Q: 2011 Kia optima engine locked up, what could it be? Vehicle stopped
While driving vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of the freeway. Got 2 mechanics to come out and figure it out and the last mechanics that did work on it suggest that it could be the timing belt that locked up the engine also suggest to get a more experience mechanic that knows a lot about engines. So my question is my engine is locked up, what could it be? A new starter has been put on there.
My car has 128413 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
You do not have a timing belt but a timing chain. If the engine overheated or ran low on oil then this may have seized the motor. You will need to have the engine turned by crankshaft to see if it is truly seized. Also check engine oil to see if it is low or out of oil? You may have seized the motor from lack of oil in engine.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Car stuck in gear
Is your car a manual or automatic transmission? Depending on which your vehicle is you could have very different problems. Your gear shift linkage could be broken, or there may be a problem with the transmission itself. Unfortunately, without more...
Heater hose is leaking
Hi. Hot coolant is pumped through the heater core. Heat from that coolant is then blown through the heater core and into the passenger compartment by the blower fan. Signs that your core is leaking include moisture on the passenger...
Car is jerking, and Check Engine Light flashes
When the Check Engine Light is flashing, it is telling you that the engine has a problem that may be causing damage to your catalytic converter assembly. The most likely problem is an engine misfiring from an ignition problem, such...
hi how long should my brake calipers last?? based on other mercs etc
Brake calipers, associated torque plates and sliding pins should all be thoroughly cleaned and rebuilt every time you have to change the brake pads (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement). These parts are subject to corrosion, brake grit, dust and dirt, and extremely high heat....
Steaming of the engine
Hi, thanks for writing in. Codes P0107 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/-p0107-obd-ii-trouble-code-manifold-air-pressure-map-barometric-pressure-sensor-circuit-low-voltage-input-problem-by-john-nelson) and P0122 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0122-obd-ii-trouble-code-throttle-pedal-position-sensor-switch-tps-a-circuit-low-input-by-jay-safford) could show up for several reasons, such as a faulty mass air flow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-mass-airflow-sensor). If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come...
Car jerks forward slightly everytime I hit 19 mph
Hello, and thank you for writing in. The misfire needs to be the focus of our attention. If you had moisture on the spark plugs and white smoke, then there is some kind of coolant leak. This fouling on the...
Engines I can easily put in a 1966 mustang
Hi Griffin. Your 66 Mustang was built to handle a small block V-8 Ford. The size of the small block Ford's 289, 302 and 351 are identical. They gain cubic inches by having larger bore and stroke in the combustion...
My temperature gauge goes up and down when driving. We just recently changed the thermostat. It even does it when the ac is off. I
Hi there. It is quite possible that the electrical harness to the thermostat is faulty or you have an obstruction of coolant inside the radiator or cooling system that is causing an actual temperature flux as you are describing. It...
Map sensor
Hi Danny. This video is pretty good (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ssv8mH94cs) on showing how to clean a MAP sensor.
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Kia Sorento
While While Kia may still be headquartered in Korea, the 2012 Kia Sorento is made right here in the United States, making it easier for Kia to put a lower price tag on this fully loaded compact SUV. With a...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Realtor or Real Estate Agent
If If you make your living as a realtor or real estate agent, you may have a number of considerations when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle. The most common considerations are budget, ability to transport people, and comfort....
How to Replace a Belt in Your Car
When When your engine is running, it creates power that is used for more than just accelerating. The engine’s power turns a belt on the front of the engine that can power additional systems such as: The air conditioning compressor...
Browse other content
Estimates
Services
Cities