Engine lifespan

Spoke to my dealership mechanic today. The reason for the severe use maintenance service is due to my use and location's type of weather. They use Castrol Edge full Synthetic oil between every 6,000 to 8,000 Km and at every 32,000Km they do an Upper Cylinder pressure clean with the engine running for an extra $150.00 which takes about 3/4 to 1 hr. I did some research and found this maintenance would keep the engine running at optimal efficiency and longevity. This would take care of the inevitable carbon build up on the intake valves therefore eliminate potential problems or possible engine damage due this carbon buildup . This problem is with ALL Direct Injection engines. So you pay now or pay a lot more later!!!

@Knubearit thanks for the info. Good to know 👍🏾

Sounds like the V6 Kia's are good for a lot of miles (at least the port injection ones).

Just an update since my last post. Telly now has 56,000 on it with no issues.

I wonder if an Atkinson cycle engine like the Telly's would have less problems with carbon build up?

As I understand it, some unburnt fuel is pushed back past the intake valve before it closes with an A cycle engine. That fuel might help to clean carbon deposits?

It does help somewhat but not to the extent that some will make you believe. That statement is according to my automotive engineer friend.

Good info. Thanks.

RebelShadow, did you do you first Telly oil change at 7500 miles? And are you using Mobil One?

My 22 telly hasn't had any issues and I do keep on top of the oil consumption (none) and the tailpipe (clean). But I do change the oil every 5k and use only top tier gas. So far, so good.

I'm a newly purchased used 2020 KIA Telluride owner who based his purchase decision on experience with virtually the same 3.8L engine installed in my KIA 2017 Sorento. That car was totaled in a non injury accident cause by a double trailered rig pealing off the side of that car. At the time of that accident the engine/car had recorded 215K miles of uneventful use with an initial set of plugs changed at 120K miles. I was getting a combined city-road mileage when the accident occurred of 26.5/gal. We live in the high desert north of Los Angeles operating the vehicle with the lower air density found at 3000 ft. above MSL with temperature variations from the mid 20s to 110 F in the summer.. Our usage averaged 25,500 per year with much high speed (think 75 MPH) drive on LA freeways. We used non-detergent gas nearly 100% of the time.

So what do I attribute what many would say is my good luck. First is my switch to 100% premium synthetic oil at about 75K miles with regular oil-filter changes at 7K. Second the use of detergent injector and valve cleaners every 5K or so. This is a must when using non-detergent gas. One issue did arise around 185K miles. I started to get knocking within the catalytic converter assembly. The use of a special detergent targeting the oxygen sensor and the convertor itself (or so I was told) cured the problem immediately, a $30 fix. Finally, I have an excellent set of local mechanics who tended to that car. KIA only saw it once in it's life time and that was to replace the battery under the new car warrantee (partial coat reduction).

So why did I go to the Telluride? Well my wife voted for more interior room. I like some the added safety features we got with the Telluride. We shall see over the next year or so. I will be adding injector cleaner to the gas today to our just recently purchased Telluride. Wish us good luck!