Picture of KIA 1.6 Smartstream cylinder

[squidward]

This is picture of 2019 KIA K3 1.6 smartstream I4 MPI engine cylinder (Not my car)

total mileage : 51500 Mile (83000 km)

Driving profile : 30 km highway commute

Engine oil : Use only 0W20

Knocking sound at intake temperature of 86 F (30 degrees)

Dealer always said it's normal.

Hope this helps someone...

1st cylinder

2nd cylinder

3rd cylinder

4th cylinder

 

[Danno]

Try a different dealer.
Piston top deposits look pretty crusty. Maybe try a different station, a PEA based fuel additive, or a "top tier" station, if there is such a thing in Korea.

 

[hemitom]

Fuel quality may be questionable ?

 

[WobblyElvis]

IMO, improperly designed and or manufactured pistons. It is developing piston slap. Hyundai makes a lot of bad engines.

 

[wpod]

Not a fan of 0W -20wt oils for some reason.

 

[JavierH19]

Try a different dealer.

 

[Propflux01]

IMO, improperly designed and or manufactured pistons. It is developing piston slap. Hyundai makes a lot of bad engines.

Could you please point to the parts on the cylinder that indicate impending slap?

 

[WobblyElvis]

I own two Hyundais and have been following their history engine failures for years. I've seen many pictures of worn pistons skirts posted on the internet [and we all know the internet does not lie]. The pistons are too short and the coating on the side of the piston skirt wears quickly. As the piston is on the power stroke and the crank is at 90 degrees away from top dead center, the downward pressure of the piston forces the piston against one side of the cylinder bore wearing the piston skirt. This can be seen in the vertical wear marks on the cylinder wall. The wear will be most prevalent on only one side. If I recall correctly it will be the firewall side of the block.

 

[squidward]

@Danno @hemitom He is using midgrade gasoline. (Octane 91~92)

 

[Number_35]

@squidward, is the head off, or are the photos from a probe through the spark-plug holes?

 

[Triple_Se7en]

squidward
(I think?).... The USA didn't get the Smartstream 1.6 engines until 2021. The prior name is / was Gamma. That's when 0w20 was first introduced here also. Then, it only took months for Kia USA to announce they want everyone to use 0w30 instead in the TGDI engines of 2021 and 2022.

Kinda' looks like Korea made engines intended for use only in Korea region, never upgraded to 0w30 for your 2019 vehicle. Or, you never received notice they did.

 

[squidward]

@Number_35 through the spark-plug holes.

 

[odie]

Changes as these engines evolve .

GAMMA : From our owners manual

2020 HYUNDAI Venue , Accent and KIA Rio are same engine .

VENUE w/ M.P.I. as the KIA Rio below ? Would think so .

2020 KIA Rio

2023 KIA Rio and 2024 HYUNDAI Venue : 1.6 Ltr. w/ M.P.I. (?)

2024 HYUNDAI Venue ( 1.6 Ltr . w/ M.P.I. (?) )

 

[KrisZ]

It’s a junk engine, no oil would likely save it. Score marks like that at only 50k miles is the proof.
Not sure why people are trying to deflect to oil of fuel choices.
No good engine will look like that at 50k miles, even if it is abused.