Kia Soul Burning Oil - What To Do? (2024)

If your Kia Soul is burning oil, it might raise some concerns. So what do you do in this situation? We have researched to help you troubleshoot this issue in this article.

If your Kia Soul is burning oil, this is what you need to look for:

Oil level
Combustion chamber
Oil on spark plugs
Valve seals
Piston rings
PCV valve
Oil filter
Oil pan gasket
Filler cap
Leaking hoses
Oil filter housing gasket
Oil dipstick tube seal
Cooler line
Oil separator
Drain plug

All of these parts could be the culprit to your Kia burning oil. In this article, we will discuss the warning signs and pinpoint the oil leak source. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the Kia Soul, so read on!

Kia Soul Burning Oil - What To Do?

When your Kia Soul is burning oil, it is a warning sign that something is wrong. If you ignore the warning signs, your engine could suffer irreparable damage. If this happens, it will cost a lot of money to get fixed, and you would be better off buying a new car.

We can't tell you what exactly burning oil means because it varies from vehicle to vehicle. However, there are several common areas that people look at to determine why their Kia Soul is burning oil. So if you're curious about what burning oil means for your Kia Soul, you should pop the hood and check things out under the car.

To find the source of the burning oil, you need to look for a leak. However, there are several places that you need to check. Let's take a look at them below:

Oil level

Before you start searching for the source of the leak, you need to check your oil level. If your Kia is burning oil, it is most likely low on oil. So you need to add oil if the level is low and not leaking.

You will want to add oil to start looking for the leak. If the Kia Soul is out of oil, it will be hard to find the leak.

Combustion chamber

If your Kia is burning oil, you'll want to take a look at the combustion chamber. This area includes the valves, pistons, spark plugs, and cylinders. If you see any of these items covered in oil, then it might mean that your engine's combustion chamber has been leaked into by one of these parts.

Oil on spark plugs

Valve seals

If your valve seals are damaged, the oil will escape into the combustion chamber. This is why it's essential to look for this issue if there is oil on the spark plugs or in the combustion chamber. In addition, you'll need to replace any broken, cracked, or deteriorating valve seals to prevent further damage.

Piston rings

The piston rings help seal your engine and keep the oil in. However, if one of these components is worn, cracked, or damaged, then it can allow oil to escape and enter the combustion chamber.

PCV valve

The PCV [positive crankcase ventilation] system is designed to drain contaminants from your vehicle's crankcase that may enter your engine through the intake. Unfortunately, if the PCV valve is damaged, it won't drain these contaminants, and oil will leak into the combustion chamber. This could cause one of your engine components to fail and result in your Kia burning oil.

Oil filter

You'll need to change the oil filter if there is any damage or loose clamps. However, if there is no damage or loose clamps, you'll need to check the sealing surfaces. It could be that oil seepage is coming from here, and if so, it may indicate a damaged part in your engine.

Oil pan gasket

If you find any oil under the engine, there is a good chance it could be coming from your oil pan gasket. If it's leaking, you will need to replace this part and allow your Kia to run low on oil.

Filler cap

A damaged filler cap could leak oil onto the engine. If you find oil on the Kia Soul's surfaces around where the filler cap is located, then there is a good chance that your filler cap is coming loose.

Leaking hoses

If your Kia has any leaking hoses or gaskets, you'll need to replace them right away. These hoses are designed to carry oil to different areas of your vehicle, and you'll need to make sure they are secure and not leaking.

Oil filter housing gasket

If your Kia is burning oil, there may be a small leak where the oil filter attaches to the engine block. This will result in oil being burned during your engine's combustion cycle. In addition, the gasket around here may need to be replaced if it has any damage or is deteriorating.

Oil dipstick tube seal

The oil dipstick tube seal may have come loose or is broken, causing oil to leak into this area. You'll want to replace the seal if it has any damage or is deteriorating.

Cooler line

If your Kia is burning oil, you'll want to check the cooler lines. It could be that one of these lines has come loose or is leaking and allowing oil into the combustion chamber.

Oil separator

The oil separator drains used engine oil from the crankcase and sends it back to the engine through a return line. If the oil separator is leaking, it can cause low oil pressure and result in your Kia burning oil.

Drain plug

If the drain plug is loose or coming out, you'll have an oil leak which can cause your Kia to run low on oil. You will need to replace this part if it's coming out and allow your engine to burn oil.

What causes a Kia Soul to burn oil?

The most common burning oil causes include damaged valve seals, piston rings, or PCV valves. This can happen because of low oil levels in the engine, leaking hoses, an oil filter housing gasket that is worn out, sealing surfaces are damaged due to wear and tear, or the drain plug is loose or coming out.

The type of oil that you use can also contribute to your engine burning oil. For example, if you are using synthetic oil and change it too frequently, it can smear the cylinder walls with residue deposits, reducing the gap between them. This leads to leaking hoses because they cannot create a tight seal and results in your Kia burning oil.

Is it normal for a car to burn a little bit of oil?

It's typical for vehicles over the 100,000-mile mark to burn oil. But if your Kia burns oil often, it may indicate a problem within the engine.

In addition, if your car is new or newer, and it is burning oil, then that is a warning sign something is wrong. This is why it's essential to monitor your oil consumption and know where the leaks are coming from.

Are there any recalls on Kia Souls?

In recent years, the Kia Soul has had recalls on the engine. The reason has to do with components failing that have caused an engine fire. In addition, the piston oil rings have been reported due to mistreatment, which caused engine damage.

Other recalls have been related to the steering having issues. For example, the pinion gear has been separated from the steering gear assembly.

How much does it cost to fix a car that's burning oil?

The price to fix burning oil in a car is a common question. However, it's tough to say exactly how much it will cost because of many variables. For example, the size of the engine and how many components are leaking.

The costs to repair could be in the thousands if it includes, blown head gasket, cracked engine block, or other related repairs. However, minor repairs such as a leaking oil filter or oil pan can be in the low hundreds of dollars or less.

For this reason, it's best to get a quote from a professional who can guide you through your options.

If you have an older car burning oil, then it may be time to trade or sell that car for something more reliable or reliable enough for what you need it for.

Final Thoughts

If your Kia Soul is burning oil, it can be a costly problem to fix. But there are other reasons for your car to burn oil as well. For example, you may not have an immediate reason but need to replace parts that are worn out.

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