EGR Valve Issues Suspected in 2017 Kia Forte with Engine Symptoms

Hey there! Sounds like you're going through what I had with my 2014 Kia Optima not so long ago. Same symptoms - check engine light, car dying on me, drop in power, shaking on idle, and that unmistakable exhaust smell. And your hunch seems spot on, my bet is on your EGR valve too. My EGR valve was stuck, and yes, it's definitely a serious issue. You've got what my mechanic called 'a classic case' of this. The valve controls the emission levels, so when it gets stuck, it can really play havoc with your ride. The fault was diagnosed with an OBD II scanner which read the trouble codes stored in the car's computer. My mechanic had to remove and clean the EGR perfectly using a carburetor cleaner to free it of carbon deposits and gunk. In my case, the valve wasn't completely gone, just got jammed, so cleaning solved the problem. With the EGR valve working properly, my car went back to normal quick - no check engine light or power loss, no shaking or nasty exhaust odor. The same should happen with your Forte. My advice would be to get it checked and fixed as soon as possible. Ignoring it will only lead to more issues, causing more damage to your engine. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the response. Sounds like you nailed it with your guess about the EGR valve. You mentioned getting it cleaned. Looking back, what kinda cost are we talking for the fixing of the valve there? Also, did anything else crop up after getting this sorted, or has your ride been smooth sailing since? Cheers!

Hey, no problem at all! Happy to help. Well, when it came to sorting out the EGR valve issue on my Optima, I ended up coughing 355.00 €. It was a bit of a hit on the pocket, but in all honesty, it's been mega worth it. My mean machine has been purring like a kitten since. The check was thorough, and everything was in order after the fix, so no more nasty surprises or added headaches. Hope this clears things up. Remember, don't leave it hanging. Good luck!

Thanks a ton for your insights. It really validated what I suspected about the EGR valve. And for the cost, guess, I need to set my pocket right. Totally agree, can't afford to ignore it. You've been a great help. I'll take it to the mechanic first thing tomorrow. Appreciate your time. Here's to hoping my ride also starts purring like a kitten soon! Cheers and safe driving!