# 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:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**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 21, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/44 "2019-04-21T00:46:31Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > 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. Awesome. I’ll keep everyone posted on what happens. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/45 "2019-04-21T18:48:49Z")
You’ve got my vote. ---
**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 21, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/46 "2019-04-21T20:42:47Z")
I dont mean to sound ignorant, but when you guys say slipped timing belt, you mean skipped a couple teeth or you mean slipped like fell of the gears off on the bottom? ---
**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 21, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/47 "2019-04-21T20:47:25Z")
The belt slipped a couple of teeth possibly which throws the valve timing out and causes things like low compression readings and other symptoms you mentioned. ---
**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 21, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/48 "2019-04-21T20:48:23Z")
Okay thanks for clearing that up. I was unsure. ---
**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 21, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/49 "2019-04-21T20:50:39Z")
The teeth on the belt tear off. Remove the upper timing belt cover and see if the cam gears turn while you crank the engine. ---
**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 21, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/50 "2019-04-21T20:51:42Z")
Okay I’ll definitely check that. I work nights so it’ll have to be tomorrow morning when I check. But I’ll let you know the result. ---
**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 22, 2019, 5:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/51 "2019-04-22T05:09:47Z")
Hey everyone. Just an update. Today I went outside and tried to start the car again. It actually ran for about 10 seconds before shutting off. While it was running, there a screeching sound and then the white smoke started again. It died and then wouldn’t start again. I waited about 5 minutes, tried to start it again, and it started for about 5 seconds this time. Still screeching and still a little white smoke. Hopefully this helps you guys. I seriously appreciate all of your comments and concerns involving my vehicle. ---
**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 22, 2019, 5:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/52 "2019-04-22T05:18:31Z")
Side note, it also will not increase RPM when I put foot on gas while the car is idling. ---
**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 22, 2019, 5:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768/53 "2019-04-22T05:23:33Z")
Sounds like the alternator or water pump has seized, remove the belts and start the engine. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-kia-spectra-engine-knock-and-white-smoke-when-trying-to-start/138768.md?page=2)