The Kia Sedona/Carnival Thread [ARCHIVE]

[cyann21]

i have a 1999 carnival... it's already 98,000++ km already. and i already encountered a series of misfortunes... although the i really like this vehicle for the comfort and the ride, i'm thinking of letting go of this van.

this is what i encountered for the past 6 months:

broken auxilliary fans - while driving in summer... overheat...

while driving southbound in South super hiway... i lost power... and the van stopped. ayaw mag start pero nag-crank... brought it to the shop... and i was told that the thermostat and the radiator cap was not functioning (buti yun lang...)

last november i changed two front shock absorbers and the other parts in the steering... i used kayaba shocks as replacements.

meron pa... yun front brakes naman... the piston was replaced... because the old one chipped off... then the air filter naman...

now i'm encountering this problem... the coolant reservoir is always half empty... so i always put coolant every other day.

after an hour drive (binan to makati)... the coolant reservoir is spilling... so dripping parati yun coolant.

feeling ko it's the thermostat again... or the radiator needs cleaning...
anyway can anyone tell me what's wrong?

[jaguarpw]

sorry for your misfortunes bro.. Pero comment ko lang regarding the coolant reservoir na always half-empty. Experience ko noon sa akin, i always top it up up to the neck para full talaga, then when i drive i would notice water overflowing. Then i realized, after close inspection of the reservoir, that there's a marking for its empty and full level. Hindi pala kelangan hanggang sa neck. Basta in between lang those markings okay na. Nagflu-fluctuate kc ang level nyan depende sa temperature sa radiator (at pressure narin).

[cyann21]

sorry for your misfortunes bro.. Pero comment ko lang regarding the coolant reservoir na always half-empty. Experience ko noon sa akin, i always top it up up to the neck para full talaga, then when i drive i would notice water overflowing. Then i realized, after close inspection of the reservoir, that there's a marking for its empty and full level. Hindi pala kelangan hanggang sa neck. Basta in between lang those markings okay na. Nagflu-fluctuate kc ang level nyan depende sa temperature sa radiator (at pressure narin).

sir,

i always put the coolant/water up to the marking. so d sya talagang full... big mystery talaga yun... i read somewhere na baka may trapped air in the radiator...

thanks for the reply

[iwulporong]

pwede rin po na baka me leak na ung water pump mo due to wear & tear nya kasi medyo matanda na rin if ever di pa napapalitan ung original nya......

[ecport]

cyann21,
Since the van overheated previously, the cause of the coolant being used up frequently could be a warped cylinder head (maybe). Diesel engines operate under very high pressure compared to gasoline engines so when the engine overheats there is a higher probability of engine damage. Dripping coolant is an indicator of pressure build-up in the cooling system. This could also come from a problematic cylinder head. The fact that the coolant gets used up is abnormal. This means that there is so much heat and pressure in the engine that the water in the cooling system evaporates. Try to check if the there is dried up coolant at the joints of the hoses or if the hoses are hot and bloated after an hour's drive. Remove the cap of the coolant reservoir (NOT the radiator cap) after you drive and observe if steam comes out. Watch the engine temp too while driving, if it swings to the danger zone, stop, and let the engine cool down and check the coolant. If you experience these things, chances are you may need to have an engine overhaul or at least a cylinder head overhaul. I doubt if the thermostat is the problem.

I have experienced all this in my Carnival. Don't delay like I did. It can become expensive. I hope this helps.

[altec]

cyann, i hope you find the cause of the water leak. Do not allow your engine to overheat (if it hasn't already), because it will be more problematic. Overheated engines will have multitude of other problems, regardless of brands.

Regarding my ride, for the info of everyone, I had it towed from the Kia Casa to the injection pump shop where I had the pump fixed because they were arguing already why the repaired pump was still causing problems for my engine. True enough, the calibration shop admitted when they checked the pump that it was mistimed by their technician. They are still working on it. BUT the sad part is that when they also discovered that I needed to replace the timing belt because it had multiple hairline cracks already. So just to be sure, they recommended to have it replaced. Here is the catch, my ride is 55K mileage, and it is the 2ND time I am replacing the timing belt. The first time was when the casa said it needed replacement, and I used genuine kia timing belt. Putragis, ganun ba ang kia? I had the timing belt replaced with a US brand. Until now, my ride is still at the calibration shop.

When I confronted the calibration shop, ang sabi pa nila, maselan talaga ang j3 injection pump. They are wary whenever someone sends in one. One delicate piece of equipment.

Ano pa ang masasabi natin tungkol sa Sedona/Carnival? My ride is over 90% casa maintained. And if they can't keep it in tiptop, durable shape, e talagang walang kwenta ang makina na ito. No wonder when I discussed this with my uncle who used to import kia surplus, ang sabi niya ang mga carnival nila doon using this engine, naturally smoke belchers talaga. And I thought we could fix it with biodiesel, egr manifold cleaning, etc. But no, it still breaks down faster than other diesel engines I have experienced- 2C of the Tamaraw, 2L of the Revo, 4d56 of the mitsu line, 4ja1 of the isuzu line, Nissan and Mazda diesel engines, and even all those other crdi engines.

Mga pare, avoid the sedona and carnival using the J3 TDIC non CRDI engine. This is now my official stand. Its not durable, PERIOD.

[dexmabugat]

What ung makina ng local na Carnival 2000 LS model? When is the best time to replace the timing belt (kilometer reading to date is 63K). Timing belt and chain ba pinapalitan sa model na eto? How much aabutin and where pwede pagawa, ung reasonable ang price. I'm from Ortigas Extension, Pasig. Thanks for the info and advice...

[dexmabugat]

What ung makina ng local na Carnival 2000 LS model? When is the best time to replace the timing belt (kilometer reading to date is 63K). Timing belt and chain ba pinapalitan sa model na eto? How much aabutin and where pwede pagawa, ung reasonable ang price. I'm from Ortigas Extension, Pasig. Thanks for the info and advice...

[jabr]

What ung makina ng local na Carnival 2000 LS model? When is the best time to replace the timing belt (kilometer reading to date is 63K). Timing belt and chain ba pinapalitan sa model na eto? How much aabutin and where pwede pagawa, ung reasonable ang price. I'm from Ortigas Extension, Pasig. Thanks for the info and advice...

Dex,

According to the manual, the timing belt should be replaced at 90,000 km or 54 months (whichever comes first). It is about time that you should replace your timing belt. Any competent mechanic can do it or better yet, bring it to any KIA service centers (KIA Pasig or Signet motors at EDSA). Had my timing belt replaced at KIA Pasay last year and here are the breakdown of my expenses:

Belt Timing ---------------------- 5,700
T. Belt Idler lower ----------------1,700
Idler T. Belt Upper- -------------- 2,615
Touch Idler ----------------------1,100
Tensioner ------------------------3,600
Labor for replacement of T. Belt-- 4,400
=========
19,115


As a point of comparison the ff are the prices of the OEM products above at Goodgear:

Belt Timing -------------------- 3,700
T. Belt Idler Lower ------------- 690
Idler T.Belt -------------------- 1,100
Touch Idler ------------------- 1,050
Tensioner --------------------- 2,600
HTH.

[dexmabugat]

Thank you Jabr... i'll inquire sa kia pasig..

[dexmabugat]

Could anyone recommend a GOOD/ HONEST MECHANIC (ung may OK and malinis na talyer) who is KNOWLEDGABLE in Kia Carnival?

Preferrably from ORTIGAS AVE. EXT. (Pasig) coz i'm from that area also.

Hirap kasi sa casa maginquire and/or magpagawa... bukod sa mahal, d mo pa minsan alam and nakikita ung ginagawa/ pinapalitan. Kung anu anu pa minsan ieexplain....

THANK YOU very much to whoever can give such referrals. (Pls leave the number/ address/ name of the mechanic)

[dexmabugat]

jabr, what was your kilometer reading when u had ur timing belt replaced? I inquired kasi sa KIA over the phone thru a service consultant. Told them about the year/model of the Carnival and its present reading (which is at 63k km). I was told, according also to the manual which u mentioned, about the 90k km or 54month change. But he said I can hav it changed when it reaches 70k kms.

Is it the kilometer reading more important rather than the lenght of time used?

Thank you.

[jabr]

[QUOTE=dexmabugat;1004124]jabr, what was your kilometer reading when u had ur timing belt replaced?

53K ng napalitan yung timing belt ko, naputol na kasi eh. Kung pupunta ka sa goodgear, may mga free lancer na mekaniko sila doon na puedeng gumawa at magpalit ng timing belt mo. I think mga 2,500 to 3,000 ang singil nila.

[dexmabugat]

Thanks jabr... san ung goodgear na cnasabi mo? u have their number and any contact person dun para may makonsultahan nako dun.. thanks

[jabr]

dex:

Sa may Taft Ave., Pasay lang ang goodgear. Deretso mo lang ang edsa tapos kumanan ka sa Taft Ave., makikita mo na yun pagkalagpas lang ng caltex gas station. Tel. No. 8340954. Look for Noli para ma arrange mo na yung freelancer na mekaniko nila doon.

[mikey177]

jabr, what was your kilometer reading when u had ur timing belt replaced? ...

Is it the kilometer reading more important rather than the lenght of time used?...

Well, if the recommended kilometer reading comes before the recommended length of time, then I follow the former.

Wheels E. Rod also recommends changing the timing belt every 70,000-km, which is what I follow, instead of the 90,000-km interval in the manual. I've had my timing belt changed twice already. I'm due for my next change when my van hits 210,000-km, maybe later this year (nasa 179,000-km pa lang sya ngayon).

[guwardiya]

I bought my carnival '01 about 2 days before 'altec' made his post. Wish I had read or waited for him to post that statement. Anyway what's done is done so I guess I have to stick with my decision.

Right now it's having a 'maintenance work up' - if there's such a term. All that need to be replaced are being replaced. I just hope that after this maintenance run I wouldn't have any major problems. My mechanic sources some of the parts somewhere in the Binondo/Divisioria/Recto/Blumentritt area & they're a bit cheaper than the stores in Pasay or Banawe. However I had to source the shock absorbers (front & rear) from jcastillo (thanks again dude) since the Pasay/Banawe & other stores I mentioned didn't have them in stock (surprising).

I'm used to having my cars (I only maintain one vehicle at a time) repaired or maintained since I've never owned a brand new one (couldn't afford it), & I have to say that the carnival's front shocks are the most expensive. Wheel's at E. Rod sell them at 5,900 (left) & 6k++ (right). The other stores are much lower of course but still, it's too expensive. I hope they do last for at least 3 years.

The posts here helped me a lot in determining the 'diskarte' for the carnival's maintenance (may diskarte din kasi ang mekaniko na mali). Sana 'di kayo magsawa.

[benchph1]

guwardiya,

welcome to the carnival thread..just post your question and we'll try to provide answers as soon as we can. regarding the price of shock absorbers for a kia carnival, arguably it needs to be costly because in terms of size, it is huge. btw replaced four shocks of our carnival with KYB Excel-G's a few months ago.

funny reading a post like that from altec, considering he is one the "pioneer" posters here in the carnival thread..

you're not alone altec, as i have predicted, there's another problem with our carnival! remember we just spent 5k last week to have the power steering repaired? its the aircon this time. its totally not cooling at all. mahina na naman ang 5k dito. tsk tsk tsk...

[mikey177]

How will you know that it's time to replace the front shocks? Should they be replaced every x number of years, or only as needed?

I've only replaced the rear shocks on my '02 Sedona because they weren't doing their job anymore. Will the front shocks also manifest a similar behavior (e.g. pag nag-press down ka sa kotse, aakyat sya pero hindi firm ang pag-akyat nya), or will the coil springs up front mask the true condition of the shocks?

[altec]

guys, ang malas ko talaga. my unit is not yet out. Finally, the injection pump is working. According to the calibration shop, the casa put some seal ring somewhere that caused mistiming, so they had to set the timing again. The calibration shop discovered that the priming pump was also damaged, bomba kasi ng bomba hoping the noise will go away, ayun, nasira ulit. Installed a 2C toyota priming pump and it worked, though it was a temporary setup. Because of the super tagal na standby ang kotse, of course diskarga ang battery. Nagkamali yung calibration paggrounding, nasira ang electrical. So I had it brought back to the casa as my inhouse motorpool electrician (sa mga trucks ko), di niya maayos, pumuputok ang fuses. The casa told me they fear baka nasira ang alternator because of the wrong grounding. Sanamagan! Ano ba yan!

By the way, ang sabi pa sa akin, yung priming pump, meron nga daw every 20K daw pinapalitan. I told them, wow, grabe naman yan. My fuego is already over 10 years old and running over 140K mileage, and the priming pump is still ok. We have hiluxes of our office running over 250K, and the priming pumps are still ok. Bulok, bulok, bulok! Right now, kinabitan ko ng japan surplus na priming pump. But had the casa verify if ok yung kinabit, basta daw tatanggapin yung sedimentor sensor, pwede. Next to check, my electrical. (Fingers crossed) please, please, sana naman di nasira ang alternator ko, it is already replaced twice- mentioned it several pages back. Its an upgraded 100w alternator, bigger capacity, pero di madali hanapin. I hope I don't have to look for a replacement.

Malas ba ako o bulok lang talaga? right now, am piling up my mileage using my innova, kasi yung fuego ko, nasa talyer din. Nabangga yung harap, then after 1 week, nabangga ang likod. Di pwede gamitin kasi wasak ang isang headlight, tapos sira ang bumper at tail light. Ayon, general body repair din.