KIA Niro PHEV engine details / endoscope prep

[@RandallChase1]

I’ve got a 2017 and I’m getting a P0011 error. It’s the VVT solenoid, I need to clean or replace it, and this is the only place that has shown me where it is on the engine, thank you!

[@dougmathyk7184]

Very, very interesting…you’re saving me a ton of work. You should rename your channel ‘The Niro Fanatic’ lol. Bet some Kia mechanics will be following you. Keep up the great work.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Thank you.. it is quite gratifying learning the service manual and getting familiar with these systems,, this air cleaner assembly hides all the goodies :)

[@TimRobertsRE]

Please make a video of replacing/inspecting fuel injectors 🙏🙏🙏

[@BoundlessParadise]

These videos are great! Not many videos on these Niros! We just got the car a two months and its been 4000km with a 80% EV driving and its already asking for a oil change. This seems abnormal and excessive. What do you think of what is happening with the niro and how it calculated when the oil change is due?

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Good question... I have my doubts that the HCU (hybrid control unit) or the ECU (engine control unit) is making the calculation. I wonder if the KIA Dialer is making this service schedule active in the onboard software? 5000 miles is the suggested oil change duration for what is know as 'severe conditions' in the service manual. I do think, given the unique nature of operating a PHEV car and moments where the combustion engine is started cold, put under load, and turned off before the crank case and oils rise in temps is difficult on these engines and 'blow by gasses' do get into the crankcase oil regardless of how few miles are on the engine. I would go a head and get you oil changed. I have two oil change samples out for lab testing currently, I will report back to this channel with the exact results (i.e. oil dilution by fuel). Thanks for watching!

[@drnda2007]

where did you get niro service manual, tx

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

Hi I got it here www.factory-manuals.com/shop/2023-kia-niro-repair-manual/ This address should take you to the Factory Manuals correct listing for 2023 Niro Repair manual . This Download covers the PHEV model and is just over 3,600 pages of pictures and process illustrations . Hope this helps, I have found my copy very very useful in understanding how all the systems work and integrate.

[@chrisi1920]

This is exactly what I was going to do. I have an old endoscope I've used for remodel work for looking inside walls for pipes and wires. It might be a bit clunky for autos, the cable is quite stiff, but could be ok. Does your endoscope allow a view to the side? I'd be looking for carbon deposits in the intake, the achilles heal of GDI systems. I'm curious about the oil analysis. I still have the OEM oil as delivered new and considering having that analyzed. I want to put a few more hours on the engine (maybe 4 hours total right now) to get a sense of break in wear. Even with over 1200 miles on the car, it's been mostly powered by the battery. The EGR system appears to deliver the exhaust gas to the right side cylinder manifold, but I wonder if the gases are distributed across all cylinders? The the part identified as the PCV valve, is that connected to the valve cover? I don't see an inlet and outlet that would allow crankcase vapors to be drawn into the engine to be burned up. Again I wonder if the manifold is ported so the gases are distributed across all the cylinders. Also, regarding the oil you use, I commented in one of your other videos that my Kia dealer said they recommended 5W-30 oil (citing extreme service conditions) but the more I read about modern engines it seems that may not be the best choice, and the 0W-16 specified by the owners manual may be optimal. I wonder what your thoughts are about oil now that you've been looking into these engines. Thanks for your research and also showing the procedure for deactivating the electrical system as well.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

First off, yeah, I think about the oil weight a lot . I would like to use a heavier oil, but don't know if that is wise until I get more data on the used oil. Great question about the EGR system /exhaust distribution, I am looking for technical drawing on that. As for the Positive Crankcase Valve (PCV) this is also an internal drawing I need to get clear on...very good questions..Here's a link to the endoscope I bought. It does have a neat prism like attachment and some others so you can change the viewing angle by 90 degrees. They raised the price $10 since I bought it a week ago, but I have a feeling it will return, to $49..either way seems like a great tool .comes with video recording option and a 32 gig card. Keep you posted on the oil. I'm having that same oil analyzed from another lab most likely to compare the 2. I'm really only concerned about the exact amount of fuel creeping down those cylinder walls. I'll be doing a pressure test on each cylinder after Christmas. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BFRVJ45R/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

[@chrisi1920]

​@@KiaNiroPluginHybrid Thanks for the Amazon link. The mirror attachment for the endoscope looks like it might provide a decent side view to look into the intake area, but I'm not sure how easily the crankshaft can be accessed and rotated to provide a view however. Getting the proper position on the intake stroke could be a challenge. At the same time, I'm not sure how well built that mirror attachment is and you definitely don't want to lose any parts in there. Judging from what I've heard about GDI systems, it takes many thousands of miles before carbon deposits really affect engine performance so its really more of an academic interest than anything for me. I'd think and annual inspection (10-15K miles?) might provide a good idea about how much carbon is actually being deposited. No doubt Kia engineers are very aware of the situation and probably have tweaked intake and exhaust valve timing as well as the EGR system to mitigate potential problems as much as they can.

[@KiaNiroPluginHybrid]

@@chrisi1920 Academic for me as well, yet with consequences $ . I suppose I do love understanding how things work, and not knowing why something fails and having someone else figure it out feels stressful when it comes to cars. The DL700 (made by XTOOL) BI directional scan tool I have will allow you to advance the crank most likely with the use of the Hybrid Starter Generator, you can you this engine test for compression testing on the cylinders..I'll be doing the compression test as soon as this 16mm socket comes and I have some time off work. Thanks for the insightful questions