engine
Oil Pump
for 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 · FWD
Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years
Difficulty
Expert
Time
6.0 h
Tools
10
Steps
14
✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.
This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the oil pump on a 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 engine, requiring engine support and timing cover removal.
Warnings
⚠️Engine must be cold before starting. Hot oil and coolant can cause severe burns.
⚠️Ensure engine is properly supported before removing motor mount. Engine falling can cause serious injury or death.
⚠Timing must be maintained during this procedure. Incorrect timing can cause engine damage upon startup.
⚠Do not rotate crankshaft or camshaft independently once timing cover is removed to avoid valve-to-piston contact.
ℹ️This procedure requires partial coolant drain. Have appropriate coolant recovery container ready.
Tools required
Engine support fixture or hoistEssential
Torque wrench (10-50 Nm range)Essential
Timing mark alignment toolsEssential
Oil drain pan (6+ quart capacity)Essential
Floor jack and jack standsEssential
RTV silicone gasket makerEssential
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Parts
- Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pump O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
- Engine oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
- RTV silicone sealant (engine rated) × 1 — Use OEM specification
As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Fluids
- Kia Genuine 5W-20 engine oil — 4.5 qt
- Hyundai/Kia Long Life Coolant (Green) — 2 qt
Preparation
- Ensure engine is completely cold to touch
- Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from terminal
- Raise and secure vehicle on jack stands rated for vehicle weight
- Remove engine splash shield/under cover
- Place oil drain pan under engine
- Mark hood hinge positions and remove hood for better access (recommended)
- Relieve residual fuel system pressure if equipped with GDI
Procedure
- 1Drain engine oil and coolantRemove oil drain plug and drain engine oil completely into suitable container. Remove oil filter. Drain approximately 2 quarts of coolant from radiator petcock or lower radiator hose to allow timing cover removal. Install drain plug with new crush washer.Torque specOil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
- 2Remove accessory drive belt and componentsRelease belt tensioner and remove serpentine belt. Remove alternator mounting bolts and position alternator aside without disconnecting wiring. Remove A/C compressor mounting bolts (if equipped) and secure compressor aside without disconnecting refrigerant lines. Remove power steering pump and bracket if necessary for access.
- 3Support engine and remove right side motor mountInstall engine support fixture across engine bay or position floor jack with wood block under oil pan to support engine weight. Remove right side engine mount bracket and through-bolt. This provides access to timing cover area.⚠️Verify engine is securely supported before removing mount bolts. Engine must not shift during work.Torque specMounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
- 4Remove timing cover and verify timing alignmentRotate crankshaft to TDC position cylinder #1 (timing marks aligned). Remove crankshaft pulley bolt and pulley. Remove timing cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence. Carefully remove timing cover - it may require light tapping. Verify timing chain alignment marks are correctly positioned before proceeding. Take photos for reference.⚠Mark or photograph timing chain position on sprockets before any further disassembly. Loss of timing reference will require complete timing procedure.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 5Remove oil panRemove all oil pan mounting bolts working from outside edges toward center. Carefully separate oil pan from engine block using plastic wedge or soft mallet - do not pry excessively to avoid damaging sealing surfaces. Clean all old gasket material and RTV from both pan and block surfaces using razor blade scraper. Surfaces must be completely clean and dry.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 6Remove oil pump pickup tubeRemove the two bolts securing the oil pump pickup tube/screen to the oil pump body. Carefully extract the pickup tube assembly. Inspect pickup screen for debris or damage - replace if clogged or damaged.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 7Remove oil pump assemblyRemove the oil pump mounting bolts (typically 3-4 bolts) securing pump to engine block. Carefully pull oil pump straight out from block - pump drive engages with crankshaft and must be withdrawn carefully. Remove and discard oil pump O-ring from block recess.ℹ️Note rotational position of oil pump drive engagement for installation reference.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 8Clean and inspect mounting surfacesThoroughly clean oil pump mounting surface on engine block. Remove all old gasket material, RTV, and debris. Inspect crankshaft drive engagement area for wear or damage. Clean oil pump pickup tube mounting area on new pump if necessary. Ensure all bolt holes are clean and threads are undamaged.
- 9Install new oil pumpInstall new O-ring on oil pump body, lightly lubricating with clean engine oil. Apply thin bead of RTV sealant to oil pump mating surface where specified by manufacturer. Carefully align oil pump drive with crankshaft and slide pump into position ensuring proper engagement. Install oil pump bolts and tighten in crisscross pattern to specification.⚠Ensure oil pump drive fully engages crankshaft before tightening bolts. Partial engagement will cause immediate pump failure.Torque specOil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 10Install oil pump pickup tubePosition oil pump pickup tube/screen assembly to oil pump body. Install mounting bolts and torque to specification. Verify pickup tube is properly seated and oriented - screen should sit approximately 5-8mm from oil pan floor when pan is installed.Torque specOil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 11Install oil pan with new gasketApply thin continuous bead of RTV sealant to oil pan sealing surface or install new gasket per manufacturer specification. Position oil pan to block and hand-start all bolts. Tighten oil pan bolts in crisscross pattern from center outward to specification. Allow RTV to cure per manufacturer instructions before adding oil (typically 30-60 minutes).ℹ️Do not over-tighten oil pan bolts as this will distort pan and cause leaks.Torque specOil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
- 12Reinstall timing coverInstall new timing cover gasket or apply RTV per manufacturer specification. Verify timing marks remain aligned. Position timing cover carefully to avoid disturbing timing chain. Install timing cover bolts and tighten in proper sequence to specification. Install crankshaft pulley and torque bolt to specification.⚠Verify timing alignment one final time before fully tightening timing cover. Incorrect timing will cause engine damage.Torque specCover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
- 13Reinstall motor mount and accessoriesReinstall right side engine mount and bracket. Torque all mounting bolts to specification. Remove engine support fixture or jack. Reinstall power steering pump, A/C compressor, and alternator with proper belt routing. Install and tension accessory drive belt.Torque specMounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
- 14Refill fluids and perform initial startInstall new oil filter. Add 4.5 quarts of Kia Genuine 5W-20 engine oil. Refill coolant system with Hyundai/Kia Long Life Coolant to proper level. Reconnect battery. Perform initial start and immediately verify oil pressure light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds. Listen for abnormal noises. Allow engine to reach operating temperature and check for leaks at oil pump, pan, and timing cover areas.⚠️If oil pressure warning light does not extinguish within 3 seconds, immediately shut down engine and investigate. Running without oil pressure will destroy engine.
Reassembly
- Reinstall engine splash shield/under cover
- Reinstall hood if removed, aligning to marked positions
- Double-check all fluid levels after engine reaches operating temperature
- Perform test drive and monitor oil pressure gauge/warning light operation
- Re-check all fasteners for proper torque after initial heat cycle
- Inspect for leaks after 24 hours and after first 100 miles of operation
Verification
- Oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds of startup
- No oil leaks present at oil pan, oil pump, or timing cover after reaching operating temperature
- No abnormal engine noises during operation (knocking, rattling from timing area)
- Engine runs smoothly with normal power delivery - verifies timing is correct
- Oil pressure gauge (if equipped) shows normal pressure at idle and under load
- No coolant leaks from timing cover area after full heat cycle