2007 Kia Sorento 3.8L timing chain fail at 85,000 miles

12/16/2015 = The LSx V8 swap is complete!! It has been for several months. I have some videos driving it and it starting and running. They are on my channel here... / @overrevvedracing
OLD = **An update on what has become of the Sorento** ~~ After changing the parts and driving for about 30 miles the engine imploded. #1 cylinder scattered and took a valve. After pricing a replacement 3.8L I deceided to go with a GM LSx 6.0L - Follow the progress here = lsxSorento
The story behind THIS video....
This is a video of our 2007 Kia Sorento. It had been making some noise for quite some time and on Sunday August 25th 2013 it started running horribly, it then made some god awful racket and died.
Mentor Kia in Mentor, Ohio, whom we bought the car from, told us every prior time we had it there that the noise was pertinent to the TSB for a "timing chain noise or excessive bearing clearance".
Now that it died they told us there is NO 100,000 mile warranty for US because we bought the car with 7K miles. It was a dealer demo car.
So now with ONLY 85k on it I have to fix it myself and foot the bill for their (Mentor Kia) failure.

[@Lexrockstheblock]

Sitting at 130k in my sorento and by the grace of God have had no issues or odd sounds yet and not seeing any shavings in the oil filter at changes. When I saw your video back around 108k miles I called the local dealership and had them price out the job to replace it. The biggest failure points seem to be this timing chain assembly, the drive shaft, and the alternator. The TCA job was qouted around 2,800$, but the tech quite literally said that "If you've been changing your oil every 5k miles and switched to full synthetic long-life once you went over 100k, you may be fine." - basically stating most of the blows he'd seen came from people neglecting the engine. Crossing my fingers on it, The vehicle has been treating me well.

[@srays107]

Kuddo's to you for taking the time to share this! I have been hearing the same annoying noise for about 3 yrs & after several trips to dealership they are basically saying the same. I first noticed it @ a drive through window where the sound bounces off the wall, knew I wasn't imagining it then. Taking in next week & having them watch this video in front of me so they can look for this, fix it and eat their words!! Will return with update, thanks again, VERY helpful!!

[@luisaguirre5659]

what was the outcome? you have many of us in suspense.....

[@FieroGTP]

luis aguirre sorry for the late response man. But after repairing it.... it lasted only 40 miles. Too much damage from the aluminum powder in the oil i think. I went with the only logical option. LSx engine swap. LoL

[@TWill16]

Yo man I'm from Akron. I moved out of state a few months ago. But I'm going to be doing this repair to my 06 Azera this summer. I'm going to drop the motor and trans and do everything while it's all out. Very descriptive man you helped me out a ton. I'm a heavy duty tech been in the field for 6 years. Very helpful.

[@FieroGTP]

Thanks, glad i could help. Hope you dont have the same tensioner failure that I did. I repaired everything and it ran for about 1 day... then it totally imploded. Not sure if there was just too much damage from all the powdered aluminum floating in the oil or what. I had valve and piston contact in #1 which caused the valve to break and drop into the cylinder. From there it totally destroyed the piston and drove to connecting rod straight up through the block. At that point I decided that rather then paying $4k for the used replacement engine that I would drop in a 6.0L LSx engine and matching 6L90e trans. You can check out that craziness here - facebook.com/lsxsorento

[@TWill16]

Craig Gibson Crap dude! I think mines is just maintenance related but that had to suck you fixing it and it blows up on you like that. Holy smokes Dr. Frankenstein over here! You've created a monster lol that's cool as hell dude.

[@JohnDove]

My 2006 Sedona has been rattling consistently for a couple of months now. This video pretty much confirms what I've been reading about it. I bought this van because I didn't want to work on stuff anymore. Jokes on me.

[@FieroGTP]

Yeah man. Same thing here. Although our dealer was useless. Kia cooperate DID tell us that if the service writer had made mention of us complaining about the noise in his write ups that they would have taken care of us. Even iut of warranty. So... that may help you out!

[@JohnDove]

Yeah, it does. Thanks!

[@JohnDove]

So I took my van apart today since it started running really rough and was clacking worse than normal. The damage from the timing chain is exactly the same as your is. With this repair plus the struts I had to do last week, I have over $700 in this stupid van in the last three weeks.

[@FieroGTP]

+John Dove WOW! That sucks! Hope you found and fixed the issue before something worse happened. I hope that yours stays together. After all the work of fixing it mine exploded!

[@JohnDove]

So far it's running good. I'm hoping it stays that way.

[@timstirling7756]

My 2008 Kia Rondo timing chain failed at 150,000km (93,205 miles). The dealership told me the engine was blown and offered me a rebuilt engine for $10,000. I refused, took the vehicle back and stripped the engine myself. The engine was not damaged other than the chain actually came off of the upper sprocket. I replaced the chain with a original Kia Chain for $100. This Rondo just hit 250,000kms and I had to change the chain again (making a lot of noise suddenly). Chain guides were in excellent condition and tensioners were working perfectly. Kia Chains are SUBSTANDARD in quality.

[@jeremiahstone5285]

I don't think it's so much the chain as the guides, the general design, there's quite a distance from crankshaft to the sprockets imo and I suspect the guides are being expected to do too much work. On most of these the tensioners deflate when it's off overnight and so those first few seconds of running the chain is being stressed and stretched a bit

[@OffGridInvestor]

Actually most double overhead cams don't have rockers. It looks like a bucket lifter type system. Cheap way of doing things. As for the plastic guide, they're KNOWN to be crap and would you believe I just watched another video where it had broken off the top one and thrown it up amongst the valves EXACTLY like yours has here.

[@chrisdonahue5309]

Thanks for this video. I just had an oil change on my 2008 Sedona yesterday, and they found metal shavings in the filter. I was told the motor is on it's last legs. The thing is, it runs great! No excessive noise or vibration. The metal shavings in the filter are the only indication that something's wrong. I was wondering if you had noticed metal shavings in your filter prior to doing this repair and finding the timing chain issue. My Sedona has 162,000 km on it (1000662 mi). Any advice you could give me as to how to proceed would be great. If there's no excessive noise, maybe I've caught this problem in it's infancy. Or maybe it's the other way around and it's too late! Thanks again.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Spun bearing.....

[@Workingcockers]

My 2006 Kia Sedona has almost 240,000 and I’ve noticed the timing chain rattle. At this point, I’m going to just drive it until it goes and then off to the junk yard.

[@timidater4803]

kia should have to fix these engines! They are just buying time till the engine blows than its on us!!!

[@FieroGTP]

Timidater Absolutely! They are hoping you get out of warranty before it blows. just like every manufacturer.

[@tajhealthnature8570]

Have a 2009..kia.. Sodona minivan...having the same problem... Oil lamp start..to came on... Then i start.. Eari g..noise.. Goin to check it out..hope fully i get lucky..just by replacing a timing chain..

[@jgs272881555]

my kid just got hers ran great week later the chain went out thanks for video

[@dionniejustforfun1104]

Hi!Craig Gibson, did you replace your missed up timing chain guide, I do have 2007 kia sorento, and looks like were the same problem noise is coming up from left side( passenger side) too.

[@TheGibsOfTheTube]

Sorry for the late reply. Just saw this, rarely use this KZbin account anymore. I did replace mine but it was too late. So much metal had gotten through everything that a few days after replacing everything my engine blew. It now has a V8 LSx swap. On my other youtube channel.. KZbin.com/OverRevvedRacing

[@FrancisyYagi]

when doing your timing, do you have to remove your oil pan?

[@windyskiles3113]

Can you change the lower thrust bearings in a 2007 Kia Sedona LX with a V6 without taking out the engine please let me know something I looked all over the internet I looked over like 3-4000 videos

[@Grcoon]

How long did it take you to do chains ? A shop told me I’m better off replacing motor

[@OffGridInvestor]

It's not an easy job. Expect 8 hours or something with a qualified mechanic. Maybe more. If another engine is cheap, it might be easier but I kinda doubt it. Trouble with these is the plastic chain guides go brittle and come to bits inside.

[@vanbruwaenej]

Any update after the repair? Did you pull the pan or just flush the oil a few times? I think the same thing just happened to the 3.8L in my Hyundai Entourage (FWD minivan w/ same engine).

[@FieroGTP]

I did flush the oil. However the aluminum powder from everything shaving apart mixed with the oil enough that it wrecked the bearings and literally 2 days later the engine grenaded. #1 pison in pieces. I am swapping in a 6.0L GM V8. (Seriously) If you need parts i would happily sell you all the BRAND NEW timing parts from my 3.8L... New engine cover, chains, tensioners, guides, gears.

[@mrsantosjon]

Craig Gibson whuut your putting 6.0 in the Sorrento lol put a vid

[@FieroGTP]

Jonathan Santos Yeah, 2009 Silverado 6.0L Ly6. Swap thread TONS of pics of the grenaded Kia engine too..... ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1694167-2007-kia-sorento-6-0l-ly6-vortec.html

[@kens97sto171]

Hi, I'm going to be doing this job next weekend. My 07 has 124k on it. And is only slightly rattling occasionally. Are there any tips or trick that can help with the job. I'm very mechanically capable. But its often the small things that can make a job go smoothly or be a pain in the rear. Thanks.

[@FieroGTP]

Its not very tough... The crank pulley bolt is incredibly hard to remove. I had to crank the engine over with a socket and a breaker bar that was sitting on top the frame rail. I unfortunately found that out too late and everything was apart. That required me to reconnect the engine harness. Break the pulley bolt loose first. The socket/breaker with bar on TOP of the DRIVERS side fame rail works best. Its tightened to like 250 ft/lbs. Also, just make sure you get ALL the water pump bolts. There are a few sneaky ones underneath and on side. You also HAVE to pull the oil pan to get the cover off the oil pump pulley. The oil pump chain traps the other 2 chains behind so it has to come off. Good chains have 3 RED chain sides on them, they mark the locations of the timing marks. Once you rotate the engine to check timing the red marks will NEVER line up again. However the timing marks on cams and crank will as they should. If you didnt buy your parts let me know... I have BRAND NEW chains, gears, guides, updated tensioners, etc. I would sell you them all CHEAP! They cost me a LOT of money and are of no use to me now that it went boom.

[@dvg4712]

Craig Gibson Did you sell these parts yet ?

[@FieroGTP]

+Dylan VG sorry for the late reply man. I never get updates when someone comments on my videos. the only part i still have been holding on to is the timing cover. it was freaking expensive, brand new from the dealer.

[@sangkim1035]

Was it just matter of replacing the chain tensioner? My 2006 Kia Sedona with the same engine started to make rattling noise at start around 70K. From sound of it, timing chain is slapping around at cold start. (It does not happen when engine is hot). What would you recommend that I replace when I am in there?

[@sangkim1035]

Kia Sedona with 80K miles, the same 3.8L VQ engine. Just finished TSB ENG028 - took me 3 weekends. What I found was the back of the first tensioner has a metal tube that connects to 2nd tensioner to circulate oil - which was failing. The tube either gets blocked or oil pressure may not be strong enough the lubricate the second tensioner. Whatever the case, the 2nd tensioner was not pushing the guide rail so I replace them both as recommended by TSB ENG028. I still hear some chain slapping at cold start, but not as long as before.

[@notsure3640]

I suspect my case was due to loss of oil pressure. Seems to me if you run these engines at a high rmp for extended periods of time the oil doesn't return to the oil pan fast enough causing a loss of oil pressure and no tension on the chain.

[@moparmatt5896]

Hey craig im working on a sedona with the same issue ive found the tensioner on rear no.1 cylinder bank doesnt pressurize quick enough on start up makes a bad rattle for few seconds after the engine starts . the reason im posting is ive had a real hard time getting anything from kia about these issues. Well this engine in particular hasnt been doing this long enough to damage the the cover or any of the guides. As i was hunting for any tsb related to this problem i only found a breif mention of an upgraded tensioner set .apparently alldata does not have the info about it . so here i am my timing marks are good my chain and guides are ok im looking at replacing the tensioner but now im thinking this might not be the fix for this after watching your video now im thinking oil pressure .you mentioned bearing clearance .did this come from kia? Post or mail me what you think should we go oil pump if theres a better one? Also i did find another bulletin on the oil filter saying aftermarket brands restricting oil flow too much sounds like a compound problem let me know what you think and if youve had success with your adventure thanks. Mopar matt

[@OffGridInvestor]

Possibly cylinder slap like marginal mechanic showed on his channel? I may have replied to you before.

[@Grcoon]

Mine has 87k miles it’s also a 2007 and today it died and couldn’t get started check engine light blinking

[@marks79luv]

my sisters sedona doin the same thing rattles then stops after starting, how much was the timing chain kit?

[@FieroGTP]

sorry for the terribly late reply. unfortunately at the time i did this no one had a complete timing system kit. i had to put it together myself. i ordered most of it from RockAuto.com and a few parts they didn't have from the dealer... for example the timing cover (mine got sawn apart my the chains) and the lower tensioner and idler arms for the oil pump chain.

[@ujjc001]

How on earth did you get the chain cover off? I'm stuck at this point...

[@ujjc001]

+Craig Gibson I had to use my phone camera and flash to record a video to show the side of the cover to find one stray bolt and man, one bolt sure holds everything on tight! I'm glad I didn't break or crack anything. I'm several thousands of miles since and no issues! I'm glad I didn't read about your implosion before I started :)

[@FieroGTP]

+ujjc001 LOL! As long as you didn't run it too long and have damage as bad as mine you should be ok. I'm just glad this video has helped a lot of people! I think you should have bailed on the repair and gone with an LSx swap like I did.. haha! As for the timing cover I actually have a brand new one from the dealer. It was EXPENSIVE... Bought it because mine was damaged from the chains. They actually sawed off the piece under the crank seal gasket that catches and holds oil for the chains.

[@cruzsalas2449]

whats the valve clearance on those

[@FieroGTP]

im not honestly sure. when i checked my timing after the chain slipped it was only off by 1 tooth on the passenger side. it ran after putting a brand new timing system in it BUT not for long. the aluminum that was in the oil had already done too much catastrophic damage to the engine.

[@saundracanada3454]

How u take door off

[@FieroGTP]

+Saundra Canada What door are you talking about? I did not take any doors off

[@tajhealthnature8570]

Did you fix it..

[@OverRevvedRacing]

I did but the damage was already far too great internally and it took only 10 miles before it threw a rod. Check out the video description to see a link to my other KZbin page. Where I pulled the v6 and swapped in a 6.0L V8 LSx instead

[@tajhealthnature8570]

OverRevvedRacing thanks

[@OverRevvedRacing]

No problem, actually I just realized i replied to you VIA my other channel... haha

[@tajhealthnature8570]

OverRevvedRacing i have a 2009..kia sedona... With..160k miles on it.. When a was driving..the oil..sensor came.on..so i replace it...then... I change the oil.. Same problem..then engine start noking..so i chang the oil pump.. After..that..same problem..so now i wondering..if i have same problem as you... Because i was thinking to buy a engine.... Do you think i should check the timing chain..first

[@saundracanada3454]

Behind the driver seat the piece to open door came lose and husband trying take it lose to fix it

[@stephenstaresina965]

starting to pull mine apart but need diagram on how to replace chains!!! help???