Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

Need some help w/ crappy Kia Sephia.

Old 06-14-2001, 03:24 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
IROCSRULE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Johnstown, pa
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Need some help w/ crappy Kia Sephia.

This is for my mom's stupid car. It's a 97 Kia Sephia and here's the problem. It's a 5-speed and the car doesn't want to seem to go about 55 mph. At 55, the engine sounds like the rpms are real high(there's no tach) but it still feels like it's 7000 rpms or something crazy, plus it's been eating a lot of gas since it started doing this. What could cause this, it seems that the car will blow up if you try to make it go any faster. IT's only got 51,000 miles on it too. Can anyone help?
Old 06-14-2001, 05:18 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member
 
elevario's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Tucson, Az, USA
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: 3.1L V6
Transmission: T5
I'm not a genious about cars but maybe she lost a cylinder (Or two?) That I think would explain the Sephia not wanting to go that fast and the higher rpms problem. I think that because the engine is working harder from running the high rpms all the time it would eat more gas. Might want to get a second opinion on this though. Like I said, I'm no genious.

------------------
V6 Bone Stock
Old 06-14-2001, 06:02 PM
  #3  
Member
 
coach's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TX, U.S.
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sounds to me like a driveline problem. Is the clutch engaging fine through all of the gears? It may be slipping and causing the higher rpm's(hence the bad fuel economy). Let's go through a list here. Because she'll rev up quite high, I don't think it's a fuel delivery, air, or spark problem. I could be wrong though. Does the car idle fine? Are you having any other problems with the car? Have there been any modifications to the car? Any more information that you can share would be helpful.
Old 06-14-2001, 07:58 PM
  #4  
Member

 
88irocz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1994 Trans Am
Engine: 5.7L LT1
Transmission: 6-speed
From the information given, I would place my bets on the clutch. Sure sounds like it's shot. This has happened to my Jeep a few times. I could rev the engine freely while it was in gear. Even in 5th gear you could make the engine redline without affecting speed the slightest bit.

Try this - set the parking brake, put the car in 1st gear, rev the engine up a bit, and release the clutch. A good clutch will fight the parking brake and try to move the vehicle. A bad clutch will 'bite' a little bit but won't feel like it will move the car.

------------------
'88 IROC 305 TPI
Crappy 700R4 slushbox
Gutted airboxes
180 degree T-stat
Advanced base TPS voltage
Relocated IAT sensor
Momo steering wheel (gotta luv it)
Ram-air setup coming soon
Flowmaster muffler (puke)
Taylor SpiroPro wires
Accel cap and rotor
Ported plenum
Kills: '94 Z28, Olds Aurora V8, bunch of Mustangs, T-birds, ricers, and others who assumed a 12 year-old car would be too slow.
Old 06-14-2001, 11:31 PM
  #5  
Member

 
giovanhalen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Kirkwood, MO, USA
Posts: 371
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: 454
Transmission: Th400
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Exhaust plugged?
Old 06-15-2001, 02:16 AM
  #6  
Supreme Member

 
JoelOl75's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: PA
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 88 Firebird WS6
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Not the exhaust! That would bog it down with bucking and a sensitive pedal (OK as light throttle, bucks and dies when you floor it.)

Of course a whattizit? 1 3/4" exhaust is considered a restriction!

Old 06-15-2001, 10:27 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
IROCSRULE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Johnstown, pa
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The car seems to shift fine 1st all the way through fifth. I could be wrong though.
Old 06-15-2001, 10:03 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member

 
94-6spd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: W. Kentucky
Posts: 1,112
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 83 Z-28
Engine: 406
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.70
Don't those things have a 100,000 mile warranty on them? I don't know if the 97's do or not but I would take it to the dealership and let them check it out.
Old 06-16-2001, 03:41 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
LottaBallsCamaro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Hampton Roads. VA
Posts: 914
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I"m betting on the clutch, a person I know had a 99' sephia and had to replace the clutchon it three times until they bought it back.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
69GTOby
Tech / General Engine
40
04-18-2016 02:34 PM
mfp189
Transmissions and Drivetrain
1
09-27-2015 09:25 AM
AmpleUnicorn88
Interior
12
09-24-2015 09:15 AM
SlowAZ28
Suspension and Chassis
7
08-31-2015 07:56 PM
J.C. Denton
V6
0
08-31-2015 03:11 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Need some help w/ crappy Kia Sephia.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:17 PM.