The Kia Sedona/Carnival Thread [ARCHIVE]

[ecport]

Hello Mike G,

It is amusing to read your thread and how you take care of your Sedona. That's how I was when I purchased my Carnival in 2001. Every 5K, I religiously take it to Wheels to be serviced. Sometimes even before the scheduled 5K, just to be sure. I noticed too that they replaced the belts very often giving the excuse that there were cracks on it. Five years ago, I dared not take my Carnival to any corner mechanic or garage thinking that casa knows best. Yup, these casas know best to squeeze you out of your hard earned money! I am not saying all casas are like that but good and honest mechanics are not only in the casa. There is no mystery in the Carnival or Sedona that other mechanics cannot fix. The Carnival does not
contain technology so difficult that experienced mechanics won't be able to figure out.

I replaced my front shocks after about 30K Kms. My carnival is running at 65K Kms, now and I have seen no need to change the rear shocks, yet.
Check your aircon belts for cracks or physical wear and tear. If in doubt get a second opinion. Don't just let the casa change whatever they think needs to be changed. These casa mechanics get a commission from every part purchased. I have received better service from other mechanics, just exert a little extra effort to figure out what they are doing.

For electrical repairs, I get good service from the shop along 15th Avenue, Cubao; for suspension, alignment, brakes, change oil, etc. I receive honest service from Barron's tire and repair shop at the corner of Quezon Avenue (near the Wheeler's Club office). I stay away from Wheels along E. Rodriguez or Kia Delta motors in Cubao. Very recently I went to Kia Motors along Quezon Blvd (near Banawe) since I seem to recall reading good things about them. The manager or supervisor quickly offered me a service package to replace my fuel and oil filter, oil change, transmission oil, and other bundled services. I got turned off and left since he seemed to be more interested in pushing the services than understanding what I needed fixed. Eventually, I had an oil change in a regular Servitek then had the axle boots and brake pads repaced at Barron's. The mechanics even tightened some screws and hoses and gave me advise on how to spot potential oil leaks. What I always insist on is to use original parts as much as possible.

What have I learned after owning a Carnival these past 6 years?
1. The Carnival seems to require more service than other Japanese cars
I have owned.
2. Carnival parts are not cheap
3. Casas can be greedy especially if you let them
4. The best and most knowledgeable mechanics are not in the Casas, get
a second opinion.
5. This will be my last Korean car, if I can avoid it. Maybe a Starex is acceptable.

Don't get me wrong, my wife and kids like our Carnival. Especially my wife, who drives it everyday. She likes the space, car like suspension and engine power. Great for long rides. I do all the maintenance.

The black smoke and carbon clean procedure you undertake is not
normal. You need to have this fixed. Kia Motors may not be the best place to have it repaired, but do not accept the black smoke and think this is normal. I have not had my Kia Carnival carbon cleaned this past 2 years and it passes the emission test and do not have notieceable smoke. Have the timing chain or belt inspected as I had trouble with it before. Black smoke is a sign of poor combustion, delivering poor power and strains the engine. I hope this helps.

[mikey177]

Mike G:::

Welcome to the forum.

When my 2002 Sedona was still within warranty, I regularly had it serviced at Wheels E. Rod. Hindi naman sila gahaman sa pag-push ng unneeded repairs sa mga customer dati, pero 2004 pa ako huling nagpa-service sa kanila kaya baka nag-change sila for the worse. Oh yes, there was this one time they recommended I have my entire turbohcarger assembly replaced because I complained of a whining sound coming from the engine at high speeds --it turns out one of the hoses leading to the turbo was just loose. Buti na lang nagpa-second opinion ako.

Anyway, I'll second most of what ecport said. My Sedona is now nearing 155,000 km, and I just take it to my trusted mechanic for the regular 5,000 km change oil and clean/replace air filter. Other items such as fuel filter and belts are replaced based on the recommended intervals in the owner's manual.

My ride is a manual so I don't experience the black smoke.

Anong part ba yung wheel cap? Hindi ko pa yata nadaanan yung item na yan sa lahat ng beses na nagpa-PMS ako sa iba't-ibang casa.

I only had my rear shocks replaced once, at around 100,000 km. Yung front shocks ko, original pa rin. Dapat siguro papalitan ko na pag nakaluwas ako ng Metro Manila --mahal kasi piyesa ng Sedona dito sa probinsya.

My experience with Kia Quezon Ave (the one near Banawe) has also been mixed, and I cannot recommend any casa to you that has given me consistently good service. I guess it's a matter of you also knowing the ins and outs of your vehicle so that when the service adviser recommends a course of action, you'll know if he's just pulling your leg or if the repair is really needed. Good luck.

[benchph1]

1. i replaced the aircon and alternator belt once before (i think at 20t km)...and pinapapalitan nanaman...is this normal? They also wanted me to replace my back shocks (at 20t km)which i think are still ok.

- that is not normal. unless the belt is already cracked and ready to rip apart, then go ahead and have them replaced. inspect your shocks, look for signs of leak. if you see a leak then i think its really time for them to be replaced.

ncidentally i also had my rear shocks replaced not at the casa. but at rapide. costs 2.9k per piece, i know the markup is a bit high, its bcoz i dont have time to trek to banawe and wait for them to be installed.

im just wondering why it needed to be replaced again after i changed them just 2 years ago? the receipt for my rear shocks says 2005. and it only costs 2k per piece at your friendly auto supply. that is the true price. anyway, we only use the van 3 times a week, max. mostly commute to office as a coding car, then occasional travel at laguna with 9 people plus luggage. is the premature wear on my rear shocks caused by overloading? coz i know the design of the van is only for 7 people.

2. every 5t they replace my wheelcaps..is this normal?

-do you mean hubcaps? that is also not normal

3. every 5t i let fix the black smoke which they charge P900 i think but after a week, the black smoke is back again...is this normal?

- if you back read on the thread, there was a discussion here that pointed out i think the egr valve coming from the turbine assembly that is ported directly through the intake manifold, which leaves a deposit of "gunk" thereby causing the black smoke. the agreed way of eliminating is by installing an oil catch can. or, have the exhaust pipe cleaned regularly. just like what you do.

4. the LCD TV malfuncions easily and is repaired every 5t, just don't know what it will take for them to fix it properly...

- find out the name and contact details of their sub contractor for their in car entertainment system. if your system encounters another problem, you want have to go to casa to have it fixed. plus i think the charge would be cheaper.

5. for those people bringing their sedona's to this branch, do you guys experience the same thing...being tolds that you have a lot of parts to replace?

- i've brought our carnival to delta motors marikina, Kia Quezon Ave, and to Signet Motors Edsa. None so far have recommended so much parts to replaced like what you encountered. anyway, i dont bring our unit to casas every 5k to have it serviced, for regular change oil, i just buy parts outside then have them done in a gas station. for underchassis, i either shop for parts, install at gas station or have it done by rapide. for any unusual problems i hear or feel, thats the time i bring it to the casa.

6. what is the best kia branch in terms of service?

- try out Signet Motors Edsa, look for chris.

7. has anybody tried kia near tendesitas branch?

- as far as i know, showroom palang ito. wala pang service center. i maybe wrong. ill double check.

[ten45]

hello peeps,

first time to post. a proud owner of carnival LS but registered just today. have been reading this thread for a while now. ang habaaaaa.... but very informative. this is where i got info on where to buy that left door handle . this car is very dependable with very good performance. had it for ~ 6 years with no breakdown. well except for dead battery and flat tires. i must say that this is one of those unappreciated car by others. good to know there is a group who loved it! .

[mikey177]

Welcome to the forum, ten45.

The Carnival/Sedona is really great, although I really wish Kia would bring in the 2006 model already. My Sedona RS will turn five in June and it has already logged 154,000 km, and we appreciate this minivan very much

[ferdine]

Welcome to the forum, ten45.

The Carnival/Sedona is really great, although I really wish Kia would ring in the 2006 model already. My Sedona RS will turn five in June and it has already logged 154,000 km, and we appreciate this minivan very much

Marami nang nag-antay nang latest model. The KIA sedona(carnival)/Hyundai entourage has been adjudged lately by motorweek as the best minivan for the year. Mag-ingat lang ang Columbian dahil sa sobrang delay nila sa bagong GC baka maunahan pa sila ng Hyundai at dadalhin nila dito ang Entourage -one of the cars in the Chicago Auto Show na maraming nagtatanong. See here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/08/h...ago-auto-show/

[ericmm]

It is matte gray not shiny/chrome-like.
The Blue emblem in the middle is Black with the word KIA.



Hope someone can me in looking for the cap above.

Thanks!

Hi Jordan,
Any luck in finding the cap you are looking for? I am also looking for a similar cap. My three caps were busted by KIA Marikina when they checked my brakes.

Mikey177,
Any luck finding one where you at?

TIA

[Mike G]

Hi Guys!..thanks for the feedback..very informative indeed...btw, the wheelcaps are small black round rubbers found inside the brake system of the rear wheels..they say "tumatagas brake fluid ko dun" so i have to replace it.

Another request if i may...where can i find a replacement for the bolt/nut/lock (dont know what its called ) for the one that tightens the spare tire..coz mine got busted when i overtightened it...or where can i have it fixed ..aside ofcourse from the casa...thanks again for the generous help and insights

[benchph1]

Hirap pala maghanap ng center cap ng OE wheels ng carnival. taga sa banawe. 750 daw each, eh sa casa 600 lang kaso nga lang order basis.

meron kayong alam na binibilihan aside from casa? nagtanong na ako sa fronte & lourdes auto supply sa banawe, wala daw.

**************************
Just realized, out of spec na all four dunlop rv501's ko, hindi pudpod pero oblong! at first ayokong maniwala sa rapide, then pinakita sakin inikot isa isa aba at may flat spots na nga. tsk tsk tsk....

imported kasi afaik ang dunlop tires so, not designed for tropical climate. im going to try goodyears.

*****************************

MikeG,

Anung itsura nung cap na yan? 60,000 kms na kasi carnival namin hindi ko pa napapalitan iyon.

[ericmm]

Guys,

I just bought an AC filter doon sa harap kase mahina na buga. I plan to do it myself. Anybody here who have DIY tips on this? Suggestions and experience are most welcome.

TIA.