Kia Problems

WE CONTACTED Ateco, the Kia importer, on your behalf and it assures us you will be looked after. According to an Ateco spokesperson the engine is being stripped down to find out what the problem is and ensure nothing else has been damaged. Subject to the check, Ateco will help you. However, this policy is Ateco's and it ran out on March 1 when the business returned to Kia, which now takes on all responsibilities.

THOUGH the engine is a 2.5-litre V6, it's still a small unit for such a large vehicle. Being used to a V8, you may be using too much throttle. Look at your driving style, and make sure you aren't carrying unnecessary weight. Also, make sure your tyres are properly inflated. I'm sceptical about the gadgets. It's impossible for the average person to establish whether the maker's claims are true. Unless they can show valid test data from an independent source, I wouldn't believe any claim they make.

YOUR method of checking fuel consumption isn't very accurate, so it's hard to comment. On the basis of the distance you cover on a tankful of fuel, you're using 16-18 litres/100km, which is high if that's accurate. The Carnival is a big lump of a vehicle, but should get about 12 litres/100km, which would give you a range of at least 600km. Overheating was a fairly common problem covered by warranty, but it would be worth making sure the engine didn't sustain any more substantial damage in the incident that might be affecting it.

I'VE DRIVEN the Kia and reckon it's value for money. It isn't the most refined van on the market, but it's hard to beat the price. The diesel is an old slugger, but it gets the job done and doesn't cost a fortune to run. It rides quite well and isn't too noisy, so I would be happy to drive around the country in one. Early ones had braking problems, but Kia fixed those with different brake pads, and drivers report the radio is less than useless.

Your son should find somewhere to park where the birds can't leave their calling cards. If they do, it's important to clean off the deposits as soon as possible. He should keep a rag and some high-quality paint cleaner in his car so he can use it the first chance he has. Regular washing and polishing also helps keep up appearances.

THE Kia Carnival is the least reliable, having well-documented problems with head gaskets. I would be drawn towards the Honda because it's well-built, well-designed and more contemporary than the Mazda.

NORMALLY I would suggest it could be fuel vaporisation due to heat build-up in the fuel system while you're sitting at idle, but when you feel it only at one speed I would tend to look elsewhere. If vapour is forming in the fuel stream you could expect to feel it almost as soon as you accelerate away. Take your car to your dealer and ask him to check the fuel pressure. That should eliminate vaporisation as a cause. It's also worth checking the ignition system, but because it's felt only at 80km/h it's unlikely to be spark. I would observe what else is happening at the time you feel the surge, and try to identify if anything else is having an effect.

KIA doesn't recommend fitting its cars with LPG. But if it is fitted, Kia will continue to honour the warranty, provided the fault or problem cannot be attributed to the LPG system. Some companies automatically void the entire warranty when an LPG system is fitted. You should talk to the installer about the warranty he offers and make sure you fully understand it. Generally, the installer must cover the LPG system components and the installation, leaving the carmaker to pick up the cover for the rest. If an engine problem arises a dispute can arise between the installer and the carmaker.

FIRST to your last question. You will wonder why you haven't had fuel-injection before, it is so much better in all respects than a carburettor that you will love it. Your car will start without drama at all temperatures, will drive smoothly at all times, won't suffer from fuel vapourisation, will deliver better fuel economy and have more power. As for the Accent and Rio, I can't give you a definitive answer other than the Accent has a good reputation within the trade. The Rio isn't quite as well regarded. The feeling is that Kia is about where Hyundai was five years ago in build quality and reliability. I would favour the Hyundai, but don't have any major Kia objection.