3 MECHANICS CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY KIA SEDONA HAS NO POWER AND USES TOO MUCH GAS!

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PLEASE HELP! Have a 04 Kia Sedona LX. It broke down,& mechanic said code was bad Crankshaft sensor; replaced. After that no power and bad gas mileage. Have since spent $2000 over the last 2 months with 3 reputable mechanics and it still runs the same! Zero power from take off although it seems to run OK when it finally gets up to 55 mph, but in the meantime I almost get killed by traffic - and very bad gas mileage. Not throwing any codes. Things done so far: New Crankshaft sensor; tune up; timing belt replaced;all catalytic converters checked out ok; MAS airflow sensor checked; Throttle position sensor replaced; new starter and water pump. Please help, I've now spent almost what I paid for it a year ago, I don't know where else to turn. THANK YOU

needhelpplease13 in Lindstrom MN

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Oct 17, 2013

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3 Replies

Popular Answer
pushrodon Oct 17, 2013

"POSSIBLE":: Engine out of time, timing belt improperly installed one cam may be off 1 tooth or restricted exhaust! Surely 3 mechanics should have found this if it IS the problem. More possible causes but a scan test should reveal those.

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needhelpplease13on Oct 18, 2013

Thanks for taking the time to respond....2 mechanics checked the timing and while it was apart the second time we had them replace the timing belt. 2 mechanics also checked the catalytic converters. Multiple scans have revealed nothing... Thanks again

pushrodon Oct 18, 2013

Let us know what you find out, IF you ever do, because this engine normaly has all the power you will ever need! I am out of guesses and that is all we can do. I thought the timing belt was replaced the first time. I still can't figure why the scanner doesn't show anything when reading live data!!

needhelpplease13on Oct 21, 2013

The Kia dealer figured out what was wrong today. When the first shop installed the crankshaft sensor, there's a part that stays on the vehicle that has a small hole and the sensor has a divit and fits in. If it's even a millimeter off, it breaks the crankshaft sprocket. In this case because it was not lined up it created 2 new holes, throwing off the timing of the vehicle. $750 to repair. So, all because of this first shop's mistake I'm out lots of money...wish I had brought it to the Kia dealer to begin with!! Lesson learned!

pushrodon Oct 21, 2013

Well i sure am glade it did not break the crank sprocket! If that had hapened it would have been MUCH worse! Anyway i am also glad you got it fixed. Don't get discouraged by this though, most independent shops are very reliable and up to date with today's auto repair! That being said, i have fixed some dealer mistakes as well. One more thing you may want to check into, there has been some crankshaft pulley bolt berakage on this engine, have fixed a couple myself but i feel sure the dealer installed the newest upgraded componets. Thanks for the response.

needhelpplease13on Oct 21, 2013

Thanks, no I won't get discouraged by local independent shops even though I'm surprised that 3 mechanics could not figure this out. Dealers make mistakes too, it happens. Just glad it's fixed and hope there are no more problems! Really appreciate your time!

pushrodon Oct 21, 2013

I hope everything works out for you with the other shop, seems like they just made an honest mistske like we all do. Thanks for the reply.

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ZeeTechon Oct 17, 2013

I wonder if the catalytic converter was broken internally? Pieces could travel downstream and create blockage. I'd also make sure the timing is set correctly as Pushrod suggested.

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needhelpplease13on Oct 18, 2013

We thought so too, but 2 different mechanics checked the cat. converters and the timing. We even had a new timing belt installed - no difference. Thank you for responding

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milesautoon Oct 17, 2013

No way that I or anyone can say for sure what is wrong without having car and testing potentialy lots of different things. But one thing makes me think that since it was running ok before someone replaced crankshaft sensor, that it may relate to that. I see information that indicates there has been issues with the crankshaft reluctor wheel. It does not come with the sensor but the sensor works with that part. Also if timing belt was installed one tooth off it could cause this issue also. Better go back to the begining and start over.

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needhelpplease13on Oct 18, 2013

Thanks for responding...I agree, I believe something happened after the installation of the crankshaft sensor since it has never run right since. The Kia dealer finally responded yesterday that possibly it is the sensing blade, which is what the crankshaft sensor works with - or possibly a defective crankshaft sensor (but I wonder why it would even run in that case). Is the sensing blade for the crankshaft the same as the reluctor wheel you are talking about?? Thanks for helping me!

milesautoon Oct 18, 2013

Yes..that the same thing.

needhelpplease13on Oct 21, 2013

To follow up with you....The Kia dealer figured out what was wrong today. When the first shop installed the crankshaft sensor, there's a part that stays on the vehicle that has a small hole and the sensor has a divit and fits in. If it's even a millimeter off, it breaks the crankshaft sprocket. In this case because it was not lined up it created 2 new holes, throwing off the timing of the vehicle. $750 to repair. So, all because of this first shop's mistake I'm out lots of money...wish I had brought it to the Kia dealer to begin with!! Lesson learned! Thanks everyone for all the help.

milesautoon Oct 21, 2013

You should share that info with the shop that did the work. Perhaps they will credit you toward future maintenance needs. We all can make mistakes...and we need to know when we make them.

needhelpplease13on Oct 21, 2013

Yes I did contact the original shop, they are going to work something out with me. I wanted to let them know so this doesn't happen to anyone else! Plus, it has cost me a small fortune and I didn't have a vechicle for months due to this...feel I should be reimbursed at least for the Kia repair. So, we'll see what they decide to work out with me. Really appreciate your time!

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