[OptimaPrime77]

Hi all. My Kia started knocking with check engine light flashing on the way to work the other day. Had it towed to Kia dealership. Today they call me and said they did the bearing clearance test and it passed so it isn't covered by warranty!! That there must be something else going on. If you look at the flowchart for this campaign it says even if it passes the clearance test if it is knocking then the next step is engine replacement. I noticed the engine didn't knock that morning at startup but it did after being driven a few miles. What is going on?? Did they not hear the noise? Very upset..

 

[Turbonut]

Never ends with these cars.
Do you know the CEL code? P1326? What was the diagnosis?
Is the car now running? If running, take it out and drive the car until the engine decides to
commit suicide, but make certain oil is always in the safe area.
Not saying there isn't a problem with the bottom end, but not every issue is covered under
the lifetime engine warranty so more information is needed.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

Never ends with these cars.
Do you know the CEL code? P1326? What was the diagnosis?
Is the car now running? If running, take it out and drive the car until the engine decides to
commit suicide, but make certain oil is always in the safe area.
Not saying there isn't a problem with the bottom end, but not every issue is covered under
the lifetime engine warranty so more information is needed.

Hi. They just called and said it passed the bearing clearing test so therefore not covered under warranty. Flowchart for campaign with the boxes and arrows shows that even if passing test if it is knocking final result is techline approval for engine replacement.. Car is knocking, in limp mode and not driveable. It jerks every few feet and almost stops and goes again.. They didn't offer any code info to me. Car was well maintained as it has 188,000 miles. Now it's a paper weight in dealer parking lot until I figure out what to do.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

Hi. They just called and said it passed the bearing clearance test so therefore not covered under warranty. Flowchart for campaign with the boxes and arrows shows that even if passing test if it is knocking final result is techline approval for engine replacement.. Car is knocking, in limp mode and not driveable. It jerks every few feet and almost stops and goes again.. They didn't offer any code info to me. Car was well maintained as it has 188,000 miles. Now it's a paper weight in dealer parking lot until I figure out what to do.

 

[Turbonut]

Hi. They just called and said it passed the bearing clearing test so therefore not covered under warranty. Flowchart for campaign with the boxes and arrows shows that even if passing test if it is knocking final result is techline approval for engine replacement.. Car is knocking, in limp mode and not driveable. It jerks every few feet and almost stops and goes again.. They didn't offer any code info to me. Car was well maintained as it has 188,000 miles. Now it's a paper weight in dealer parking lot until I figure out what to do.

Just sit tight and keep pressure on them, especially when in limp mode and knocking. They try anything to get out of an engine replacement.
The TSB for the bearing test is if it passes the bearing test, which they introduce pressure and vacuum into the cylinder, if not knocking, update ECM with latest software, clear adaptive values, clear P1326 DTC with engine running and send customer on their way, but if knocking, obtain a techline prior warranty authorization to replace engine.

Engine should be replaced.

Now, with that miles, they have the option to replace the engine, give you private party
value for the car, or you keep the car and I believe they give you $2000. Only heard of this
happen once, but just wanted to mention the possibility. I had 172,000 miles and never a problem, engine was replaced and I had the car back in 10 days.

I say they'll replace the engine, but keep us informed as to their determination.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

Just sit tight and keep pressure on them, especially when in limp mode and knocking. They try anything to get out of an engine replacement.
The TSB for the bearing test is if it passes the bearing test, which they introduce pressure and vacuum into the cylinder, if not knocking, update ECM with latest software, clear adaptive values, clear P1326 DTC with engine running and send customer on their way, but if knocking, obtain a techline prior warranty authorization to replace engine.

Engine should be replaced.

Now, with that miles, they have the option to replace the engine, give you private party
value for the car, or you keep the car and I believe they give you $2000. Only heard of this
happen once, but just wanted to mention the possibility. I had 172,000 miles and never a problem, engine was replaced and I had the car back in 10 days.

I say they'll replace the engine, but keep us informed as to their determination.

Maybe that's it. It was knocking but not at startup only after driving a few miles. Maybe it is an engine warm thing so they couldn't reproduce it? I'm not sure what to do because they already said it doesn't fall under warranty. And for now going to work in a rental that I'm paying 500 a week for I'm getting stressed.

 

[KingFatty]

Why haven't they given back the car to you?

 

[OptimaPrime77]

Why haven't they given back the car to you?

Oh , I can take it if I want. But it was in limp mode and knocking when I got it towed there and I needed to go to work so I rented a car. I left it there because I want to go in with the flowchart and ask them why I am being denied. Why tow it out of there when I'm either going to convince them to do the engine replacement or out a new engine in myself on my own dime..Thirdly, I might have to buy a new car and put that toward trade. They said I could leave it there for a couple days so that's what I'm doing until I have time to go back there and ask about my denial. I work basically the same hours the dealership is open so it's hard.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

Just sit tight and keep pressure on them, especially when in limp mode and knocking. They try anything to get out of an engine replacement.
The TSB for the bearing test is if it passes the bearing test, which they introduce pressure and vacuum into the cylinder, if not knocking, update ECM with latest software, clear adaptive values, clear P1326 DTC with engine running and send customer on their way, but if knocking, obtain a techline prior warranty authorization to replace engine.

Engine should be replaced.

Now, with that miles, they have the option to replace the engine, give you private party
value for the car, or you keep the car and I believe they give you $2000. Only heard of this
happen once, but just wanted to mention the possibility. I had 172,000 miles and never a problem, engine was replaced and I had the car back in 10 days.

I say they'll replace the engine, but keep us informed as to their determination.

Hi Turbonut..There is a mileage limit? I thought it was lifetime as long as update done? Just asking as you said at that mileage they have 3 options.

 

[Turbonut]

It is a lifetime engine warranty, but Kia has options available to them if they so choose that route:

For Class Vehicles that may otherwise need a new engine pursuant to this warranty at or above
150,000 miles and more than eight (8) years from the original in-service date, Defendants shall
have the option, in lieu of replacing the engine under warranty, to either, at the vehicle owner’s
election, (i) repurchase the vehicle at Bluebook value (very good/private party) or (ii) pay the
owner $2,000.00 in lieu of an engine replacement, provided that the owner has installed the
KSDS, and which payment will require that the owner agree in writing to assume all risk going
forward and to void the vehicle’s remaining Lifetime Warranty.

The have replaced many engines >150,000 miles, so not saying they will take this route, but just
wanted everyone to be made aware of their options.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

It is a lifetime engine warranty, but Kia has options available to them if they so choose that route:

For Class Vehicles that may otherwise need a new engine pursuant to this warranty at or above
150,000 miles and more than eight (8) years from the original in-service date, Defendants shall
have the option, in lieu of replacing the engine under warranty, to either, at the vehicle owner’s
election, (i) repurchase the vehicle at Bluebook value (very good/private party) or (ii) pay the
owner $2,000.00 in lieu of an engine replacement, provided that the owner has installed the
KSDS, and which payment will require that the owner agree in writing to assume all risk going
forward and to void the vehicle’s remaining Lifetime Warranty.

The have replaced many engines >150,000 miles, so not saying they will take this route, but just
wanted everyone to be made aware of their options.

Well it looks like I don't really have recourse if they choose one of the other options do I? Of course they have not even offered me those two options just denied me because it passed the bearing test.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

It is a lifetime engine warranty, but Kia has options available to them if they so choose that route:

For Class Vehicles that may otherwise need a new engine pursuant to this warranty at or above
150,000 miles and more than eight (8) years from the original in-service date, Defendants shall
have the option, in lieu of replacing the engine under warranty, to either, at the vehicle owner’s
election, (i) repurchase the vehicle at Bluebook value (very good/private party) or (ii) pay the
owner $2,000.00 in lieu of an engine replacement, provided that the owner has installed the
KSDS, and which payment will require that the owner agree in writing to assume all risk going
forward and to void the vehicle’s remaining Lifetime Warranty.

The have replaced many engines >150,000 miles, so not saying they will take this route, but just
wanted everyone to be made aware of their options.

Called dealership again and they said that because I passed the bearing clearance test it doesn't get a new engine. I said I'm looking at a flowchart that says different. My flowchart, as you said Turbonut, says if it passes the clearance test and is knocking it is supposed to be engine replacement. He disagreed and said his flowchart, which the public doesn't see says otherwise. He also said if I pursue with Kia they are going to want to see oil changes every 3750. I thought it was 7500?? I think they are trying to take me for a long walk off a short pier.

 

[KingFatty]

I wonder why they lied about what Kia corporate would want to see?

Looks like you don't have a choice but to contact Kia corporate.

Do you have another dealership you can use?

 

[Turbonut]

What a bunch of crooks, that's Kia for you. I'd call Kia direct and see what they say, but if a negative reply, get the car out of there and hopefully the engine will seize at some point, but make certain oil is always in the safe area.
If the owners manual states 7500 miles, that's all is needed.
Another stealership would be the same, or at least the historical data would be available for all to see, and Kia makes the decision as to the engine replacement.
Keep probing them.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

What a bunch of crooks, that's Kia for you. I'd call Kia direct and see what they say, but if a negative reply, get the car out of there and hopefully the engine will seize at some point, but make certain oil is always in the safe area.
If the owners manual states 7500 miles, that's all is needed.
Another stealership would be the same, or at least the historical data would be available for all to see, and Kia makes the decision as to the engine replacement.
Keep probing them.

So get this. I must of made them nervous. Not sure what their angle is here but....Service manager calls back a half hour after I called and says he wanted to do diligence by bringing my car back in the garage and taking a listen himself. Now he says it's not the engine at all knocking but an idler pulley tensioner and they will install it free of labor charge. I just have to pay for the part. He said his tech didn't pick up on it and apologized for the inconvenience. Also said the knocking from the pulley triggered the P1326 code !!! I told him great if that's what it really is but we will see when I pick up the car. It better not start knocking again 5 miles after I pull out tomorrow..The car drinks oil and the knock I heard definitely didn't sound like a pulley but I've been wrong before. Let's see. If that's what it really was they could of told me that on Tuesday, fixed it and I wouldn't have to be in this rental that I paid 500 dollars for .

 

[OptimaPrime77]

I wonder why they lied about what Kia corporate would want to see?

Looks like you don't have a choice but to contact Kia corporate.

Do you have another dealership you can use?

Hi KingFatty. Please see my reply under Turbonut's response..This is getting crazy... Cheers

 

[Turbonut]

Glad that they hopefully resolved the issue, but a bad pulley to trigger the KS, far fetched, but I
never ever discount a possibility of something that happens which I've never heard of before.
Years ago to check the function of a KS, with the engine running, I'd tap the block with a hammer
and watch for the timing to retard.
My 2.0T used a qt in @350 miles, but the engine ran strong, no problems, however they did a
replacement back in '19 due to consumption, 172k miles, so yours may run for quite a while.

Keep us updated after you pick up the car.

 

[OptimaPrime77]

Glad that they hopefully resolved the issue, but a bad pulley to trigger the KS, far fetched, but I
never ever discount a possibility of something that happens which I've never heard of before.
Years ago to check the function of a KS, with the engine running, I'd tap the block with a hammer
and watch for the timing to retard.
My 2.0T used a qt in @350 miles, but the engine ran strong, no problems, however they did a
replacement back in '19 due to consumption, 172k miles, so yours may run for quite a while.

Keep us updated after you pick up the car.

It does sound far fetched. I'm picking up the car in the morning so let's see. I've never heard of a knocking pulley/tensioner setting a P1326 code either. I wonder what they are trying to do here because what I heard definitely sounded like the beginnings of a rod.knock... It only happened after the engine warmed and I drove about 5 miles so I'm not sure what to think..Hopefully that really is what happened. If I pick up that car and it starts knocking after driving a couple miles I am going to be highly agitated.

 

[chauncey]

It does sound far fetched. I'm picking up the car in the morning so let's see. I've never heard of a knocking pulley/tensioner setting a P1326 code either. I wonder what they are trying to do here because what I heard definitely sounded like the beginnings of a rod.knock... It only happened after the engine warmed and I drove about 5 miles so I'm not sure what to think..Hopefully that really is what happened. If I pick up that car and it starts knocking after driving a couple miles I am going to be highly agitated.

The only thing i've ever had on a vehicle go bad that sounds close to a rod knock is a bad a/c compressor and not sure if it would set that code unless the ksds update makes it very sensitive. bad pulleys are more like a grinding noise as the bearings tend to go. hopefully they found the issue for you tho.

 

[bigbxsallday]

I kinda wondered if we should have an audio of said 'knock' for the rest of us to judge if it truly is rod knock.

Not everyone has actually heard one to know to distinguish it from other noises under the hood.