Understanding GDI Engines - Are They Doomed?

What are GDI engines? Are they good or bad? Learn the general functions of GDI engines and whether or not you should stay far away from them. Separate the truths from the misinformation. Pictures not mine. Sources:

[eddielawson]

We have a 2013 Kia Rio we bought new, with 1.6 engine . It has 225, 000 miles and just replaced the alternator for the very first time. Replaced battery for the second time, 3 months ago. Replaced the plugs once. Took Pcv out, shook it, it rattled, put it back in . Its been the most trouble free car we've ever owned ! For $13, 000.00 it has been a great car . I used the same synthetic, conventional oil blend as the dealer used when i had them change it when it was under warranty. Changed my own since. There was one recall on the part in the steering wheel, CLOCK SPRING, which had caused the trip odometer and steering wheel controls to stop working. It was replaced free of charge. Also have never added more than half a quart of oil , between changes, and only did it 3 times. I give the car 5 stars after 10 years and 225, 000 miles.

[justinbelk]

I just bought a 2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro with a 2.5L GDI engine. Found out about the carbon issues afterwards 😮. But now I know GDI’s are common & not singular to Kia’s. Long story short, my engine isn’t on the list of motors, even on Kia’s own list. I’ll stay on top of my maintenance and I do majority of 90 highway miles daily so I’m expecting positive results. I’m loving my Kia. I definitely think they’ve improved their quality immensely. Time will definitely tell & I’m optimistic 😊.

[arthurmroyce]

My GDI engines each have a catch can which helps. I try to run top-tier gasoline and I do an intake valve cleaning chemically once a year. I am hoping this pushes out walnut blasting, but time will tell. My "N" engine ran really great after the CRC Intake Valve Cleaner. I switched last year to the Berryman since it is a single person operation as opposed to the two-people required for the CRC cleaner. Well aware of the issues and I am trying to address them early. These days I think all engines are GDI.

[PALongknife]

My mechanic is telling me that they're seeing the oil consumption issues that Hyundai\Kia is notorious for in other brands of cars now, notably Honda and Volkswagen.

[romanuswilliam]

By far the best way to explain the issue. The key is with whatever car you buy, have a general knowledge of your specific unit before buying & do maintenance something before the recommended time (for prevention).

[alexthetrucker]

intake sludge comes from the pcv(crank case ventilation)aswell

[kkhalifah]

New engine oil standards have been developed to deal with the inlet port coking issue and LSPI associated with TGDI engines. The API SN+ standard has started to address these problems, the subsequent API SP and the brand-new API SQ standards focus on them even more.

Something about these oils being able to handle heat better and thus suffering less evaporative losses, which means less crap being sucked out via the PCV system back into the inlet ports where they coke up the whole place.

But here's a question - diesel engines have long used direct injection which is necessary by design, so how come you don't hear the same problems with diesel engines?

[Brettdyt]

Another Con is reliability, complexity, and maintenance. The GDI systems require low pressure fuel pumps, high pressure fuel pumps, high pressure lines, etc. They have to increase the pressure to 800 PSI. This a lot more stuff that can fail and increases maintenance costs. More of these cars will end up in the junkyard.

[carlosgarnica]

I own a sonata, and I change my PVC valve every year, I change my oil every 3 thousand miles, so far so good.

[CloudD]

2016 Kia Forte Koup SX owner here with only 44k miles (I am the second owner).

I only use Premium fuel, and it's a 1.6 Gamma Turbo. Do I got anything to worry about?

[TheChgoMob]

This didn’t end with the Hyundai 2019 2.4L engines. It’s happening in my 2021 Tuscon and it started before the 32, 000 mile mark.

[calvinpeterson]

Our 2017 santa fe with the 3.3L has rod knock and now is at hyubdai we are waiting for them to say yes for engine replacement we gave them all off our service history. Apparently the service advisor said aug 5th they increased the warranty for our model and engine to 150k and 15yr due to
This failure so hopefully we get a new engine but i feel like the engine treatment is something they should recommend from factory like you mentioned.

[tonywhite]

Port injection spray gas on the back of the valves unlike gdi sprays gas directly on to the top of the piston

[dronepilotrc]

Bought my Kia in 2021 used and 1 month later the engine threw a rod through the block. I wasn’t pleased at all but was happy to see the engine would be replaced for free. Took 3 months of waiting but I got the new engine and all is well in the world. Have about 10k on the engine and avg about 24 mpg in the city which is pretty good in my opinion.

I change the oil every 5-7k miles and use full synthetic only. So far so good with the new engine 😎

[adamnugent]

I don’t know why this is not a recall? they can do gdi, but they MUST do set of secondary injectors to spray gasoline before the intake valves to wash. So easy to do but yet they don’t. Definitely a recall issue. Is there a lawsuit for this issue? I have a 2013 Hyundai sonata and having this exact problem.

[no.yongsss]

Hi Ben, you mentioned in the video that you would not recommend any Hyundai on and before 2019, I have 2020 santa fe having an engine failure. This vehicle is the last model year with the same engine as 2019 and before. My dealer is blaming me for a carbon deposit but I feel like he is talking non-sense. Would you share some ideas when I talk to them? Thanks in advance!

[Scorpio-kdit]

I bought a 2024 Sportage about 6 months ago that has the 2.5L GDI engine but, before I bought the vehicle, I looked up the current specs on the engine because if it was only a GDI, I would not have bought the vehicle. However, the specs indicated both GDI/MPI injection systems, so I felt better buying it.

[SupaPawLovez]

Im thinking to buy new kia carnival model. Does it use GDI engine? Does kia use newer type engine on the latest model? Thx

[alanarmstrong]

Every engine can be a thorn if not maintained properly.!

[RakanAlfuraydi]

I'm thinking about Sonata 2024 but afraid about GDI all i know no more MBI they replace it in 2021 i think and i didn't see or hear anyone having problem with GDI engine