KIA Niro leaking coolant from exhaust, what's wrong and how to fix! Not a head gasket!

[@keithskeen8718]

Thank you for this video. It saved me a lot of money. Instead of using 3/4 hose I was able to use P/N 11600 from NAPA a preformed hose when cut off makes a prefect fit without collapsing.

[@arliebright]

Just performed on my 2017 Niro with 167,000+ miles. No visible leaks or clues like wet bumper, but was the issue for sure. Exhaust smelling like hot coolant and steam cloud looking. Thanks for the post!!!

[@pablorodriguez4389]

I did this same job on a 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid and it fixed the problem. It wasn’t pouring coolant like the car in the video but was letting out white smoke as if it was a blown head gasket but wasn’t. Hose was 3/4 diameter size hose; a $10 fix

[@calebbeacham2708]

Mine is blowing white smoke and misfiring. Was yours misfiring when it happened ?

[@Muhammad-x2x7l]

i m facing same issue right now i m bit confused to do that same as describe in video or not

[@hotprop92]

Anyone worrying about the catalytic converter overheating by doing this bypass, there's no need to worry. The schematic drawing of this little gem of an idea by KIA engineering(they're lucky they don't work north of the 38th parallel) shows exhaust gases being diverted into a tiny radiator by a solenoid actuated flapper door all mounted as a single unit on the side of the cat converter and the exhaust gases are made to flow through the tiny radiator that has engine coolant circulating through it. There's also an additional thermostat at the bottom of the engine that cuts off the flow to this gizmo once the engine coolant gets hot enough and about the same time the flapper door solenoid is deenergized so that exhaust is no longer diverted through the tiny radiator. They are cleverly but problematically using waste heat to alleviate a couple of issues only to create a rather large expense for owners down the line. This device was installed to bring coolant temps up more quickly for economy and emissions especially in colder weather when getting the coolant up to normal operating temps in hybrids is problematic. So bypass away. I have a 2018 Niro but I have less than 25k mi and no problem yet, knock on wood.

[@mattwilliams2935]

My heat just died on me the last couple days and I think I'm having this exact issue as I noticed a lot of white smoke in my exhaust the last couple days. Thanks for this easy fix that should save me a few grand.

[@adrianajimenez5711]

That happened to me and my car ended up overheating, checked the reservoir and it was completely empty

[@eclinor]

Have you been able to travel long distances without any trouble? I'm asking mine is having exactly the same problem

[@mattwilliams2935]

@@eclinor I did the bypass shown ini the video and it runs fine now. Before that it was leaking enough that I had to put about 1/4 a gallon in everyday.

[@eclinor]

@@mattwilliams2935 Thank you for answering, I appreciate that. Just one more question friend, so you think the fact of not having the coolant going through the catalytic could cause a fire? I know they are mean to work at high temperatures, but I never seen a car with this kind of system. I did the bypass and it did work fine, but I'm afraid of getting the car in the freeway and cause a fire due to the high speed and all the heat the will produce in the catalytic. What can you said about that? Thank you again

[@mattwilliams2935]

@@eclinorI'm not sure tbh. Its been about month now with no issue and I drive a lot. I'm not a mechanic so at your own risk.

[@valentinospillantini]

Having my Niro "drinking" coolant...we were pointing to the engine gasket. I'll try your tip, hope it will work! Thank you for sharing (in any case)

[@me_josh]

Did you try this?

[@valentinospillantini]

@@me_josh yes, my mechanic implemented last November and it worked. I forgot to update this post 😞

[@me_josh]

@@valentinospillantini has your niro been reliable aside from this? Tia

[@Muhammad-x2x7l]

as your review about it experience it i m going to do same in my car tomorrow and will share the review after few months . thanks for honest response

[@calvinmoyo5576]

Hey bro how much was the cost your mechanic charge u for service

[@DmitriiKovalev-i9j]

Hi there! Really thank you! It's 1 week and 200 miles after, i cant see coolant pooring out from exhaust anymore but it got burned through exhaust still😢 white smoke while engine is heating up to 120° and even a white powder on the back

[@mt406mechanics]

@DmitriiKovalev-i9j it may take a while to burn residue coolant from the exhaust system, if I understand what your saying.

[@DmitriiKovalev-i9j]

@@mt406mechanics yeah that's what I think is happening, it's just taking a bit more time&mileage than I expected and coolant in the coolant tank is keep going down, i topped it up 3 times already, used almost a gallon

[@bostitchrider2026]

My 2017 with 250K KM started leaking coolant at 242K KM/150K miles. Only leaks during colder outside temperatures, 10oC/50oF. Around 200K KM it started burning some oil regularly. About to replace breaks only for 2nd time. Overall super value, still getting 6.1L/100KM or 38mpg. Dealership gave a quote for $4400CAD. So for now I'll just top it up each week until we find a fix.

[@mous3y490]

this covered under usa 8yr/80k emissions warranty?

[@bryankuderman945]

How do i knownif this is my cars issue vs a head gasket? My 2017 niro on some random occasions blows white smoke out the tail pipe. When it does, its A LOT for about 30 seconds. Then i dont see smoke for weeks. I do have to top off coolant once ever 4-6 weeks...

[@valentinospillantini]

Same issue with mine. Just try this tip, if ok you (we) should stop to top off the coolant.

[@keytothelexus9639]

Same and im putting coolant in my car daily now! has anyone find something more friendly to do because lol idk how to do this!😭

[@bryankuderman945]

I followed the video and bypassed the heat exchange box. No more issues at all.@@keytothelexus9639

[@Noarka]

I did this repair but despite the lengthy hose it ultimately kinked causing problems -beware! Better to install a prebent piece…

[@EkClassics]

Thanks. My neighbor was just showing me an estimate for $4000 to repair this on her just over 100K mile car..... extended warranty doesn't cover it because it's exhaust. Manufacturer won't, as they are required on emission systems, it because its over the 100K mile " we aren't responsible" timeframe. Maybe I'll loop it for her until she can squeeze an extra $4000 out of her monthly budget.... Hey @Kia , last one she owns, last one anyone I know will own .... I'll be getting any Kia EV off my list now.....

[@giorgilatsabidze726]

Hello, can this issue cause black smoke from exhaust at cold start? It lasts about 10 seconds

[@magicgundam]

I just installed a bypass hose as seen in the video, but got an engine overheat warning during the test drive, and the reservoir that I just filled with coolant was empty. The hose seems clamped on tightly and I didn't see any signs of leaking around it, so I'm stumped at the moment about the issue.

[@mt406mechanics]

I'm sure you have an air pocket in the cooling system. It needs to burp

[@magicgundam]

@@mt406mechanics Yup, that was it! Was in a hurry to test the car and didn't give it enough time to bubble out. Bypass is doing the job though otherwise! Thanks for the helpful video!

[@Misbah007]

Does the coolent leak happen on cold engine only?

[@xymox007]

How long (exactly) should the 3/4 heater hose be?

[@Muhammad-x2x7l]

i m facing same issue in kia niro hybrid 2017 no leaking no misfiring no indication of failure on speed o meter but in the morning in cold weather it creates a white smoke i have to refill coolant every second day and every 40 miles i have to refill whole bottle of coolant to maximum. its great headache

[@nishaan6667]

Bro , did you try to sort out this issue. Mine is also starting

[@Muhammad-x2x7l]

@@nishaan6667 this bypass is not helpful i have bought a brand new catalytic converter for KIA

[@Muhammad-x2x7l]

& also i have change my car engine as well

[@nishaan6667]

​@@Muhammad-x2x7lwhich garage help you to do this? Can you please provide some information. So i can approach bro Thanks in advance

[@kevintajimaroa7629]

Hey, Im attempting to do this today and have a few questions. Not sure if you will see this. Is the catalytic converter closer to the front or rear of the car? (I am using Ramps and would like to see if I would have to lift the car completely or not) Is there fluid that flushes out? Approximately how much? (Dont want to have a bunch of coolant spilling since we have a dog)

[@mt406mechanics]

It's more towards the front, yes you will lose some coolant

[@kevintajimaroa7629]

@@mt406mechanics thank you

[@pfigrag]

I got a question? Can you use the same hose?

[@mt406mechanics]

I don't think you can due to hose sizes

[@calvinawald1225]

Thanks bro

[@woowa-mc9lq]

where is get the hose

[@danmorick]

3/4” heater hose available by the foot at Advance Auto or Autozone, at about $2 per foot or less.

[@mt406mechanics]

I suggest NAPA

[@lizabell217]

I'm having this issue. Kia told me today i needed a new EGR heat exchange and new catalyic coverter and valve, $6000. Another Mechanic who i told about what kia told me said fix the valve first so when he called a local kia for parts they told him the valve is not a separate part, its connected to converter which is backordered 6 months or more. I told him the service dept at another kia told me its 2 diff parts, valve would be there in a week, converter backordered but they don't know how long. I have the all the part numbers but now i have no idea whos correct. Is the valve separate from cad converter or is it one piece? The kia service man told me i needed to wait until converter came in to do the valve bc the labor costs to do separately would be ridiculous. I asked both about the bipass. Kia wont do it. Mechanic needs to look at the car, diagnose, etc. they both said i shouldnt be driving the car since everyday i have to refill coolant and it may screw up the converter entirely. I am a mom of 2, work full time, don't have a spare car for an unknown amount of time. Do i bipass it, wait and fix the valve (if its a separate piece) or take a loan out for the entire job which may not be startrd until 6 months from now? Any advice? Im a mess. Its been a day!

[@mt406mechanics]

Bypass it. Of coarse the dealer isn't going to tell you to buy pass it, this is not a professional way of repairing it but it works! Just find a shop that will bypass it

[@valentinospillantini]

@@lizabell217 as I posted: bypass works... it's now more than one year and everything is fine, consumption did not increase

[@h4x0rl33tee]

Found a solution buy a Toyota hybrid next time

[@Misbah007]

They all have heater exchange

[@sgecks]

I know someone who swears by Toyota and both of his hybrids went into limp mode around 200k because the batteries needed to be replaced for $10K. I think this is much cheaper!

[@h4x0rl33tee]

@@sgecksyes mine done 30000k no problems

[@tannerpardue4936]

It’s only about 1000 these days.