i have replaced the thermostat,water pump and radiator . the car is still running hot. Steam is coming out of the tail pipe.

Asked by stuckagain Mar 31, 2013 at 02:04 PM about the 2002 Kia Spectra

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

6 Answers

70

Sounds like water leaking into exhaustport and blowing out exhaust. If you pull out the sparkplugs one should be clean. Thus head gasket or cracked head.

Yeah sounds like a head(s) [V6 has two heads, good idea to take both off and get both 'shaved' / 'resurfaced', I have had good luck with simply retightening the head bolts to specification with a torque wrench you can 'rent' one for FREE from AUTOZONE or O'Reilly's autopartsstore], if you are not doing the job yourself it can get expensive... Generally $400 in parts, $200 in machine shop and $500-$1500 in labor (dependant on which thief [I believe they prefer the title they earned with their 6 mths of Tech School, to be address as a 'technician'] you take it too...) As for the tightening I'm sure that 99% of all repair persons that may profit from your misfourtune would say it is not a good idea to 'retighten' the head bolts. The only thing I would advise is DON'T let the engine run with creamy/caramel like oil, see under the fill cap, on the dip stick, or when the oil is drained for said characteristics of oil. You might also need new valve cover gaskets when you do this. Just take it super slow and go off the manual ($15.00 investment can save lots!), youtube.com is a GREAT resource. Please like matchsing.com on facebook if you appreciate the answer and feel free to comment too. I don't mean to knock the technician, I have had too many experiences of women and the unknowing being taken advantage of for their hard earned cash. Be honest and don't let your employer rip people off. GOOD LUCK!!!

Just an fyi this engine is identified as INTERFERANCE, you need to double verify timing prior to turning it over by key, three rotations by hand. If engine stops anytime while hand turning do not force it. You dont wanna do it twice. Just sayin

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