How to Replace starter on 2009 Kia Rio 1.6L Manual

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I drive a 2009 Kia Rio for my daily commute to work, grocery store, and just overall transportation. The Kia Rio is good for reliability, affordability and simplicity. I am able to repair just about everything I need on the Rio including the starter. I was able to get by with a failing starter for almost a year by simply dropping the clutch whenever the starter would fail. Simply get the car rolling, then let off the clutch.

Parts are readily available online for the Kia Rio. So far I have had to replace the starter, ignition coils, wheel bearing, ball joint, and do all of my own oil changes. When I purchased the car it only had 60,000 miles however as of writing this post we are sitting at 127,000.

The starter job was a bit of a challenge. It's underneath the air intake manifold AND the transmission linkage cables. Accessing the starter required removal of the battery, air intake manifold and to access the bolts, it required unhooking the transmission linkage cables and removing linkage bracket bolts.

Upon removing the transmission linkage bracket with 3 bolts I was able to reach the TOP starter bolt with a short extension and swivel with a 14 MM 1/2" short socket. I didn't fully remove the transmission linkage cables, just enough slack to get my extension underneath of them to loosen the bolt.

The transmission cable linkage plate is fastened to the transmission with 3 bolts, accessible via 12 MM socket and extension. The one bolt I had to use a box end wrench and make slow turns. Eventually the bolt came loose despite the cable blocking it's access.

For the bottom starter bolt, I used a 14 MM box end wrench. Due to the nature of the transmission, I was unable to fit a socket onto the bolt however a box end wrench worked perfectly. Using my fingers I was able to feel the bolt, then place the wrench on, hold it while turning counter-clockwise.

Required Tools

• 1/2 ratchet
• 1/2 inch 14 MM socket
• 3/8 inch 12 MM socket
• 1/2 inch extension
• Socket Swivel
• Phillips Screw Driver
• 1/2 socket
• 12 MM and 14 MM box end wrench

Hopefully my experience will save you some time. It took me 4-5 hours and should have only taken 30 minutes. I had to get a bit creative. There are several helpful videos out there, however none of them mentioned the use of box end wrenches or that the transmission cables impede access to the bolt.