Why are you blaming Drivetime?
Was the oil full and clean at time of purchase?
Did you ask for compression reads on each cylinder?
If so, were they within spec?
Did you follow proper maintenance procedures?
How often was oil level checked?
Sorry for your negative experience, but is Kia really to blame for how the engine was operated and serviced?
In other posts, you claim pistons are too short...based upon what?
Pistons too short? 65.7 mm on a 77 mm bore is too short?
The Soul motors are not even over square...stroke is longer than bore is wide.
1.6: 77mm x 85.44 mm
2.0: 81 x 97 mm
The Kia Soul 1.6 is a tight tolerance motor
Kia Soul: Piston and Connecting Rod Inspection - Cylinder Block - Engine Mechanical System
Engine Mechanical System. Cylinder Block. Piston and Connecting Rod Inspection
www.kisouman.com
Some M/C pistons are shorter and capable of 2x the RPMs.
Yes, the owner's manual advises to check oil regularly.
Which of the following forum suggestions did you follow?
1. Use 5W30 instead of 5W20 oil
2. Use synthetic oil
3. Use TopTier fuel
4. Pull and "read" spark plugs yearly
5. Check PCV for build-up and replace by ~50K miles
6. Check oil level minimum once a month
7. Change oil at intervals not to exceed 5K miles