by "Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
Published 02/06/2017 at 01:27
by "Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
Published 02/06/2017 at 01:27
Tags: Kia Amanti
STARS: 2
For the first time ever within my ownership period the Amanti runs perfectly on 86 octane at 5,300 ft above sea level! When I first got it the Boaterface knocked with anything under 88 octane. Now, me being the premiere Korean car enthusiast that I am, I knew that something was seriously wrong because all Hyundai-Kia engines are developed to run regular in the US.
Well I’m pleased to report the powertrain is officially at full beans! Complete rev range, quick response, smooth idle, and top end stability all while being slightly more efficient in the city (so far), no loss of torque but a tiny loss of power approaching redline (but of course even a 10% power loss from only 200 hp is still 180 hp), and saving me $8 at the pump.
Now I feel comfortable changing the timing belt because I wasn’t going to bother unless I could get the engine right and knew I’d keep the car. With the powertrain and EGR all back to new car levels I can finally update the suspension and braking system.
“Has the Amanti been reliable?”
Quick Answer: NOW it has been, but it’s ALWAYS been dependable and trustworthy by my definition.
Long Answer: I dont believe in reliability when it’s a used car, only owner care. However, dependability and ease of ownership are things I do believe in! Simply put, this means that I can trust cars despite them calling for repairs and maintenance as long as it isn’t the same thing twice and they don’t become a burden or concern to me. Ol’ Chunky Brewster here has been 100% dependable despite some troubles.
***
On a slightly different note, buy whatever you want! Make time for your car and enjoy it while you have it, even the most reliable car in the world can be wrecked while parked. Sometimes the money saved buying used goes into getting the car back to 100%. Sometimes the money you would have spent modifying the car needs to go towards fixing a window regulator. I will always stand by taking care of your things being what promotes life in them. Some just require less attention, but doesn’t everything you chose and worked to own deserve all your attention anyways?
On that note, you will never convince me not to buy a Maserati, especially a Granturismo. I just wish I had a dealership around me so that I could at least get the bi-monthly recalls done...
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
02/06/2017 at 01:37, STARS: 0
Do you do something to it or did running higher grade gas just clean out carbon buildup?
"Kat Callahan" (kyosuke)
02/06/2017 at 01:49, STARS: 0
MORE ABQ BACKGROUNDS, PLEASE.
Love, a fellow Burquer.
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
02/06/2017 at 01:55, STARS: 2
The main culprit ended up being the exhaust gas recirculation because the metal ring somehow ending up inside the tube and choked it off which forced the valve to remain open. That took forever to figure out. I lucked out that a new mechanic at the dealership was from the Middle East and used to build Kias. I did change the ignition coils on one bank and ran full synthetic for two years. Once the engine responded the same with synthetic blend I figured it would be worth the shot.
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
02/06/2017 at 01:57, STARS: 1
Lol, I’ll find something good and dusty for ya!
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
02/06/2017 at 02:13, STARS: 0
Meanwhile in five-cylinder land the constant vibration just tells you that it’s running. Oh, and don’t you dare put anything less than 90 octane (runs fine on 89, knock on wood [not on the engine]).
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
02/06/2017 at 06:00, STARS: 0
An EGR valve is always open. They fail when they get gunked up and stuck closed. Synthetic blend oil would not affect knocking whatsoever. Knocking is from poor tuning. The ignition coils could definitely cause it.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
02/06/2017 at 06:01, STARS: 0
A higher octane level just means the gas is more resistant to knock.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
02/06/2017 at 06:03, STARS: 0
Yes, but usually gas stations put more additives in the higher octane gases.
"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
02/06/2017 at 07:13, STARS: 0
If it’s supposed to stay open then why would it close at all? Probably a dumb question, I’m not a mechanic or engineer or care to be either, but if something moves then I figure it’s supposed to move. But seriously, I don’t know, I just do what’s simple.
Switching to a better oil on an engine that was having issues with response and consistency made sense to me and worked so I give it credit. It wasn’t a knock fix but it made a world of difference along with that manual gate on the automatic which I thought I’d never use in my life.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
02/06/2017 at 07:44, STARS: 0
Sorry I had a complete brain fart and was thinking PCV valve. The EGR valve does open and close.
As far as the oil, if it works, it works.
"random001" (random001)
02/06/2017 at 08:21, STARS: 0
Heh. You said fart.