Kia 3.3L engine oil filter housing - aluminum replacement

[Bailey28]

We own a 2020 Kia Sorento with the 3.3 V6 engine that has a plastic oil filter housing. A few years ago an oil seep slow leak began at the housing to block area. I bought a new O ring for $16 that fits in that area after seeing an Eric O video he did on the same issue. I replaced only the O ring and torqued the bolts. Last oil change I saw the leak has returned. I cannot tell if the housing is bad or if the new O ring is bad.

Lots of sellers are offering an aluminum replacement for the plastic housing. For the price would you buy it? Has anyone done this ?

 

[Capt W]

An OEM part is about $200.00. A Dorman OE Fix aluminum replacement (926-611) is $133.00 on Amazon. Do you seriously want to install a 35 dollar offshore knock-off? For something as vital as the oiling system?? Good luck.

 

[HemiBenny]

If your previous repair lasted a few years before it started leaking again, I would replace the gasket again. It’s not going to change anything if the housing is not the issue. IF the housing were the issue, I believe you would have noticed it before now.
It’s easy to get to, so I’d take a chance on a new gasket. As for replacing it with the item shown, I agree with @Capt W
I subscribe to the “You get what you pay for” ideology on items such as this.

 

[Bailey28]

Well I absolutely would if it is the same as the Dorman part for $100 less. Dorman QC isn't exactly top of the mark these days. It is an aluminum brick bolted to the side of an aluminum block with an o ring in between. How hard could it be?

 

[HemiBenny]

Exactly how long did your repair last before it started leaking again?
How many years?
How many oil changes?

 

[D60]

Poor Chinese QC can screw up things you never thought possible. That said, I'm sure some of the off-brands come off the exact same line as Dorman. The problem is that it's impossible to know which exactly.

Let us know what you do

 

[Trav]

It may be worth $35 just to get a good look at it. If I were to buy this I would measure the inlet/outlets, check the threads and overall quality of the casting, look for any casting debris and use new OE seals and filter. I have replaced many plastic Euro cooling system connectors for years with Chinese aluminum castings and had no issues, they sure beat recycled plastic.

 

[D60]

RA also has an SKP for ~$42 (plus shipping of course) but they are good about honoring whatever warranty there is (12 months in this case it seems):

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

It may be worth $35 just to get a good look at it. If I were to buy this I would measure the inlet/outlets, check the threads and overall quality of the casting, look for any casting debris and use new OE seals and filter. I have replaced many plastic Euro cooling system connectors for years with Chinese aluminum castings and had no issues, they sure beat recycled plastic.

Do you like certain manufacturers for euro cars or do you just roll the dice with what is for sale? The owners of B-series BMW engines are losing their minds over failing oil filter housings.

 

[Urshurak776]

I would buy the SKP from RockAuto. My .02

 

[nobb]

Dodge 3.6 engines have the same problem. Although aluminum is arguably a better material, the problem is you have no idea how the QC is on the knockoff Chinese units. How flat is the mating surface? Did they properly machine out the innards? Many times there machining debris inside, or the innards are more restrictive, etc...

 

[Bailey28]

For $35 I will get it and check passageway size and location, flatness, and for debris as stated above side by side with the old housing. The housing bolts directly to the engine block which is machined flat very nicely. The double O ring is the only thing that seals the oil inlet and return from the filter.

Funny thing was when I took the housing off after finding the leak a few years ago the original O ring was flattened, pressed into the housing and brittle. It was not split anywhere. I'd say that was about 50k miles, it started leaking a few oil changes before 50k. Currently it has 75K and leaking again.

Yes I could have taken the car to Kia and have them warranty it. 10 year 100k powertrain, IF they consider the housing part of the powertrain. I chose to replace the O ring in the driveway during an oil change as I didn't want the car to sit at the dealer for the week it would take to get repaired.



I have bought many chinese knock off parts and either used the entire part or cannibalized the new parts to make the old one work like new again. I have modded china parts to make them fit as well. Most times they work and sometimes they end up in the trash. So much China going on here I should probably paint the house red.

 

[D60]

I once bought the SKP metal t-stat housing for an '04 Ranger 4.0

My only complaint was that OEM had 3 nubs to locate the primary hole (below the t-stat) concentric on the intake. The SKP lacked this and so you rely on the 3 bolts to kinda sorta locate it concentric. In the end it worked but didn't give me warm fuzzies.

Point being sometimes these "improved" parts discard features that may or may not be important

 

[emmett442]

I did, on a 3.3 Kia Sedona. Just last fall. No problems.