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Test drove a 2021 sonata N line (2.5T) (4/19/2021 build date) the other day. Car had pink antifreeze and smelled of coolant after ~30 min test drive. I didn't see any leaks, but the coolant smell is disconcerting on a new car.

The gurgle sound is usually an indicator of air in the system. Not sure how easy these are cars to bleed. Usually I use a vacuum filler when doing a coolant drain/fill. This eliminates any need to heat cycle the car afterwards and ensures no air pockets present.

First model year bugs? I like the k5 gt, but probably won't be buying anything in the near future, maybe a late 2022 or 2023 model.
 
Sorry to bring back an old thread; I own a Hyundai Sonata (which is basically the same car as the K5 underneath the skin), and recently I've been hearing occasional gurgling from the dash after shutting off the engine. I've checked my coolant levels and it's definitely below the min line. I have an oil change scheduled soon so I'm gonna have them top it off and take a look.

I know Kia & Hyundai dealerships operate differently, but for those who had this issue, did they resolve this under warranty for y'all? Would topping off the coolant resolve the gurgling, or does it require some sort of bleeding? I'm not the greatest when it comes to this stuff, just thought I'd maybe ask here since many of you had this issue. Thanks!

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I would suggest draining the system first before adding new coolant in there, unless you have a jug of the same factory coolant on hand, or use distilled water. From the looks of it, what seems to be happening is that when the engine is on and the coolant starts pumping through the system, the coolant level will decrease and ends up dipping down to the mouth of the outlet and causing it to gurgle.

I would still take it to the dealer and have them take a look, though. It might have a leak somewhere and it would be under warranty if there is.
 
Sorry to bring back an old thread; I own a Hyundai Sonata (which is basically the same car as the K5 underneath the skin), and recently I've been hearing occasional gurgling from the dash after shutting off the engine. I've checked my coolant levels and it's definitely below the min line. I have an oil change scheduled soon so I'm gonna have them top it off and take a look.

I know Kia & Hyundai dealerships operate differently, but for those who had this issue, did they resolve this under warranty for y'all? Would topping off the coolant resolve the gurgling, or does it require some sort of bleeding? I'm not the greatest when it comes to this stuff, just thought I'd maybe ask here since many of you had this issue. Thanks!

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Believe it or not, my kia k5 has the exact same amount of fill and so do plenty of others, you can see some YouTube reviews and pause under the hood. This is so specific that even after my engine replacement they still filled it to this mark. My car actually has a marker line at this level from the factory. Don’t know the point of the min Max line maybe it’s just a generic container.
 
Believe it or not, my kia k5 has the exact same amount of fill and so do plenty of others, you can see some YouTube reviews and pause under the hood. This is so specific that even after my engine replacement they still filled it to this mark. My car actually has a marker line at this level from the factory. Don’t know the point of the min Max line maybe it’s just a generic container.
What I’m more curious of is why many k5’s from last year had green coolant and this year is pink.. I’m planning on driving in the winter up north so I hope it holds up.
 
I would suggest draining the system first before adding new coolant in there, unless you have a jug of the same factory coolant on hand, or use distilled water. From the looks of it, what seems to be happening is that when the engine is on and the coolant starts pumping through the system, the coolant level will decrease and ends up dipping down to the mouth of the outlet and causing it to gurgle.

I would still take it to the dealer and have them take a look, though. It might have a leak somewhere and it would be under warranty if there is.
Believe it or not, my kia k5 has the exact same amount of fill and so do plenty of others, you can see some YouTube reviews and pause under the hood. This is so specific that even after my engine replacement they still filled it to this mark. My car actually has a marker line at this level from the factory. Don’t know the point of the min Max line maybe it’s just a generic container.
I appreciate the replies y'all. I don't think there is a leak, I've been checking underneath the car and all I've seen is the AC condenser dripping from its drain tube (oddly enough more than the other cars I've owned). I checked that just in case as well but it seems to just be water and not coolant. Also haven't had an issue with overheating either. I'm going to bring it up with the dealer when I'm there for my oil change just in case, better safe than sorry. I'm assuming that the most they'll do is top it up with whatever coolant they've got on hand. Will update y'all when I go in for my service!
 
I recently heard a gurgling noise coming from behind my dashboard,smelled coolant in the engine compartment and noticed a low coolant level the other day. After four days at the dealership and overnight pressure testing the cooling system, dye tracing, camera scoping the cylinders and checking the plugs,the dealer could not find any leaks. They pulled two brand new K5’s off the lot and tested them as well and found the same issues. They sent all the information on all three cars to Kia corporate who came to the conclusion that for the time being this coolant smell and intermittent noise is inherent to this model. They topped off my coolant and told me to keep an eye on and see if it persists. Someone on another forum that works at a Kia dealership also said that all of their new K5’s are smelling of coolant in the engine compartment for some reason. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case you experience this in the future.
I just experienced this the other day. Also smelled something buring and under my steering wheel near the floorboard got hot. I was able to feel the heat on my legs. The smell of coolant has been an ongoing issue . My local dealership where I bought my car from refuses to service me and my car so fingers crossed my lawsuit goes in my favor !!
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
I just experienced this the other day. Also smelled something buring and under my steering wheel near the floorboard got hot. I was able to feel the heat on my legs. The smell of coolant has been an ongoing issue . My local dealership where I bought my car from refuses to service me and my car so fingers crossed my lawsuit goes in my favor !!
I never felt heat come from under the steering wheel but that is where the gurgling noise came from. Dang that sucks tha they wont service it.
 
I appreciate the replies y'all. I don't think there is a leak, I've been checking underneath the car and all I've seen is the AC condenser dripping from its drain tube (oddly enough more than the other cars I've owned). I checked that just in case as well but it seems to just be water and not coolant. Also haven't had an issue with overheating either. I'm going to bring it up with the dealer when I'm there for my oil change just in case, better safe than sorry. I'm assuming that the most they'll do is top it up with whatever coolant they've got on hand. Will update y'all when I go in for my service!
Visited the dealer for an oil change and spoke to them about the coolant. They told me they topped it up and didn't see any leaks. Don't think they did any more than a visual inspection to check for leaks but I haven't seen anything myself so that statement holds true. Hoping for no issues, but only time will tell.
 
I couldn't find where the OP specified (or didn't) if this was the 1.6T or 2.5T engine.

It's interesting to note, some pictures i've seen show red coolant, other shows a blue or dark green.

Pics below are from my '22 stinger w/2.5T, ~1500 miles at this time. The levels appear unchanged from when I got the car a month ago. Build date is 6/9/2021.

This first pic of the reservoir for the intercooler. Somewhat hard to tell, but the level is at max or slightly above it.
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These next pics are from the radiator reservoir. These too appear to be right at the full mark (or within a few mm of it). I get no gurgling noises.
I am familiar with said noises on a different car which had air in the system after a cooling system drain/fill. The noise would manifest itself most when making turns.
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Car above ('22 stinger 2.5T) is now at 2300 miles. The coolant reservoir level is halfway between full and low. There is a mild coolant smell after shutting the car off in the front/passenger side of the hood near the radiator. Still no gurgling sounds as the level hasn't dropped as low as in post #22. It's been cold enough to run the heat. No coolant smells inside the car.

The other day I bought a gallon of pink coolant, part number UM020CH263, list price $15. Local dealers are charging $15-30 for this. Demand list price if they want to charge more.

I will have some times tomorrow to add the fluid. I use a medical grade 60ml syringe for brake fluid flushes (to evacuate old fluid from the res), so will use one of these for the coolant. Don't expect to add too much.

Car detail; 3 months old ~2300 miles. Seems the level dropped recently as the pics above are from 9/3 and the level was still at the full mark. We did have significant temp changes, used to be in the 70/80's, now in the 40/50's. So long as car has no external leaks and is not burning coolant, i'm ok with topping it off every 3-4 months. One of these days I'll have to start the car up and stand behind it to sniff the exhaust, see if there's a sweet smell to it.
 
Hey y'all, I posted in here a couple of months ago about the gurgling & low coolant in my Sonata. I brought the car into service and mentioned it during the oil change and they said they topped off the coolant, no leak.

Despite that, the gurgling noises remained, occurring pretty often after shutting the engine off. I would also often get a sweet smell at idle right before a drive, so I mentioned that to them as well.

My car has been at the dealer since this Monday (11/1), and the dealer verified and reproduced the concerns.

It's now Wednesday (11/3) and I've been told they think it's a sticky thermostat, or potentially something else. They're in contact with Hyundai America apparently to figure out the issue as the car is "so new". (Built Feb 2021, purchased April 2021).

The latest I've heard was that they have to take apart the entire dash to check the heater core.

I also have a post on the Hyundai forums if anyone is curious, and I'll be updating that as I know more. Just in case any of y'all were having the same issues.
 
I checked mine after heading to the store and then stopping for gas on the way home. It was just below the min line, and is pink in my 22 GT Line AWD. May have heard a gurgle of air once or twice but not reccuring, and never had any coolant smell. Will keep an eye on it with more use of the remote start now that it's below freezing
 
Not sure if this is the same gurgling that many of you all here have noticed, mine sounds almost like flowing water just behind my steering when when I start the car. I also have noticed my coolant almost empty and will be taking it in tomorrow morning for a check up. This is very interesting and dangerous as it has the potential of overheating if the driver isn't aware of there fluid levels. If the engine does overheat on an unsuspected owner, I bet Kia will put all blame on the owner for overheating and not diagnose this issue first.
 
I barely used my car since december but the level has dropped some. I think it's the heatup/cooldown cycles rather than miles. It's slightly higher than halfway between low and full now. Last topped off back in oct. Less than 1K miles since then. No gurgling sounds.
 
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