Oil Filter Not Fun To Change!

WhiteSadonaLX · 08-28-2005, 08:55 PM

I've owned Honda, Toyota, Acura, Pontiac, Subaru, and Plymouth vehicles (showing my age) and never have I had an Oil Filter as difficult to get to as this Kia Sedona! Wow. All I can say is, "What were you thinking Kia??"

I changed my oil after 722 miles (for that new engine break-in) and didn't realize where the Oil Filter was until this weekend. (I know, my own fault for not looking before I purchased the van) Man, am I disappointed. You see, I do ALL my own maintenance on my vehicles and love when manufacturers make it easy to get to things. But this Kia, forget it! The Oil Filter is rediculous and also the Transmission Drain Plug is right above a huge metal cross beam! What the?? So much for draining my tranny fluid! I will have to get an extraction pump for this. The Oil Filter is very difficult to turn because it's hard to reach your hand up through the metal cross member. Grrrrrr I managed by using one of those ratchet style, round oil filter removal tools but this is also hard to manipulate up in there. It took me over 30 minutes to get the filter off because I had to learn how to get in there, plus it was VERY tight. Way too tight to turn by hand. So, once the initial tightness break happened I could then get it off a little more easy. Still, it was a pain in the neck. More so than any other vehicle I've ever owned.

It's just a good thing I only need to do an oil/filter change every 7,500 miles once I get on my scheduled program. These first oil changes are just for the new engine wear. Then, using a good synthetic oil and good filter a 7,500 change is fine. Thank goodness!!

The tranny fluid changes will have to be extracted. I don't see a good way to drain it without making a total mess.

This is a shame. Manufacturers should seriously take this into consideration when designing a vehicle for those who still like to get their hands dirty.

Anyone else have any issues? Or, do you have any secrets to the madness of the oil filter and tranny fluid drain plug position?

Murphwiz · 08-29-2005, 05:36 AM

Kia are a PITA with anything like that...
You want fun.. try changing the filter on a carens diesel... I have never seen such a cruddy setup for maintainence as I have on Kia, one department designs engines, other does chassis, most car makers make them talk to each other to make issues for service items a easy task.. not at kia.

seacam · 08-29-2005, 07:54 AM

Hello Murphwiz,

After reading White Sedona's post I'm left wondering if I should tackle the oil filter myself on my Sedona?

I supose I won't know untill I try it but is it something that can be done working off a pair of road ramps?
Seacam

Murphwiz · 08-29-2005, 11:49 AM

The Diesel sedona is actually one of the easier ones, filters at the front hanging down.
My tip is, get the filter so it's just loose enough to turn by hand, do not undo further or it will get VERY messy!
Then punch a hole in the bottom of the filter with a screwdriver or similar, then turn filter slightly to let air in top and oil to drain fully from filter.
That way it won't run down the sides, over your hands, down your arm etc etc.. much cleaner!

seacam · 08-29-2005, 01:24 PM

Hello Murphwiz

Thanks for that.

I can see it but how do I get to it, from the front or below?
Seacam

Murphwiz · 08-29-2005, 05:28 PM

Below.

seacam · 08-29-2005, 05:46 PM

Thanks Murphwiz
Seacam

WhiteSadonaLX · 08-30-2005, 07:59 AM

The initial change was more difficult because the filter was on there way too tight. Once you do get it off and change it out you can turn it by hand to fit tight and then next change it won't be so bad. It's still hard to get to though and I shake my head sometimes why Kia did certain things the more I look around my van. Oh well, as long as I can change my own oil and extract the tranny fluid for those changes I'll be ok.

seacam · 08-30-2005, 08:34 AM

Hello White Sedona,

I must find out if the V6 is larger then the diesel engine.

I agree, Kia didn't put a lot of thought into engine layout.

I have read some of you American Sedona owners have tackled the oil filter & trany' fluid change and your driveways have ended up looking like an oil pit in the Sahra.

As for the timing belt, forget it, even seasoned Kia mech' head for the hills when they see a Sedona.

I can't remember if it was Spec SX or some such brave sole who attempted and succeded with a TB change but it took 'em 8 hours.
Seacam

beyond_help · 09-01-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seacam@Aug 30 2005, 08:34 AM
Hello White Sedona,

I must find out if the V6 is larger then the diesel engine.

I agree, Kia didn't put a lot of thought into engine layout.

I have read some of you American Sedona owners have tackled the oil filter & trany' fluid change and your driveways have ended up looking like an oil pit in the Sahra.

As for the timing belt, forget it, even seasoned Kia mech' head for the hills when they see a Sedona.

I can't remember if it was Spec SX or some such brave sole who attempted and succeded with a TB change but it took 'em 8 hours.
Seacam

Quoted post

to put this in some sort of prespective as a reteired forklift mechanic i have changed filters on forklifts that could not be seen just felt, and even had to remone the filter bracket assy holding the filter on to get to it, you don't put forklifts on lifts. so no matter where they put it on a car to me is a piece of cake

and as for timing belts it took me a day and a half to put a timing belt on a mitubishi engine in forklift another