2007 DAIHATSU MIRA

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud ticking or tapping from engine on cold start that may persist when warm, Loss of power and rough idle, Check engine light with misfire codes, Increased oil consumption

Fix: KF engines are notorious for lifter/tappet wear due to marginal oiling and high-revving nature. Full lifter replacement requires cylinder head removal. Expect 8-12 hours labor for head R&R plus lifter replacement, valve adjustment, and gasket set.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating episodes, Oil contamination in coolant reservoir or milky oil on dipstick

Fix: The KF three-cylinder runs hot and head gaskets give up, especially if cooling system neglected. Head removal, resurfacing, new gasket set, timing chain inspection. Often discover worn cam lobes at same time. 10-14 hours labor minimum.

Estimated cost: $1,500-2,800

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission slipping or shuddering under acceleration, Burning smell from transmission, CVT fluid dark or burnt appearance, Loss of drive or limp mode, Transmission temperature warning light

Fix: The small CVT cooler integrated into the radiator or external lines fails, causing CVT fluid to overheat and break down rapidly. Requires oil cooler replacement, CVT fluid flush, sometimes transmission mounts. If caught early, 4-6 hours. If transmission damaged internally, you're looking at rebuild or replacement which is often uneconomical.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for cooler/flush; $2,500-4,000 for CVT replacement

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine especially on cold start, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, Rough running or hard starting, Sudden loss of power

Fix: KF engines use timing chain that stretches with age, tensioner weakens. If chain jumps timing, valves can contact pistons causing catastrophic damage. Timing chain replacement requires front cover removal, new guides, tensioner, and chain. 6-9 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on acceleration or deceleration, Needing to add 1+ quart between oil changes, Fouled spark plugs, Carbon buildup on intake valves

Fix: High-revving small displacement means piston rings wear faster. Minor consumption (1 qt per 2,000 mi) is manageable with frequent top-offs. Severe cases need engine rebuild with new rings, honing, and often valve work. Full rebuild 16-24 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500 for rebuild; $150-300/year in extra oil for management

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Visible wobble or separation of outer ring on crankshaft pulley, Vibration felt through entire vehicle especially at idle, Serpentine belt wear or misalignment, Accessory bearing failures

Fix: Rubber isolator in harmonic balancer degrades with age and heat cycles. Replacement straightforward but requires careful removal without damaging crankshaft nose. 2-3 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $300-600