I have a 2004 U.S. Optima 4 cylinder with manual tranny at just over 60,000
miles. Two weeks ago it started exhibiting strange behaviors right after I
returned from a trip where I allowed my teenage daughter to drive it for a
week while I was gone (she is a very careful driver - I doubt she did
anything to cause this).

1. The radiator fan starts almost immediately after I start the car - within
10 seconds. I hadn't noticed this before, and I would assume it should not
turn on until the engine is warmed up.

2. The heater fan blows air through the vents, but generally - but not
always - airflow drops to almost nothing after a few minutes. The fan
continues to blow, and if I adjust fan speed from 1 through 4 I hear sounds
of the fan's rpms increasing but almost no difference in airflow through the
vents - there is virtually no airflow through the vents at all at any fan
speed. It's almost as if something is blocking the vents.

3. When #2 occurs I can feel warm air through the vents but as described
above it's just a trickle - and it doesn't change when I change fan speed.
I have noticed that if I stop the car, turn it off, then turn it back on
then normal heater/fan operation resumes, but it will malfunction again
shortly.

4. When I am accelerating, and push in the clutch to shift from 2nd to 3rd,
3rd to 4th or 4th to 5th, the engine continues to rev even if I pull off the
accelerator prior to pushing in the clutch. The engine will rev up around
200rpm or so, then subside. Shifting from 1st to 2nd, I haven't noticed
this. I have also noticed that when I pull up to a stop light, the engine
will idle around 1,100-1,200 rpm but gradually drop to 800 where it has
always been.

5. I notice a whine from under the hood that increases as the engine's rpms
increase. As I shift from gear to gear the whine decreases with the
decrease in engine rpms, then increases again as rpms go back up in the new
gear. When I shut off the car the whine gradually decreases to silence,
almost like a turbine spinning down. It's not very loud, but it is
noticeable and I can't remember it being there before.

My odo is at 62,000 miles now. Does Kia cut off warranty right at 60K, or
will they likely cover this as I am right at the mark?

The car is due for its 60K service, but these symptoms don't seem like they
should be related to plugs, wires, timing or other belts - right?

Any ideas or suggestions?

TIA,

Karl Perry

"Karl Perry" <kaNOPerry@SPAMcablespeed.com> wrote in
news:qvGdnY7IiOs-gJHYnZ2dnUVZ_smdnZ2d@cablespeedwa.com:


#1- Radiator fans generally run any time the air conditioner is on,
regardless of engine temperature.

#2 & 3- Your car has a cabin sir filter doesn't it? Check to see if it
is clogged.

#4 & 5- Sounds like a possible vacuum leak to me, which could continue
after shutoff until pressure equalizes.

"Jeff" <j@donotspam.me> wrote in message
news:Xns98407F95FCC5Ejdonotspamme@207.115.17.102.. .

Jeff, thanks for your quick response.


OK. Did not know that.


Sorry ... I'm not familiar with "sabin sir filter." What does "sir" stand
for? Would this be a filter under the hood, or elsewhere?

Karl

"Karl Perry" <kaNOPerry@SPAMcablespeed.com> wrote in
news:CfmdnYtuJOo1sJHYnZ2dnUVZ_uqdnZ2d@cablespeedwa .com:

That's a typo. It should be cabin AIR filter (what Kia calls evaporator
air filter). It is accessed by opening the glove compartment and
pressing in the sides to lower it farther then undoing the damper strap.
Turn the latch on the filter cover counter-clockwise to open and pull out
the filter. They recommend changing it every 20,000 KM (12,000 Miles).

Jeff

"Jeff" <j@donotspam.me> wrote in message
news:Xns98411927E950jdonotspamme@207.115.17.102...

Thanks - I'll check it.

Karl