How do you install a starter on a 2003 Kia Rio?

Answer 1

1st disconnect your battery Starter purchased from Auto Zone cheaper than Schucks. Cool thing though if you call Schucks they will get even cheaper than that. I just went with whoever had in stock. (autozone $107 / $56?? core charge) (Tools that I needed. 14mm socket for mounting bolts, 13 mm socket (i thimk for the hot wire on starter), and a drop light. You need to jack up the front end pretty high both sides and put jack stands under each side. (extra precaution I put wood under the wheels because I dont like getting crushed. Slide under your car (bring a drop light) Look up and see your oil filter. Now look left and you will see the starter motor (oh yeah there is a pain in the as s bracket in the way) remove that bracket (14mm should be right) and then remove the bottom bolt of the starter (you may need a long socket extension here 8"?) The next set of bolts you have to get from up above that come from the other side. Get your light in there the one on the left side is easiest so get that last. The one on the right side will have a wiring harness running really close to it. Force your 14mm socket onto it with a 4 in extension. (Oh yeah the extensions that I bought were from Freight hrbor Tools that were wobbler extensions?? So that the socket can roll side to side a bit... I didnt intend to buy them like that..but it was cool that they were like that for this area, but not necessary) Back the bolt off till it spins a free but leav it in the hole. Remove the second one until you hear the unit fall. Fish that pig out of there and reverse steps to put back together. When putting the two bolts from the other side in, dont reef on them to get them super tight, one of mine stripped so get it snug but dont go crazy. Have a couple beers and bit ch about why the Koreans made this thing such a pain the a$$ to work on. Save your core and get $50 back Side not mine went out at 60K and at 55K my timing belt went out. i was a lucky one that it didnt shrapnel and the mechanic that replaced the belt said that 99 out of 100 the whole engine would have been shot. If you are really close to your warranty like over by 4 months and this happens get the Kia rep to replace the belt just to get some satisfaction, because they wont replace the damage engine because the timing belt is your responsiblity. Worst warranty in the world.