engine

Oil Pump

for 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 · FWD

Difficulty

Expert

Time

6.0 h

Tools

Steps

🤖AI-generated, not yet human-verified. This walkthrough was produced by AI and may contain errors. Treat it as a guide, cross-check every step and torque value against the manufacturer's service manual, and stop if anything looks unsafe. This is a moderate-risk job — take extra care.

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

Socket set (8mm-19mm)

Timing mark alignment toolsEssential

Oil drain pan (6+ quart capacity)Essential

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

RTV silicone gasket makerEssential

Razor blade scraper

Pry bar

Oil filter wrench

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

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

1
Drain engine oil and coolant
Remove 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 spec
Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2
Remove accessory drive belt and components
Release 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.
3
Support engine and remove right side motor mount
Install 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 spec
Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
4
Remove timing cover and verify timing alignment
Rotate 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 spec
Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
5
Remove oil pan
Remove 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 spec
Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
6
Remove oil pump pickup tube
Remove 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 spec
Oil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7
Remove oil pump assembly
Remove 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 spec
Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
8
Clean and inspect mounting surfaces
Thoroughly 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.
9
Install new oil pump
Install 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 spec
Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
10
Install oil pump pickup tube
Position 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 spec
Oil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11
Install oil pan with new gasket
Apply 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 spec
Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
12
Reinstall timing cover
Install 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 spec
Cover Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
13
Reinstall motor mount and accessories
Reinstall 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 spec
Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
14
Refill fluids and perform initial start
Install 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