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1.6 turbo power/noise

6269 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Roccodif
I've only had my K5 GT-line for a month now but we(my wife and I) have noticed that there is a lack of power like the car is struggling to increase speed (it does though) but sounds and acts like the older cars if you ran regular gas in a car that needed premium. Not so much in sport mode as normal or smart mode.Is anyone else feeling and or experiencing this? I called the dealer and they said maybe the normal vehicle breakin period(only 850 miles on the odometer)
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Are you talking about when you slow down, almost to a stop, then try to take off again? Because that's the only thing I've noticed with mine. A friend of mine said he had the same problem on a Hyundai Veloster in the past, and he assumes it's just the turbo spooling back up.
Are you talking about when you slow down, almost to a stop, then try to take off again? Because that's the only thing I've noticed with mine. A friend of mine said he had the same problem on a Hyundai Veloster in the past, and he assumes it's just the turbo spooling back up.
It happens then too but from a dead stop it does it only less in sport mode
I want to say I've experienced that a few times as well. I'll pay more attention next time I drive somewhere.
The one thing I have noticed is, if you get on the throttle too late after shifting, it's kind of doggy. But if you get into it right away after the shift, that's where all the power is in the powerband. I bought and installed a Pedal Commander and that helped quicken up the throttle response. It's adjustable in the fly as well, so you can have real time comparisons.
Hey Bruce thanks for the reply. I have an automatic and just normal acceleration sounds like the older cars running on low octane gas (valves rattling?) it picks up fine the noise has me wondering if that is normal for the 1.6 turbo or just something wrong with my car.
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Hey Bruce thanks for the reply. I have an automatic and just normal acceleration sounds like the older cars running on low octane gas (valves rattling?) it picks up fine the noise has me wondering if that is normal for the 1.6 turbo or just something wrong with my car.
I noticed the same thing. The engine sounded like the valves were tapping and it was not this loud on my previous two Optimas. I was at the dealership a few weeks ago and mentioned it to a service advisor and he said yes the new K5 engines are louder and the noise is even more noticeable because there is no plastic shroud covering the engine intake to absorb some of the noise.
I noticed the same thing. The engine sounded like the valves were tapping and it was not this loud on my previous two Optimas. I was at the dealership a few weeks ago and mentioned it to a service advisor and he said yes the new K5 engines are louder and the noise is even more noticeable because there is no plastic shroud covering the engine intake to absorb some of the noise.
Hey Tony, I have an appt. at the dealer to check the noise in january. I spoke to another dealer's serv. mgr. who told me that i am not imagining the noise that they have had some techs and customers question the noise. Says nothing to do about it yet but didn't feel the need to question someone on the national level to see how widespread this issue is. I will keep everyone with the similar informed when I get an answer in Jan. 2021. Thank you for your input.
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Hey Tony, I have an appt. at the dealer to check the noise in january. I spoke to another dealer's serv. mgr. who told me that i am not imagining the noise that they have had some techs and customers question the noise. Says nothing to do about it yet but didn't feel the need to question someone on the national level to see how widespread this issue is. I will keep everyone with the similar informed when I get an answer in Jan. 2021. Thank you for your input.
Any update? Mine is has a slight/small thumping sound when I'm on the gas only when I accelerate. Radio off you can hear it, radio on, not so much.
I was at the dealer on 1/7 mentioned the coolant smell outside the vehicle it’s not leaking just has the smell after driving for awhile. The main reason I went to the dealer was the rattling noise while accelerating at lower speeds sounds like valve noise I compare it to either older cars needing a higher octane gas or not downshifting a transmission low enough to maintain smooth acceleration. I was told that no one has complained about this and no one in corporate has heard of this and until it becomes a problem that is the character of this new 1.6 turbo. I love the car hopefully they get the little annoying things looked into.
I was at the dealer on 1/7 mentioned the coolant smell outside the vehicle it’s not leaking just has the smell after driving for awhile. The main reason I went to the dealer was the rattling noise while accelerating at lower speeds sounds like valve noise I compare it to either older cars needing a higher octane gas or not downshifting a transmission low enough to maintain smooth acceleration. I was told that no one has complained about this and no one in corporate has heard of this and until it becomes a problem that is the character of this new 1.6 turbo. I love the car hopefully they get the little annoying things looked into.
I will let the dealer know when I go into for my first service.
I noticed the same thing. The engine sounded like the valves were tapping and it was not this loud on my previous two Optimas. I was at the dealership a few weeks ago and mentioned it to a service advisor and he said yes the new K5 engines are louder and the noise is even more noticeable because there is no plastic shroud covering the engine intake to absorb some of the noise.
What we are likely hearing is this new motor has new tech called continuously variable valve duration. It's entirely mechanical. This is new for the k5 and 2020+ sonata. The other 1.6t are not the exact same motor.

. Watch that it will all make sense.
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I’ve noticed the smell of antifreeze when parked after driving A while I know that smell and it’s there but not leaking can’t find the source yet if anyone finds where it’s coming from let me know I’ll check oil dipstick for signs of moisture in oil hope it’s not head gasket
I’ve noticed the smell of antifreeze when parked after driving A while I know that smell and it’s there but not leaking can’t find the source yet if anyone finds where it’s coming from let me know I’ll check oil dipstick for signs of moisture in oil hope it’s not head gasket
I am 90% sure the smell is coming from the pressurized coolant reservoir cap.
I was at the dealer on 1/7 mentioned the coolant smell outside the vehicle it’s not leaking just has the smell after driving for awhile. The main reason I went to the dealer was the rattling noise while accelerating at lower speeds sounds like valve noise I compare it to either older cars needing a higher octane gas or not downshifting a transmission low enough to maintain smooth acceleration. I was told that no one has complained about this and no one in corporate has heard of this and until it becomes a problem that is the character of this new 1.6 turbo. I love the car hopefully they get the little annoying things looked into.
Hey, guess what? You’re not the only one. I get the smell of coolant too! After driving around and getting home you can’t miss the odor. There’s no issue on my dashboard coming up and The gauge is fine. This is my 3rd KIA. I had two Optima’s before this and never had issues except for headlamp fogging after a car wash.

also, very rough engine sound overall. And if I put the car into Sport mode it gets a bit worse. Not terrible but concerning. Just did my first oil change at a local Kia dealer not where I bought the car but didn’t ask them about it then. Didn’t like the dealer anyway but on my next oil change I’ll take it to a dealership I used to go to. They couldn’t beat another dealerships price so I didn’t buy it there but the service crew are pretty good. Will let you know how it goes. Don’t be surprised if Kia does a recall on these issues.
I’ve noticed the smell of antifreeze when parked after driving A while I know that smell and it’s there but not leaking can’t find the source yet if anyone finds where it’s coming from let me know I’ll check oil dipstick for signs of moisture in oil hope it’s not head gasket
I had posted on this issue before and yes you are correct I also smell the anti freeze odor too. You’re not the only one. It is t your imagination. I bet if enough K5 owners complain Kia will do a recall o. This. Also the very rough engine sound. I’ve had 2 Kia Optima’s and never experienced this before. Got my K5 GT Line back in December 2021 and it only has 1600 miles on the OD. Very odd stuff.
Hey, guess what? You’re not the only one. I get the smell of coolant too! After driving around and getting home you can’t miss the odor. There’s no issue on my dashboard coming up and The gauge is fine. This is my 3rd KIA. I had two Optima’s before this and never had issues except for headlamp fogging after a car wash.

also, very rough engine sound overall. And if I put the car into Sport mode it gets a bit worse. Not terrible but concerning. Just did my first oil change at a local Kia dealer not where I bought the car but didn’t ask them about it then. Didn’t like the dealer anyway but on my next oil change I’ll take it to a dealership I used to go to. They couldn’t beat another dealerships price so I didn’t buy it there but the service crew are pretty good. Will let you know how it goes. Don’t be surprised if Kia does a recall on these issues.
Found out the Coolant smell is from the overflow reservoir the cap is vented
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