Dear Scotty,
KIA's new CX-9 is powered by its new Inline 6 engine, which seems pretty powerful and reliable at first glance. However, I was warned by a Toyota mechanic about that Inline 6 engine has many simple fixes like spark plugs or timing chain replacements, which will require a mechanic to drop the entire engine to reach everything in the back. It's a planned defect by KIA to force you to buy expensive mechanic car repairs for otherwise simple fixes that amateur mechanics could otherwise DIY. Do you know if he's right?
Considering Kia's track record over the years the chances are that engine will not be long-lived, reliable, or inexpensive to work on. If you're lucky maybe Kia has at least figured out how to keep it from spontaneously bursting into flames.
Of course on modern vehicles in general there is very little that the typical amateur DIY owner can do beyond basic maintenance like oil and filter changes.
That's not Kia, they don't make any inline 6 only v6. This is the new Mazda CX-90 with turbo inline 6 which long term reliability is unknown since they just came out very recently.
Do you mean Mazda CX-90 Inline 6?
Got a link to which car you are referring to?
KIA's new CX-9
huh?
KIA's new CX-9
You mean the Mazda CX-90 that Scotty did a full 12min video about 3 months ago?
How to search Scotty's videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWNbRqQtCWQ
No such thing.
Kia would never make and has never made an in-line 6.
will require a mechanic to drop the entire engine to reach everything
No, he’s wrong - there won’t be a need to drop the engine for spark plugs that’s for sure.
It's a planned defect by KIA to force you to buy expensive mechanic car repairs
get your tinfoil hat!
and again, Kia does not make nor plans on making such engines.
You mean Mazda.
and no, last time I seen an in-line 6 the hood area was laid out extremely well and the engine was about the size of a 4 cyl:
The S60 SI6, an in-line 6 with 300 horsepower in a compact sedan.
(and yes volvo did place the accessory drive on the wrong side on some other cars too)
Making a large engine ain’t a “trick”,
the question of serviceability purely depends on how they’re gonna lay everything out.
I’m betting, since they’re integrating it into existing chaises designs - it’s gonna be about as serviceable as a regular 4 cyl.
It anyone is putting in large engines in layouts that complicate maintenance, that’s Toyota.
Their Camry V6 can be difficult to perform certain maintenance items on, and the newer larger cars are even more of an issue.
Some of their cars require dropping the subframe for engine / tranny work - but that’s not maintenance, that’s ONLY when something goes very wrong.
So still - nothing that hurts DIY.
Kia would never make and has never made an in-line 6. ... You mean Mazda.
I thought something didn't look quite right with this but I'm not really up to speed with current car models or manufacturers' plans. However there was a Korean car company that produced a transverse inline six some years ago so it didn't sound completely implausible.
https://www.wardsauto.com/news-analysis/all-new-daewoo-straight-six-coming-us