# 2008 Kia Spectra engine knock and white smoke when trying to start **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** spectra, kia\ **Created:** [April 19, 2019, 4:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768 "2019-04-19T04:41:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/23 "2019-04-19T17:42:08Z")
The timing belt may have failed. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/24 "2019-04-19T20:40:23Z")
local yards want 400 or so for those motors. seems pretty cheap. i assume car was cheap also? you paid retail for it since it was running. now it might be worth \<500 as is. putting in a used motor might get you going but you or a shop has to do it. vs walking away ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/25 "2019-04-19T20:58:08Z")
> [@Cavell](#): > > if we are talking air compressor air compressor . . . ?! šŸ˜• ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/26 "2019-04-19T23:11:15Z")
OP said his compression is 90psi. I said 90 psi sounds good for a compressor. Not a car. Hard to understand? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/27 "2019-04-20T00:09:18Z")
opā€™s was initially talking about the apparently junky car his grandfather bought Then I asked him about compression And he answered by posting some numbers Why would he now post numbers for some mysterious air compressor . . . ? I understand you alright, but I guess I donā€™t understand your sense of humour . . . šŸ˜• ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/28 "2019-04-20T02:35:03Z")
> [@Brandon\_Lee](#): > > I went to Auto Zone and test the compression of all 4 cylinders. From left to right, the first 3 show a healthy 90psi but the last one shows 50psi. Did an AZ tech tell you that 90 psi indicates healthy compression for your Spectra? Might they have been giving the compression numbers measured in units other than psi? B/c 90 psi isnā€™t a healthy compression measurement. I would guess however that the engine would start with 90 psi, just not have as much power. 50 psi probably would be very difficult to start, but you only have 50 psi on one cylinder I guess. When I read your description of a knocking sound and smoke I was wondering if you had a starter motor problem of some kind, like maybe the starter gear isnā€™t properly meshing with the flywheel teeth, causing the starter to bind up or something. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/29 "2019-04-20T14:22:46Z")
The engine dies while the car is on the road. A faint knocking sound is heard while turning the engine over. Low cylinder pressures. These are good clues and have to concur with @Nevada_545, this issue has all the signs of a slipped timing belt and possible valve damage. I assume this an interference engine and that would be bad news if this is what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Brandon\_Lee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brandon_Lee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/30 "2019-04-20T14:57:36Z")
Hey @Cougar. He purchased the car from his ex wifes sister. The timing is tight on the top but unsure on the bottom. Iā€™m afraid to keep starting it because of the white smoke when I try to start it. It will not run so i cant take it to the mechanic. I do have a mechanic thatā€™ll look at it for free but i have to get it there first. If i can just start it and get it 1 mile up the road, thatā€™s all I want lol ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/31 "2019-04-20T15:52:00Z")
I have a suspicion that this story isnā€™t going to end very well from what you stated about the symptoms of the trouble. I do believe that the timing belt has slipped and if the engine is an interference engine that would mean damaged valves. If this is the case, even putting in a used engine as a replacement would be pretty expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Brandon\_Lee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brandon_Lee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/32 "2019-04-20T17:17:34Z")
Well thatā€™s not good news Haha. Iā€™m going to have a mechanic come to my house and take a look at it. Everyone has good suggestions. Thanks a lot everyone. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 5:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/33 "2019-04-20T17:39:25Z")
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but db4690 is correct. Those compression numbers flat out suck. Just some food for thought. Maybe the reason the engine died on the road is because it was severely overheating and this was ignored or overlooked. That could cause a permanent or even temporary engine seizure. The knock could be a rod bearing knocked out due to coolant diluted motor oil OR by engine coolant entering a combustion chamber. Both could be caused by a failed head gasket due to overheating. The engine is toast. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/34 "2019-04-20T19:57:58Z")
The best and cheapest scenario . . . the timing belt skipped a tooth . . . as mentioned earlier . . . and no valves were damaged If op were that lucky, then the car good be ā€œresurrectedā€ for a modest price But Iā€™m assuming op is paying a shop for the cost of the repair(s) . . . or at least the diagnosis as for the used engine . . . I wouldnā€™t even consider it unless somebody showed me that the donor engine was running. And even then, Iā€™d want to see an oil pressure gauge hooked up, as well as see them perform a compression test. And thatā€™s not even the end of it. Iā€™d want to have the timing belt on the donor engine replaced before calling it good. What if you install a running used engine, only to have the timing belt go bad the next month . . . then youā€™re right back where you started ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/35 "2019-04-20T20:00:30Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > Iā€™d want to have the timing belt on the donor engine replaced before calling it good. What if you install a running used engine, only to have the timing belt go bad the next month . . . then youā€™re right back where you started I would have assumed thatā€™s a given. Are there really people who would install a used engine and _not_ replace the timing belt and tensioner? It is practically no effort to change these parts on an engine thatā€™s sitting on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/36 "2019-04-20T20:01:36Z")
> [@bcohen2010](#): > > re there really people who would install a used engine and _not_ replace the timing belt and tensioner? I know plenty of people whoā€™ve done just that ā˜¹ ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Brandon\_Lee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brandon_Lee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/37 "2019-04-20T20:33:59Z")
Just so everyone knows, the car is mine now for $100. So honestly, price isnā€™t much of an issue lol. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/38 "2019-04-20T20:35:44Z")
> [@Brandon\_Lee](#): > > Just so everyone knows, the car is mine now for $100. So honestly, price isnā€™t much of an issue lol. See if a salvage yard will come and haul it away for a couple of hundred dollars and call that a great investment return. ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Brandon\_Lee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brandon_Lee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/39 "2019-04-20T20:36:45Z")
Would everyone recommend calling a salvage yard for junking it or parting the car out? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/40 "2019-04-20T20:38:53Z")
> [@Brandon\_Lee](#): > > Just so everyone knows, the car is mine now for $100 How did this come to be . . . ? Did you buy it from your grandfather for $100 . . . or is that how much your grandfather payed for the car last weekend ---
**Author:** ![Brandon\_Lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Brandon\_Lee](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brandon_Lee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/41 "2019-04-20T20:40:42Z")
Salvage or parting is the last resort. $100 is what I paid for the car from my grandpa. I will try and fix it in every way I can in my budget. But if I cant, then Iā€™ll either sell it as is, part or salvage. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/43 "2019-04-21T00:43:44Z")
> [@Brandon\_Lee](#): > > $100 is what I paid for the car from my grandpa. A salvage yard will probably pay you more than that for it on the spot, so unlikely youā€™ll be losing any cash on the purchase price, even in the worst case scenario. Checking for slipped timing belt seems worth a shot, and likely wouldnā€™t take a mechanic more than an hour or so, $100-$200 fee. Fixing the problems, whatever they turn out to be, will likely be more involved. But if you can get it back on the road and reliable even if you spend $1000 in repairs for a 2008 Kia, still a pretty good deal. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768.md?page=3)