Engine Clutch Actuator fluid (DOT 3) inspect/clean/reload at 5800 miles KIA Niro Plugin Maitenance

[@hotprop92]

Nice to see your video on this problematic portion of the Niro. I've used an EZ VAC which has a small reservoir that the fluid falls into so there's no running back down into the reservoir. My Niro also had a white chalky residue on the inside of the reservoir which I cleaned after removing it from the car. The size of the tubing I used with the vac pump fits perfectly inside the fluid feed tube so it allowed me to go one step further. I didn't want to allow air to infiltrate into the clutch throwout bearing actuator which is down attached to the casing so I measured down to just to the top of actuator pump and made a mark on the tube. It wasn't much but it pulled another shot glass of hazy fluid. The shifting seemed to go smoother after the change. The Niro has three clutches. The clutch fluid reservoir feeds the throwout bearing for the engine clutch which is dry. The other two are wet and select and preselect gear changes in the transmission. They are electrically activated servo motors while the eng clutch has a bellows that expands with the injection of additional fluid and forces open the dry eng drive clutch.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Thanks for the great info. I'll be keeping an eye on this fluid.

[@drnda2007]

Just got 1400 pages service manual (as recommended, including electrical diagrams-now they reduced price) and it looks very good at first glance. Checked what they say for this 'engine clutch' fluid. I don't see it is required to change so often but guess it will not hurt. Manual suggests using DOT4 not DOT3. I cannot be sure but manual says after fluid is drained and replaced 'perform engine clutch learning procedure' . 'Residual air in the engine clutch hydraulic line is removed during the engine clutch learning. I am not what 'learning' is in question, maybe just wrong terminology. Since I don't know exactly what is wrong or right or what is better I can assume that if fluid is not completelly drained then there will not be residual air'. If some used and new fluid are mixed maybe that is not the problem (same when we change oil, some of used oil will be in the engine and mixed with fresh one). I also don't know if white residue in resorvoir is problem or not and why it is formed? I don't think it is formed by any fine grinding in the system, probalby something that is happening to brake fluid during operation since this fluid is suseptable to moisture.

[@chrisi1920]

I checked the clutch actuator reservoir of my '24 Niro with just over 500 miles and the fluid looked about the same as yours, slightly amber, somewhat cloudy. I didn't remove the fluid so don't know if there is any sediment at the bottom. I think replacing the fluid is a good idea so I'll likely do the same within the next few thousand miles. It will be interesting to see if the sediment reoccurs or if it some contaminant within the system that needed to be flushed out. Brake fluid can damage painted surfaces so I hope you cleaned up any spillage. Regarding the brake fluid draining back down the tube, I suggest trying to heat a section of the tube with a flame while stretching the tube. The tube will contract in the stretched area reducing the diameter and when it cools just snip the tapered section at the desired diameter. The reduced tubing size might minimize the spillage. Also, you could try dropping a ball bearing in the tube as a check valve. Please let us know when you get the scanner working. I already have a problem with the electronic parking brake in my car and hope to troubleshoot the issue. A yesterday the parking brake took a bit of extra time to disengage, made a raspy whirling sound and now the parking brake light flashes and the EPB light stays on.The smart cruise control is also disabled. The car runs fine and the parking brake disengages (it rolls easily in neutral) also the brake resets when I park but the dash indicator light continues to flash when the carr is running. Of course, this should be covered under the warrantee but I like to know exactly what's going on with my vehicles. BTW, can you tell me where you access the OBD connection? Thank you!

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Thanks for the update on your car, thoughtful technical comments have been a huge learning benefit to starting this little channel. I was just reading about the EPB actuators. There is one on each break caliper that can adjust the amount of holding pressure on the rotor depending on angle we park at (how steep). I believe from the drawings I see that Integrated Electronic Booster (IEB) has a motor and 'ball screw' (do quick image search on 'ball screw' it will make sense) that applies hydraulic pressure to each of the actuators and I wonder if the 'whirling' sound was the ball screw and motor retracting and relieving hydraulic pressure but the sensors on the actuators never reset which has sent error codes to some of the other systems like cruise control? Wish I could share my technical drawings...maybe I'll shoot a video on how this braking system works. Good luck, the warranty should absolutely cover this and get you on track. The OBD connection is right next to the hood release lever by your left shin. Once the D7 has the 2023 KIA models updated (I emailed the manufacturer 'XTool' this software update may not come until the end of the year, I will make a slew of videos looking at all of the on board systems and sensors. Wish I had something productive to offer you concerning your brakes. Sorry to hear about the issue. Please report back to the channel, if you have a moment, when the solution is figured out.

[@chrisi1920]

@@KiaNiroPluginHybrid Thanks for the detailed info on the e-parking brake and OBD port location. This weekend I backed the car up on ramps and inspected the actuator motors on the brake calipers, checked for any outward signs of loose wires, damaged components and everything looks normal. I found many youtube videos of various repairs made to e-parking brakes, and the work arounds to retract the piston when replacing brake pads. The system used in Kia Niro seems like it should be relatively simple and trouble-free, maybe I just got a dud. Actually, I'm quite impressed with what I saw under the car, good underbody protection/belly pan, nicely finished and coated parts, hopefully well sealed to the salty condition that will be encounter here on the MA coast. I'll try and schedule a service check with Kia and meanwhile may try my old scanner, (Seekone OBD 2, discontinued on Amazon) to see if it will read/reset any codes. I'll let you know what transpires.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

@@chrisi1920 appreciate the update. Good luck.

[@barrygibbons1]

Please keep us informed regarding scanner, what model and make and what you do to drain with the bidirectional scanner

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

I will. I use the XTOOL D7 scanner. I'm awaiting a software update for the 2023 KIA model

[@johnmotley747]

@@KiaNiroPluginHybrid Love the channel, love the CAR. You are much more detailed then I am so I look forward to you doing your maintenance. With that being said, any word on the XTool update. I want to replace my fluid, but I am scared to do it without seeing how the software works. I am at 61k miles and it needs it.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Hi John, no update on the D7 for KIA NIRO 2023-24 models. The scanner gives great feedback from the ECU (Engine Control Unit), but does not give you access to the HCU (Hybrid Control Unit) unit they update the software. Once the HCU is unlocked all features like actuating the selenoid valve on the Engine Clutch and monitoring all other systems i.e. electric motor temps, cooling systems and battery voltage/temp. I will keep you posted! @@johnmotley747

[@computergardener]

@KiaNiroPluginHybrid Thanks for the update... But to be clear, even though you never Bleed/purge your car, you never had an issue? No engine light, car runs smooth if not better? I picked up the DOT, I guess I just need to syphon what I can and refill.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

yes, no issues at all. I was prompted to change the fluid from a KZbin mechanic I trust who works on these hybrid vehicles. Fluid has looked clear and without sediment since changing this fluid about 5,000 miles ago@@computergardener

[@ირაკლიხალვაში-ო1რ]

Hi dear friend, what I'm wondering is this fluid drained from the system before the boom? or partially? I live in Georgia and these cars are new here, nobody knows how to change this fluid yet.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

I meant to write, 'milky sediment' at the bottom of container. This was the best description I could think of. I will post an update in around 2000 miles

[@manochuchu456]

Does this mean we have to change that Dot 3 fluid with every Engine oil change?

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

@@manochuchu456 It appears it would be wise for the long term life of the car. Luckily the DOT 3 fluid is cheap and easy to refresh

[@manochuchu456]

@KiaNiroPluginHybrid also I was watching in one of your videos u were saying that it has a dry clutch and it dosent take transmission fluid. But I was checking online it does needs dual clutch transmission oil change after certain kilometers. Any confirm information related to that?

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

@@manochuchu456 hmmm, interesting. My manual says unless the car is submerged in water, this transmission has no schedule for maintenance. I will double check this when I get back from work today.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

@@manochuchu456 yeah, a bit strange, but my manual says the transmission fluid 'no check - no service required' unless the transmission is submerged in water...in this case, there are 2 filler plugs and a drain plug for replacing the fluid. The clutch is considered a 'dry dual plate' but the transmission and its two gear boxed does have lubrication. I can see how this sound confusing.

[@hybridsolutiondiagnostics]

Beautiful video 🫡✅✅✅

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Love your channel! Thanks for finding mine. You’ve taught me a lot. I will always recommend people watch what you’re up to. My 8 year old daughter loves when we watch your videos on our projection screen :) thank you

[@isaiahmiringo7009]

Changed mine on ioniq hybrid after 60k miles, am yet to bleed the system small ticking sound after the procedure someone recommend a good scanner to do bleeding

[@JohanEriksson-q2r]

Do you need to bleed the actuator after changing the dot3 fluid?

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Hi, to do the job completely, to get all the fluid out, you can actuate the actuator with a bidirectional scan tool, but since cleaning the reservoir tank only, I haven't noticed the white sediment reappear in the last 7000 miles.