2003–2009 Kia Sorento
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| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge oil filter kit for 2007-2009 Kia Sorento 3.3L V6 (includes O-rings) | — | — | |
| Engine oil, viscosity per owner's manual | — | — | |
| Drain plug crush washer | — | — |
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
Start the Sorento and let it idle for two to three minutes so the oil thins and drains fully, then switch it off. Park on flat, level ground and engage the parking brake. Warm oil drains far more completely than cold oil, but let the engine cool a few minutes if it is fully hot so you do not burn yourself.
Drive the front wheels onto ramps or lift the front with a floor jack and set it firmly on jack stands, chocking the rear wheels. The drain plug on the BL Sorento is underneath, so you need safe, stable access. Shake the vehicle before going under to confirm it does not rock on the stands.
Slide a drain pan under the oil pan, then loosen the drain plug with a socket and finish removing it by hand. Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip, which takes several minutes on the 3.3L V6. Inspect the drain plug threads and crush washer while it drains.
Fit a new crush washer on the drain plug and thread it in by hand to avoid cross-threading the aluminum oil pan. Snug it firmly with a socket but do not overtighten, since stripping the pan threads turns a simple oil change into an expensive repair. Wipe the area clean so any future leak is easy to spot.
Open the hood and find the black plastic oil filter housing cap on top of the 3.3L V6. Unlike older spin-on filters underneath, the Lambda 3.3L uses a top-side cartridge housing you service from above. Identifying it before draining confusion keeps you from hunting underneath for a filter that is not there.
Fit an oil filter cap wrench on the plastic housing cap and loosen it counterclockwise, then lift the cap and pull the old cartridge element straight out. Expect some oil to drip, so keep a rag handy. Note that the 3.3L takes a specific cartridge length, so compare the old element with the new one before installing.
Pull the old O-rings off the housing cap and roll the new ones from the filter kit into their grooves. Lightly coat the O-rings with clean engine oil so they seat without pinching. Drop the new cartridge into the housing and thread the cap back on by hand, then snug it with the cap wrench without overtightening the plastic.
Remove the oil filler cap on the valve cover and pour in new oil of the viscosity specified in your owner's manual, using a funnel to avoid spills. Add most of the capacity first, then check the dipstick and top up gradually to the full mark. It is far easier to add a little more oil than to drain out an overfill.
Start the engine and let it idle for a minute while you watch the oil pressure warning light go out. Look under the car at the drain plug and up top at the filter housing for any sign of leaking oil. Shut the engine off and let the oil settle for a few minutes.
Pull the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it fully, and check that the level sits at the full mark. Add a small amount if needed and recheck. Lower the vehicle off the ramps or stands, record the mileage and date, and take the used oil and old filter to a parts store or municipal site for recycling.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
2011–2015
2011–2015
2003–2009
2016–2020
2003–2009
2016–2020