the second owner of a 96 accent with 123k and it uses 1 quart of oil every 2 tanks of gas. The original owner said the timing belt has never been changed that she knew of. The valve cover gasket was leaking but I changed that and it still using oil. Is it possible the timing belt could have something to do with the oil use?

I'm the second owner of a 96 accent with 123k and it uses 1 quart of oil every 2 tanks of gas. The original owner said the timing belt has never been changed that she knew of. The valve cover gasket was leaking but I changed that and it still using oil. Is it posable the timing belt could have something to do with the oil use?

Timing belt wouldn't have anything to do with the car using oil, but I would change it as soon as you can. We just had an '02 Sonata 2.4L in here with 117k miles on it with the original belt, and it finally broke. Which bent all 8 exhaust valves. I don't think the Accent is an interference engine, but I can't remember exactly, but it would be wise to change it anyways.

will do thanks for your help

will do thanks for your help

The timing belt should definitely be swapped out but if the car is burning that much oil, I wouldn't spend a lot fixing it. If it is an around-the-town vehicle it should be okay but once they start to burn oil, good things don't follow. As to the interference engine. I am not a tech but I do believe the Hyudai 1.5 L engine will in fact have valve damage and all if one of the two timing belts break. (I believe there are two belts - I will eat my hat if I'm wrong and all and certainly admit to the possibility). Get the belt(s) from Hyundai even if you have someone else swap it out. My mechanic said that the generic belt(s) did not work and he was forced to get from Hyundai. I had a water pump that I put in at 60,000 with timing belt change go and just redid belt again since I figured they had the patient saying ahh and all. There are also some oil additives that say that they can help you burn less oil. I don't know what to suggest but the timing belt is important because if it goes, your particular car at that point would be toast and not worth fixing to the best of my knowledge. I'm no expert but I've had a few cars and my first car was a Toyota that I bought for $300 and took out on the LIE for a jaunt. The oil pressure light went on after about 2 miles. I pulled over and there was no oil in the engine. I filled it up with 5 quarts of oil and headed home. By the time I got home (2 miles away), the car was again out of oil. I thought it had a leak but, the engine was completely fried. My first lesson in car ownership. I hope this helps you out. The guy is right on the money about swapping out that timing belt. That is mandatory. All the best. :smokin:

(I believe there are two belts - I will eat my hat if I'm wrong and all and certainly admit to the possibility). Get the belt(s) from Hyundai even if you have someone else swap it out. My mechanic said that the generic belt(s) did not work and he was forced to get from Hyundai.

On the 1.5L there is only 1 belt. On the DOHC motors, there is sometimes a 2nd belt that goes between the cams, and the timing belt runs just one cam. Then there are some motors with a balance shaft belt as well. The 1.5L Accent only has 1.

As far as wrong belts are concerned. The aftermarket companies are still selling the '95-'99 Accent timing belts for the 2000+ cars as well as if they were the same. The timing belts changed for the 2000+ Accents, but the aftermarket companies are still listing the same belt for all year Accents. I've been working for Hyundai for over 3 years now, and I have gotten complaints about if from small shops about not being able to get the right belt since day 1, and I still get them today. You would think after all these years the aftermarket companies would get this right, but they still can't figure it out. I run into situations like that on all different kinds of parts. Oh well, makes me more money.

Looks like it's time to eat my hat and winter is a coming. I would take John's advice on this one. I think we all agree the timing belt needs changing. I wish you the best.

John - I only have 2 hats - 1 wool and 1 nylon. Take your pick. I think the 2 belt deal my mechanic spoke of might very well have been the wrong belt because he did mention at first something about 2 belts and then he told me he had to send back and get belt from Hyundai. The last time I just told to replace the timing belt as he was putting in a new water pump and I put in a Hyundai one because the one I put in 28,000 miles before sprang a leak. I stand corrected. Peace. :smokin:

John - I only have 2 hats - 1 wool and 1 nylon. Take your pick.

Your in New York, so you better take the wool. Too bad you aren't in Patriot or Baltimore territory, I'd send you a Colts hat to wear.

all cars burn oil its not the car its self burning the oil its the oil burning off as it avaparates so dont worrie about it as long as there is no smoke your fine

My accent has 128,000. I believe my oil loss is due to blowby on the pistons. To slow it down I use engine honey or other thick gooey treatment. THen I only have to add a quart every 1500 miles. One note, when replacing the oil you need to replace the engine oil treatment along with it or else you back to spitting out oil. Also I switched to synethic to help extend the life of the engine as well as slow down the leakage.