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2006 Kia Rio Engine Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

If your 2006 Kia Rio’s engine is leaking oil...

iFixit Library 2005-2011 Kia Rio Moderate 1 - 2 days Guide 141306

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This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

If your 2006 Kia Rio’s engine is leaking oil from the top of the engine, the valve cover gasket may need to be replaced. This guide will take you through the steps to remove the valve cover, replace the seal using a gasket and a gasket maker, and re-install the cover. The valve cover provides access to the valves and timing mechanisms of your engine when removed. The valve cover gasket seals the cover and prevents oil from leaking out of the engine. The valve cover gasket is crucial to preventing oil leaks. If the gasket is damaged, these leaks can cause your engine’s performance to decrease, or even fail if left unchecked. Warnings Step 16 will have you apply Gasket Maker to the engine block. Use gloves and coverings when handling the Gasket Maker.Steps 15-18 will expose the inner mechanisms of the engine. Dust and other contaminants can damage these components. We cannot recommend leaving your engine exposed for long periods of time. Either be prepared to finish this project in a single sitting or take precautions to cover the exposed engine when not present.As with all automobile work, power off the ignition, engage the parking brake, and disconnect the battery before starting.

Step 1

Repair step

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Open the car's hood using the latch under the steering wheel, next to the door.

Step 2

Repair step

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Remove the battery connection.
Loosen the tension bolt on the negative (-) terminal.
The stock terminal uses a 10mm bolt.
Pull the terminal off the battery and tuck it away.

Step 3

Repair step

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Remove the four bolts with a 10 mm socket.
Take off the dust cover.

Step 4

Repair step

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Remove the air filter housing.
Disconnect the electronics and air intake hoses.
Loosen the tension screw on the air intake hose with a 10 mm socket.
Undo all latches and pull away the housing cap.

Step 5

Repair step

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Disconnect the computer terminals.
Release the tension clamps on the two terminals.
Tuck both terminals out of the way.

Step 6

Repair step

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Unbolt the air filter housing.
Loosen the three 10 mm bolts holding the housing in place.
Each photo shows one of the three bolts.

Step 7

Repair step

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Remove the air intake assembly.
Remove both the air filter cap and the housing.
Avoid getting the air filter dirty.

Step 8

Repair step

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Remove the two 10 mm bolts.
Remove the dust cover brackets.
Remember the orientation of the removed bracket.

Step 9

Repair step

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There are two hoses connected to the valve cover.
Use any set of pliers to loosen the tension clamps on each hose.
Disconnect the hoses by pulling them off their contact points.

Step 10

Repair step

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Remove the air intake pipe.
Loosen the 10 mm tension screw to release the clamp on this end of the hose.
Pull the hose free from the rear intake assembly.

Step 11

Repair step

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Loosen the three 10 mm bolts holding the wire guide in place.
Move the guide out of the way.

Step 12

Repair step

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Remove the two 12 mm bolts from the rear wire bracket.
They may be a little hard to find. Look behind and beside the valve cover.
Move the rear wire bracket to the side.

Step 13

Repair step

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Disconnect and remove the ignition coils.
Remove the four 10 mm bolts holding the four ignition coils in place.
Try to keep the coils connected and in order.

Step 14

Repair step

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Remove twelve 10 mm bolts from the valve cover on the engine head.
Move parts around until each bolt is reachable.

Step 15

Repair step

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Remove the engine head.
Make sure the engine is kept clean. Avoid getting dust or other contaminants into the uncovered assembly.

Step 16

Repair step

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Clean the residue off of the engine block.
Keep the rim as clean and level as possible.
Apply a steady line of gasket maker with a 1/4" thickness around the engine block.
Surround each bolt hole on the block with gasket maker.

Step 17

Repair step

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Insert the engine block seal into the engine head.
If you don't have a valve cover gasket, then you can skip this step.

Step 18

Repair step

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Place the engine head back on the engine.
Potential for device damage: Be careful NOT to get any gasket maker on the exposed assembly.

Step 19

Repair step

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Re-bolt the engine head cover by hand.
Let the seal set for one hour.
Tighten the head cover bolts fully after the seal sets.