| KIA CARNIVAL LS 1999:
COOLING SYSTEM FAULT
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| 29 JUN 2009 |
COOLING SYSTEM |
*ADVICE* |
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| WITH ALL ITS FAULTS IT STILL REMAINS A BARGAIN. |
"The V6 engine used in the Kia Carnival is common to a number of other vehicles where the overheating problem does not occur. One very likely problem in all modern vehicles is the displacement system that allows non-technical persons to check the cooling system water level from a plastic container rather than risk serious burns by removing the radiator cap. The system allows water, expanding with heat, to be saved to the plastic reservoir and returned to the radiator as the temperature and volume decreases in the radiator. This system provides a safe alternative for the average vehicle user.
The problem is that to work there must be an air-tight seal from the radiator to the plastic reservoir. If due to a worn connecting hose, damaged reservoir, wrong or faulty radiator cap, water is not returned to the radiator then eventually the radiator will run out of water, the engine will overheat and the head gasket will fail.
I bought a Kia Carnival for my daughter and experienced that exact fault.
Danger, the only time you should check your radiator water level is when the engine is totally cold. The best time is in the morning. With over 40 years experience in the motor trade primarily building performance engines I have seen this problem occur many many times.
By the way, it seems that Kia entered the people mover business by building, certainly the early Carnival, from parts sourced from other manufacturers around the world. The result being a cost effective vehicle for not much money. Not everything then works in concert as we might like but, having bought my daughter’s car from an auction in Melbourne, it managed 726 kilometers from 1 tank on its way to Brisbane. Not bad for something weighing 1.8 tonne.
It now has a DVD/CD/TV with a 10 inch monitor. The best accessory ever invented if you take a bunch of kids on any kind of trip.
Other problems to investigate are front end alignment, seized handbrake cables and door sliders. With all its faults it still remains a bargain. "
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POSTED
BY: TONY CUNNINGHAM
- BRISBANE - QLD - AUS 29 JUN 2009
PROVIDE
FEEDBACK
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========== REPLY ==========
I'm surprised to hear that you had sufficient confidence in your 1999 Kia Carnival to drive it from Melbourne to Brisbane. Many others attempting to drive such distances never made it.
Your comments on the cooling system may confuse some unfortunate owners of Kia Carnivals. Yes, we all accept that when the temperature of coolant increases there will be a commensurate increase in volume which in turn will be released under pressure into the radiator neck to the overflow hose and into the coolant reservoir bottle. This procedure will reverse as the coolant cools down and coolant will be returned to the radiator.
We also acknowledge that the cooling system is checked by removal of the radiator cap when the engine is cold.
Failure of coolant to return to the radiator can be readily observed by the collapse of the major coolant/radiator hoses which is quite distinct. Additionally, low coolant levels will register as elevated temperature on the temperature gauge which on a KV6 Kia engine means stop immediately.
It is most unusual for the process of overflow or return of coolant to the radiator be impeded in a regularly serviced engine unless some type of 'stop leak' additive has been added to the coolant. These additives can interfere with the operation of the radiator cap and prevent coolant returning from the overflow bottle to the radiator.
Have you considered that you could well be a victim of a 'quick fix' solution, albeit temporary when you purchased the vehicle at auction. A number of sealant compounds are readily available to cover up the well known engine failure of oil entering the coolant or coolant entering the cylinders at the head gasket interface.
Good luck with your new/reconditioned engine.
POSTED BY: KERRY TUNBRIDGE - SYDNEY - NSW - AUS 30 JUN 2009
========== REPLY ==========
How wrong can people be! Ok so you’ve built some engines. Do a bit more research and you will find that these engines fail in everything they have been put in. It’s simple, the cylinder sleeves move, they don’t blow head gaskets, the liners move and crack. Simulating a blown gasket, but your an expert, you already know that. Good luck with your daughter’s car, you’re going to need it.
POSTED BY: STEVE - AUS 2 JUL 2009
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Dear Kerry,
I have a document you have written explaining why the Carnival engines fail (forwarded by Dale Morris). I plan to take Kia to VCAT for compensation for my Carnival (which is sitting in the garage leaking oil) and would like to include your document in my file of supporting documents. Would you mind contacting me so I can provide some information about your qualifications and background to back up your document?
Thank you
POSTED BY: AMANDA - MELBOURNE, VIC - AUS 19 SEP 2009 |
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