Question: MY CAR JUST STOPPED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT HAD I NOT GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD IN TIME. I WAS ON ROUTE 68, A 4 LINE HIGHWAY. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING TENSIONER BROKE, WHICH THE MANUFACTURE KNEW WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE ALL THE REPAIR BOOKS SAY TO HAVE IT CHANGED AT ABOUT 65,000 TO 75,000 MILES. NOBODY TOLD ME THAT. IF MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME NEEDLESS TO SAY IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING INSTEAD OF ME WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS COSTING ME OVER $2,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NEEDLESS TO SAY HAD I BEEN WARNED I WOULD HAVE HAD IT REPLACED. *TR

Answer: The Kia engines use a timing belt, not a timing chain. Timing belts have to be changed at the proper intervals suggested by manufacturers. Usually about 75,000 miles is the area when you need to change it.

First off, it is not the dealer or manufacturers responsibility to teach you to read the manual that comes with the car or LOOK under the hood. There is a fairly large sticker which says “Warning: Timing belt has to be changed every 75,000 miles”

Ignorance is not a good excuse when it is very clearly stated in the owners manual, it is all explained clearly. If I was in your spot, I would never pay that type of money to fix an engine. Not when I can buy a good used engine with 40,000 miles or less for less than $2300.00.

Unfortunately, you may have to bite the bullet and buy one of our many exchange motors for sale. As I said, a low mileage used engine may be your best choice. To find out exactly what you need for a replacement engine, Call GotEngines.com @ 1-877-268-0664 and speak with a courteous and knowledgeable expert on Kia engines and find out how we can provide you with the best used engines, backed by the best warranty from the most competitive engine replacement company in the continental US.