Kia
Some 2001-06 Optima models with 2.5-liter or 2.7-liter engines built betweenOct. 7, 2000, and Aug. 31, 2005, plus 2005-07 2.7-liter Sportage SUVs built between Oct. 28, 2004, and May 18, 2007, may hesitate under moderate throttle.
According to Kia, the drivability problem may be accompanied by an illuminated Check Engine light, with trouble code P0123 stored in the PCM. A glitch in the throttle position sensor signal is a likely cause of all the problems. Replacing the sensor with an improved design, part No. 35170-37100FFF, should eliminate further trouble.
General Motors
The owner of a 2007-09 Pontiac Solstice GXP may come into your store complaining that the overheat warning lamp is on and/or that there is insufficient heat coming from the HVAC registers.
One likely cause for the overheating, reports GM, is an airbound cooling system. The air frequently ends up as pockets in the heater core, which results in the lack-of-heat complaint. Installing a new check valve, part No. 20876185, into both ends of the coolant return hose should eliminate the trouble.
Ford
Some 2003-05 F-Super Duty pickups and Excursions, as well as 2004-05 E-series vans (all with the 6.0L diesel) may suffer from repeated accessory drive belt failure.
Ford says the problem only afflicts trucks built before 1/1/05, and is most likely due to a damaged or warped water pump pulley. Installing a new-design pump pulley, part No. 5C3Z-8509-A, should put the wear issue to rest.
"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].