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We have a 03 Kia Sedona Diesel 2.9.  Problem we have been experiencing is when we have not being towing.  Big concern is we have a 3 week holiday booked for France in 8 weeks and the car is playing up.

First happened about 5 weeks ago.  Coming up a hill the car lost all power to the accelerator.  Pushed down the pedel but no reponse although engine was running as normal.  Further up the hill the power to the accelertor returned and I completed my journey.

1 week agao the same thing happened funnily in the exact same place as the few weeks before.

Yesterday the acceleration went again only this time the the engine was overheating with the dial going right up.  At this point I noticed that the hot air was blowing cold air.  Had to stop a few times, the water resevior was well within its limits but the cap were I put water in for the radiator was boiling.  Waited till it cooled down and opened it up,  took a lot of water to fill it back up, but made it home safely but very slowly but the engine heat dial went up and down and at the same time the hot air blow hot when dial was down and blow cold when the dial went up.

I have had the car in the garage a few times  over the last few months because the water in the cap kept disappearing causing no hot air over the winter months.  The garage replaced some clips and secured all bolts to ensure no water leakage problems.  Seemed to fix but now the problem is back with a vengence.

Any ideas as to what could be the real cause of this.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mine is in the garage, similar problem although it was the computer telling me it was overheating with the gauge shooting up and back again in the space of a second.  Sticking thermostat they reckon, waiting for new one to be delivered and fitted.

Other option is the cooling sensor perhaps?

Ali

Is there a mayonnaise type gloop when you remove the oil filler cap?  That would normally indicate a head gasket problem AFAIK.

Ali

Had a very similar problem recently, tried the usual- thermostat and radiator only to find the water pump had gone. Cheap item to replace but very expensive to fit. However, the story didn't end there, the overheating had damaged the head gasket slightly - it would run all day solo without a problem, but put a van on the back, hit a hill and the temperature shot up. Under strain very hot gasses from the engine leak into the water system and it overheats.

There was no sign of sludge in the water to indicate this, the garage had to test the water for the gasses the engine produces.

Hope you don't have the same problem as it's expensive to fix and my friends cheerily tell me that once it's gone you never quite get a perfect repair and it will go again, not sure if that's true or a wind-up.

Thanks for all your responses.

I had a new temp. switch put in in the winter time as the fan would not heat up.

the chap at the garage checked the gasket last time the car was in and he advised it was ok.  The only thing he pointed out was that there they was slight wear in one corner of the radiator.  He suggested that with tighning the nuts etc this mat cure it without the expense of replacing the rediator.

I dislike the way we are told it could be this or that n it is replaced only for it not to work and told again it could be something else.

Ask your mates for a recommendation for a nearby garage if you are not happy with yours.  We have used our guy for over 25 years.  I know he will do his best to sort my car and won't rip me off.  He is worth his weight in gold.

Ali

I'd go to a main dealer & ask them for a diagnosis of the problem & a quote to do the work. That way, you should get the right men looking at the vehicle with the right kit to diagnose the problem.

There's nothing to say they have to do the job for you, all you're asking them to do is find out what the problem is. You might be happy with their price when they look at it for you. At least if a main dealer does the job, you should get a warranty on the work, I advise you to ask about that. If they do offer a warranty on the work it will be good anywhere. Considering you intend going off to France for a long trip towing, that warranty just might be worth having & the difference in the cost of the main dealer & your local garage might not be that much, it could just be a couple of hundred quid well spent.

BB      

Sound like a head gasket problem, the heater is often the first clue.

I've experienced similar symptoms with two previous cars............the bad news is it was the head gasket on both occasions !  The first time I didn't realise what the problem was and continued running the car - result - it needed a new cylinder head as the original one had warped due to the overheating (very expensive !!) On the second occasion I got the car to a garage as soon as the problem happened and got away with just a new gasket.

Rod