Engine knock, could this be a blown engine?

PCAVINEE

MEMBER
2010 KIA SEDONA
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
20,000 MILES

My daughter was driving down the interstate and she heard a noise and the van lost power and she did make it to the exit ramp. I had it towed to my house. It starts and idles fine but with a really loud knocking sound. Loses power when putting it in gear. The noise appears to be coming from the firewall on top of the motor. Blown engine?

10 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,513 POSTS

It could be it spun a rod bearing or you have broken piston. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? That way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. Also, can I ask if the check engine light is on?

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Wednesday, December 27th, 2023 AT 6:01 PM

PCAVINEE

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Hi Ken,

Going out to the car now to make a quick video of the noise. I am sure the motor is shot.

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Thursday, December 28th, 2023 AT 7:45 AM

PCAVINEE

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Here is the video.

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Thursday, December 28th, 2023 AT 9:31 AM

KEN L

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Thanks for the video, it helps. Yes to me it sounds like the timing chain guide has broken and you are hearing the chain contact the case. We can remove the timing chain cover to confirm the issue, here is how. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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Friday, December 29th, 2023 AT 10:16 AM

PCAVINEE

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Thank you. In your opinion, do you think it is worth going to all this disassembly if in fact it is the timing chain guide? It starts up every time, idles, doesn't overheat, just this noise. But it does have over 200,000 miles on it. Been a very good van though for the last 4 years.

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Friday, December 29th, 2023 AT 10:31 AM

KEN L

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Yep, you are on the line as far as a new engine goes, but it should cost about $1,400.00 to have a shop fix it or if you do it yourself it should cost about $500.00 in parts.

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Saturday, December 30th, 2023 AT 10:48 AM

PCAVINEE

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Thanks again Ken. So in your personal opinion, if this was your van, would you dissemble it to determine if in fact this is the chain guide? Secondly would you make the repair? My daughter is divorced and her and her three kids live with us. She has a job but deadbeat dad pays no support. So I bear the brunt of the expense. The van is still in nice shape, but has 200,000 plus miles on it. I value your opinion and thanks so much for all the times you have helped me.

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Saturday, December 30th, 2023 AT 11:07 AM

KEN L

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Good job picking up the pieces of your family, all of us have to take care of someone. If the inside of the engine looks clean, I would think about just fixing it the problem, the engine needs to be disassembled anyway for removal/replacement or repair so you have nothing to lose. I would take the timing cover off for inspection.

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Sunday, December 31st, 2023 AT 1:27 PM

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