized 80K miles while driving down the road going well over 70 mph and the more I think about it, that was very dangerous, and the results could have been catastrophic! KIA will cover a engine replacement, but it's been at the dealer ship for over 6 weeks. Service writer said that he is waiting on the engine to arrive.
Questions I have for members here.
1. How long did it take for everyone else to get a engine?
2. What all will they replace upon the engine change, fluids etc?
3. Is there a break in for the engine once installed?
4. Did they replace other components that could have been damaged because of the failure?
I remember the entire dash lit up like a blinking Christmas Tree when the engine seized while driving.
Smelling a very nasty foul Oder.
The settlement only covers reimbursements for car rentals. OUCH! I don't have extra funds for that right now.
Dealer will not provide a loaner car like they did when this settlement first went down.
I love that 2015 optima, but this is a huge inconvenience waiting this long without my car!

If anyone has any tricks and tips, please share.

Thank You!
 
#7 · (Edited)
I blew my '12 Optima turbo motor, more or less deliberately, going 130+ mph. Prior to its early demise It burned 5 quarts of oil between changes and it was loaded with sludge, even though the previous owner had lifetime oil changes from KIA. None of that would have happened with my old Honda. I waited about a month for the dealer to replace the engine. KIA would not give me a loaner car saying that they had none available. The pricks still charged me over $900 for repairing wiring that I know they damaged during removal. I know this because I used to run a garage. When you get your car back, install an oil catch can on the pcv line. It keeps carbon deposits off the intake valves. I would also suggest changing the break in oil after 500 miles and only use a full synthetic oil and long life filter thereafter. I like Castrol Edge but brand doesn't matter. Don't go more than 5,000 miles between changes and regularly use a fuel system cleaner that contains PEA (polyetheramine). Theta II engines suck out loud and require extreme service maintenance schedules for any semblance of longevity. Good luck!
 
#8 ·
rbwphd
Thank you for sharing your information. After all of this bull sh** I will never own another KIA. The a** holes in the service department are totally unprofessional at the dealership my KIA was at. No communication whatsoever until I had to call for an update and then later, I had to call KIA corporate office who also struggled trying to get a status update on when my engine would be installed.
Car was finally ready after 2 months.
They didn't bother with a courtesy car wash or vacuum.