Oil starvation

"7:07" (fanbrain001) 07/31/2015 at 16:59 • Filed to: None

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Just got back from the dealer. They say the engine in the minivan is being starved of oil. What can I do?

We paid cash for a 2006 Kia Sedona in February this year fully expecting it to last more than 6 months before needing expensive repairs. About 6 weeks ago the timing chain tensioner started chattering at startup, the noise only lasting 3-4 seconds before building enough oil pressure and quieting up.

I took it to the dealer expecting to replace the tensioner and be sent on my way. They got as far as removing both valve cover gaskets before discovering burnt oil on the valve cover and a lack of oil coating all the shiny whirly bits. They suspect oil starvation.

Now that I have a ticking time bomb, what can I do for a month or two until I can afford to buy something else? Oil change with fully synthetic oil? Beeswax? Pomeade?

Brian, The Life of > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 17:06

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New oil pump? Is it throwing a code for oil pressure?

E92M3 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 17:06

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Zmax!

Just kidding. Might try dropping 1 weight in oil so it will pump a little faster. Do you think it’s a problem with the pump? Or the oil passages being clogged?

Brian, The Life of > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 17:08

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Found something that may be relevant info:

http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/227…

promoted by the color red > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 17:13

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How’s your oil levels? I’d just throw in another quart during changes.

jkm7680 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 17:20

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Sell?

7:07 > Brian, The Life of 07/31/2015 at 17:53

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No codes or indication of low pressure.

7:07 > promoted by the color red 07/31/2015 at 17:53

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Oil is slightly above the full mark at present.

7:07 > E92M3 07/31/2015 at 17:55

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I thought maybe it was clogged passages due to the timing chain guides disintegrating, but they are intact. No sludge under the valve covers either.

Brian, The Life of > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 17:56

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Check out that link I included on my other reply. That sounds a lot like what you’re seeing.

7:07 > Brian, The Life of 07/31/2015 at 17:56

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I’ll look into it. Thanks for the link.

7:07 > Brian, The Life of 07/31/2015 at 18:02

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Scary how close that story is to mine.

Since the van is due for an oil change, I’ll look for metal shavings and hope it all stays together until I can buy something else. THANKS PREVIOUS OWNERS

E92M3 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 18:41

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Why not replace the oil pump then? Might quiet things down once everything is getting proper lubrication. You’d be surprised how long an engine can last after accelerated top end wear.

Nibby > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 18:48

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Replace the oil with blinker fluid.

Amoore100 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 18:51

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Our Ody had oil starvation issues as well, though it was our fault since we didn’t keep it filled and assumed that enough oil had been put in at the oil change. Anyways, the engine clattered away for another nine months before my dad took it into the shop again, and now our Ody runs a new (well, used...) J35 V6...

samssun > E92M3 07/31/2015 at 18:57

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Can oil pumps even die? They’re pretty basic. I’d think the pickup or junked up passages might be more likely candidates.

7:07 > jkm7680 07/31/2015 at 19:08

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you mean sale

samssun > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 19:12

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Try one of those gallon engine flush things; they’re basically just really light weight oil that you idle with to clear out gunked up passages. They’re not meant to have engine load but if you let it run a while and then drain the oil while it’s hot (leave the pan under it for an hour or so if you have the time just to let every bit possible drain from the head), you might see an improvement.

jkm7680 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 19:20

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No, I don’t want that thing. I mean “sell” as in sell the car.

7:07 > jkm7680 07/31/2015 at 19:34

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i sale the car to you

7:07 > jkm7680 07/31/2015 at 19:34

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you take

want hotdog?

jkm7680 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 19:34

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You part car out and make lots of monies

7:07 > Nibby 07/31/2015 at 19:35

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I have some Colon Blow on order.

jkm7680 > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 19:40

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E92M3 > samssun 07/31/2015 at 19:48

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They can fail completely, happens all the time. They usually wear and start providing too low of pressure at startup first, until the oil gets thinner with temperature. A lot of people will see the oil light on the first 20 secs after starting the car, then it goes out and they assume there’s no real problem.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 22:24

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So it HAS sufficient oil but it’s just not getting where it needs to go?

7:07 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 07/31/2015 at 22:56

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Yes. In fact, it’s currently overfull by about .5qt

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 7:07 07/31/2015 at 23:08

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I saw you said no codes are being thrown... but if they’ve got the front all apart for the timing chain tensioners, maybe take a shot in the dark and replace the oil pump anyway?

See if any of your experiences matches this testimonial of a 2006 Sedona engine failure:

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Sedona/200…

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > 7:07 08/01/2015 at 02:33

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I might try synthetic in the meantime. Do you have the ability to drop the pan and look inside for gunk or a blocked oil screen? There are also ways on some cars to add an additional oil pressure gauge to get an independent number to see if the sensor and/or pump is bad.

http://www.kia-forums.com/2003-2010-sore…

Just throwing thoughts out.

Future next gen S2000 owner > 7:07 05/02/2016 at 13:10

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Sell. Get most of you money back. Buy something else.