Kia Carnival Questions & Answers (page 2 of 3)

Hi ato. I cannot help you here. For a start my Carnival is the 2015 model which in design and mechanics a lot different to your model. I suggest you talk to mechanics about this problem and get expert advice.

Yes as long as it is a Grand Carnival you should be ok. The Kia carnival with 2.7L engine is the one to stick clear of, otherwise the 2010 model you mentioned should be ok.

I think as well as that they need to separate the different models and reviews because the current Carnival's are nothing like the older models with the same name

Correct,The new Carnival resembles a european car with great power and luxury and is nothing like the old carnival..

To my knowledge the Kia motors from 1999 -2003 has difficulties. But mechanics are weary of the older kia. We think the 05 is ok but we aren’t mechanics and don’t have experience with an 05 model ourselves. We had a 2013 and now 2017 model.

You be best to ask a mechanic I have no idea mine is a 2017 model

we have the same problem picked up one pretty cheap we were told it was the stem seals

Hey Dave, did you get to the bottom of the problem? I missed 30k service on mine and the exact same symptoms happening. Kia day it needs a new engine! What have you done to fix yours?

Yes the answer is to give the engine a flush with a bit of diesel added with engine flush

In relation to GORDON's question "I have a 2003 Carnival it has the v6 engine with quad cam is this the rover engine that has all the problems?". I have never owned a carnival, I have only owned a grand carnival which was made in 2005 and the all new carnival. I believe the original carnivals had faults which were recalled by KIA to fix. You should contact KIA and ask for the best solution. Stretch.

Yes it is.
This engine was the 1960's design with the steel barrel liners that "moved" and caused the engine to self destruct. There are examples around that keep on going....these have been driven "carefully" for most of their lives. The car was not designed to beat anything off at traffic lights, nor accelerate up hills. It's a very sedate people mover, I mean the specs would indicate that a.2.5L lugging almost two tonne of Korean metal and plastic would struggle to see off a Datsun 120Y.

Takes about 3 hours of contortion.....but can be done!...I did mine...twice!
The front 3 are easy, but the rear 3 are jammed up against the firewall, and will require the removal of the plenum chamber (intake manifold thingy), throttle cable, and a host of hoses. Removal of the spark plug leads may result in some damage to them....(I had to replace mine), and you'll need a good socket set with elbows and extensions, the rest is pure willpower and bloodimindedness....check youtube for some examples! They reckon you need to release the engine mounts, and drop the motor a few inches, but I didn't....maybe why I damaged the HT leads!

Sorry to say it's more than likely the big end bearing wearing out. It's a known fault with this engine.

Don't know about ticking but check air filter to inlet manifold plastic connection unit is not cracked and sucking air. Can affect oxygen sensors readings.

I am hoping that you did not pay for this car! They are a heap of rubbish. Bought one in April 2016. July, the engine blew. Replacement engine cost $3700. Labour, $2800.00. Coolant and oil leaks have persisted. New radiator cost $520. Coolant housing $542. Oil leak still going. Now timing has to be changed! I am very upset.

Mate, take it to the shop immediately is my advice.

I had this on the earlier generation .. the Carnival ... it was meant to be remedied in later models, but maybe not (as KIA are known to lie and conceal defects in their products).

For me, that knocking started, and over a period of maybe a week or two the engine basically caught fire (I kept putting it off, because with a young family I just couldn't afford the sting of a repair)

If you check the KIA Carnival history online, look at the wiki and a lot of the consumer complaints, there was even a threat of a class action, because the mongrels knew the car was defective and had a massively higher-than-normal engine rate failure .. but did nothing to warn, help or compensate affected consumers. (In fact lied about it)

In any case - have direct experience .. that knocking may very well end up being fatal for the car, get it looked at right away.

Hi Chanel. Yes you can. I added a reversing camera to mine when I upgraded the stereo.

Awesome thanks

Mine is a 2005 model. I believe the ones before mine were all bad as well.

Stay away from any carnival built before 2007

that is cheap but they have problems with motors that can end up costing over $8000 not including labor and no gurantee that it will last.

KIA would not fix it nor would the dealership where we bought it from. Neither wanted anything to do with it and would not show any 'goodwill' as they called it. We couldn't afford to fix it. They say it was only the Carnival that had the problems and they fixed this when they upgraded the engines in the Grand Carnivals but I will personally never trust the car. It has left such a bad taste in my mouth after they washed their hands of the problem. I could never recommend to anyone to get a Carnival after what happened to us, because from what I have read it is quite a common occurrence. Hope that helps.