2006 Sonata Overheating problems

[ncarun]

I seek advice regarding my new 2006 Hyundai Sonata overheating problems.

I bought brand new car from Hyundai Tempe on Nov 20 2005. I put on about 5000 miles on the car till today.

Last week after driving the car around town for about an hour, I hear loud bubbling noise from the car front and see white smoke coming out. I see that the temp guage is showing max temp. I got the car towed to the dealer and had it repaired - broken thermostat and cooling fan.

This week the same things happened again after driving about 4 miles on the freeway. Same loud bubbling niose and white smoke and temp guage showing max.

Dealer is currently repairing the car. Since the car has gone through 2 over temp cycles, I am concerned about the engine and car life. Both the dealer and Hyundai consumer service only offer to repair the car but have nothing to say when I ask them about the permanent damage to the engine and car.

Please help me on how to go about.

Thanks!

Arun

[Banjoman10]

Sounds like it's not the thermostat...

The dealer should have tested the old theromostat if indeed this was the defective part. I usually test the new one also before installing, that could be no good also, there is a very remote chance that your new one was no good either. The test is so simple and quick, that there is simply no excuse for not doing it. Obviously it was a knee-jerk repair, no thinking of any kind went into it (as usual), just dumb monkey-do work. (BTW: I'm not a mechanic) If it's not the thermostat, it could be either: restricted water passges: in engine (very bad); or in the radiator. The water pump could be defective also, such as a loose impeller.

Remember to research the lemon laws, beyond a certain amount of in-shop down time during a certain period, you're entitled to a new car, or your money back.
Give it some thought also, if the overheating (twice) could have causeed a lasting engine damage, which is not apperent now, but could shorten the life of the unit. (I guess the 100000Mi warranty helps in that direction).

[ncarun]

Thanks very much for your suggestions.

Hyundai service did all sorts of tests. They changed the fan, fan controller, thermostat and almost eveything linked to the cooling system. They drove the vehicle in stop and go traffic for about 150 miles before giving back to me, all soiled and dirty, rubbing of my tears with a full tank of gas.

I seeked the 100000 mile warranty from Hyundai and they have offered me that after much ado and tens of phone calls. However I realized in the mail that it is not transferable if sell it. I am still fighting to get that fixed.

Hyundai consumer affairs' folks suck. They are never on their desk and also they never return you calls. I literally have to take a day off from work to get any thing going there.

After all this, I feel I made a terrible terrible mistake buying a Hyundai. But for the cheap price, everything else - the car, the dealer sevice and consumer service of Hyundai -everything has been pathetic. I had VW passat before for 5 years-I regret everyday for having swapped it.

The AZ lemon law says same problems show happen atleast 4 times before they can help. I pray that the same thing happens two more times and I would walk out of this deal a very happy man.

Thanks again for you suggestions!

Arun