Scotty, hey I need your opinion. I have a 2004 Kia Sedona (125,000 miles) that needs a new piston or pistons. I just spent 1400.00 to have it tuned up and the bank 2 converter replaced and the mechanic stole the downstream converter. After they worked on my van it came back on worse shape and is not driveable. I'm poor and am able to at least take the engine apart, my neighbor has a cherry picker to help me pull it. Should I buy a new engine or go with pistons? I've had the van for 10 years it only has 125,000 miles on it, no accidents and everything else is good. Im all about the hard knock life as well. Thank you. Cary C
I want to add that after watching your YouTube channel I was able to replace the correct O2 sensor.
You could try a low mileage junkyard engine, but it's a gamble. Kia's aren't terribly reliable and you'll likely face more issues as it ages. I would personally cut my losses.
Stolen converter? (Did you file a police report?) Unfortunately you're caught between a rock and a hard place, apparently taken to the cleaners by a dishonest mechanic.
Even assuming rebuilding or replacing the engine would help the situation, and it may not, it is not worth rebuilding the engine or replacing the engine in an 18-19 year old Kia. It just isn't. Rebuilding an engine properly is not just a matter of replacing rings and maybe pistons. Probably the cylinder bores are worn funny and will need to be bored oversize, the crank could be worn and need to be ground undersize, head and camshafts could be in bad shape, all the seals worn, etc. Then there's all the old fasteners that will break taking things apart. Lots of machine shop work there. It costs $$$$ to do quality rebuild. You might stretch finances to do all that work and maybe it will even run OK when you're done - then what do you do when the transmission craters on you? It's a death spiral. A factory-rebuilt engine is thousands of dollars and a junkyard motor is a huge gamble.
Instead of funneling more scarce funds into that black hole I would seek out an older, cosmetically-distressed Toyota or Honda (avoiding problem models). What do you care if the thing is dinged up by hail, has torn seats and worn carpet, or has a crunched fender from a minor fender-bender as long as it runs OK?
Yes I have filed a police report and have an attorney because not only did they take the converter. There's no documentation on the supposed to be new converter or them removing the last one. They didn't expect me to look under the van when I got it home
What reliable vehicle can you get for a price of a new engine?
I personally can't.
Even a used one?
Are new engines even available for your car? Be aware that many Kia/Hyundai engines were recalled, often more than once. If you buy a salvaged engine it may or may not have been rebuilt. But even if was rebuilt, you know how Scotty feels about rebuilt engines (especially those rebuilt under warranty). My neighbor's Hyundai engine totally seized and the main bearings had to be replaced. Some of these engines also catch fire.
I believe that your Sedona was made before all the recalled bad engines were manufactured so that may not be a consideration for you if you find a salvaged engine. Nevertheless, Kia/Hyundai engines are not know for their longevity.
It sounds like your car is becoming a "money pit" as Scotty calls them. I'd probably cut my losses, too.
