01 Sonata timing belt install

[chrisxb]

I need info on installing a timing belt in a 2001 Sonata. Even though the wife's car is only 3years old with 50k miles on it "America's best Warranty" won't cover it. The 10year/100k apparently only covers stuff like broken crankshafts, and the 5year/60k bumper to bumper only covers belts for 12mos/36k. America's best warranty my ! Anyhow I need the torque specs etc. and if anybody has done one I would appreciate any advice on things to watch out for. I'm not looking forward to this job but there's no way I'm paying the dealership $600.00 to do it. After this pile of crap is fixed I'm going to sell it and buy something more reliable like an '83 Toyota Celica with 250,000 miles on it.

[mrrob]

Your best bet is to visit your local parts store and buy a repair manual specific for your car. (Option #1)

Forget having the dealer install it, open the Yellow Pages up and pick (4) garages out (use your pinky!), Call each shop and give them the (Year/Make/Model/Engine Size), and have the quote you what it will cost for them to install a new timing belt, parts and labour.

Don't forget that the Water Pump may also run off the timing belt so they may include that in there quote. (make sure they tell you this first, so you don't get a surprise later!)

I bet you'll get it done for HALF of what the dealer has quoted!, you'll be happy your wife will be happy and you can watch football all day!

Good Luck

Mr.Rob

Lic Mech Auto/Truck/Trailer Ect!!!

[chrisxb]

Thanks. I haven't seen a manual for this model year and I'm not shelling out $50 for a factory manual. My father in law says his mechanic might give us a break. He is going to talk to him. I haven't looked at the motor yet, I never payed much attention to it when changing the oil, so I don't know if the water pump is driven off of it or not.

[lowsonoma1999]

Originally Posted by chrisxb

"America's best Warranty" won't cover it. The 10year/100k apparently only covers stuff like broken crankshafts, and the 5year/60k bumper to bumper only covers belts for 12mos/36k. America's best warranty my ! After this pile of crap is fixed I'm going to sell it and buy something more reliable like an '83 Toyota Celica with 250,000 miles on it.

The timing belt is a maintenance item. Of course Hyundai isn't going to cover a maintenance item. Just like brake pads, spark plugs, oil, they wear out after time, just like they are supposed to. The timing belt is covered 5yr 60k miles from defects in factory workmanship. Which pretty much means that if it breaks, it's covered. If you are replacing it because of time or mileage, it is not covered. It is a maintenance item that needs to be changed, just like oil and everything else. If you don't change the belt at 60k miles, and it breaks after that, not covered, even it takes the engine with it. If you only have 50k miles on it, and it's broken, check with another dealer because it should be covered. If it's not broken, sorry, it's on you.

Also, is it a 4cyl or V6. If it's a V6, more than likely you are going to need to replace the belt tensioner. It's a hydraulic tensioner, when you take the belt off, most of the time it extends to its max and won't go back in.

[chrisxb]

Originally Posted by lowsonoma1999

The timing belt is a maintenance item. Of course Hyundai isn't going to cover a maintenance item.

I'm sorry but a 3 year old car with less than 60k miles on it should not have jumped the timing belt. They reccomend replacing it @ 60k unless you live in California where law requires that a timing belt last for 100k so manufacturers simply change the numbers in the manual. It is still the same part number. The car has not been mishandled, my wife has never to my knowledge had the accelerator pedal to the floor. It's not normal wear, something is wrong, whether it be engineering,assembly, poor tolerances or whatever. From what I'm seeing on the net this has been a problem with other Hyundais as well. However I don't want to argue about the crappy warranty I just want to know if someone has done the job and any surprises that may have popped up.

[lowsonoma1999]

Have your dealership check TSB # 01-20-002 If the belt jump is on the exhaust cam, there is an updated timing cover that has a guide on it that prevents it from jumping again.

[chrisxb]

Thanks John I'll do that.

[Ferngee]

I have a 97 Hyundai...that I had to replace the fuel pump and fuel filter because of bad gas... I drove it for a day after replacing it ...but the next morning it would not start.. I tried spraying starter fluid in it and it would not start.. I pull the plugs and it was full of fluid..wipe them and tried again..it still would not start... what could be the problem.. Did it jump timing... ???????????what should I do?? Ferngee@aol.com