Hi Scotti
I have two Kia Sorento's. A 2021 I bought new with a 2.4l and a 2019 with a V6 I inherited. The cars have been reliable for the most part. I have two questions:
1. On the 2019 the dip stick keeps popping up. It's held in with an 'O' ring which I replaced. It does not seem to cause any harm I just don't like driving around with loose dip stick.
2. One of the headlights on the 2021 got foggy or should I say dusty. I discovered that a desiccant bag inside the removable twist off cover behind the bulb had exploded. I had to pull the assembly off the car and wash out the white powder and then dry it out. Then I inspected all the headlights on both cars. All four desiccant bags had exploded or to some degree swelled up to the point of rupture. I pulled out all the desiccant from all the headlights. Any reason to replace the desiccant bag. I figure if all four exploded , one pair in a car little over a year old they will probably just explode again. Are these assemblies that sensitive to moisture?
https://www.forteforums.com/attachments/pxl_20210213_172011854-jpg.81781/
FYI. I contacted the dealer on another matter and while I was at it mentioned the dip stick. I got a surprising answer. Seems there is a recall on those dipsticks. They rely on an O ring to hold them in place and a bunch of them when out with the wrong O ring. I went down and got my free replacement and the O ring is 50% thicker. Now the dipstick actually snaps in place.
As far as the desiccant bags in the headlights they said they are not a warranty item. Their parts clerk told me just buy the generics from an auto parts store or Amazon and change them once a year. They are so expensive from Kia the dealer does not bother to stock them.
Thanks for posting back with the fix.
If the dipstick keeps popping out, it means there is excessive pressure in the crankcase because the blow by is not being evacuated by the pcv valve. Replace your pcv valve. The desiccant is there to absorb moisture that gets trapped in the sealed headlight units. Either keep replacing the bags or drill some small drain holes in the bottom of the units.
The dipstick has been inching up a little at a time. I thought the engine was burning oil. I would grab the dipstick pull it out and the oil was always down. Then I would recheck the level after pushing the dipstick down until it hit bottom and then the level was OK. Then I checked it after my wife drove the car shopping. I could push the dipstick down 3/4 of an inch. I am wondering if it is due to vibration.
As far as the desiccant bags I am just going to leave them out. This is LongIsland land of muggy summers and damp winters. No amount of desiccant is going to help. Like I said the one car is less than 2 years old.