2006 Sonata Oil Change

Hi;

I changed the oil in my 2006 Sonata with a 3.3 V6 engine. Yesterday
all was fine. When I started it up this morning, about a quart or two
of oil was leak spilling out on the ground. The drain plug was fine. I
replaced the oil filter cartridge and both oil rings on it. There
didnt appear to be any oil leaking from the oil filter area. It looks
like it is coming out by the transaxle. Any idea what it could be?

Thanks
Pat

 

Looks like the Soanta is still under warranty - take it to the dealer!

 

Check to make sure it’s not leaking out of the oil filter housing
where the cap installs. Oil that leaks here tends to drip or run off
around where the transmission meets the engine. If not from the
housing, take it in for warranty service

 

One thing I learned the hard way is that you HAVE to replace that darn
aluminum crushable washer under the drain plug. If you don't, I WILL leak.
The stealership wants a dollar a piece for them. If you search the internet
you can find Hyundai filers and the washers as a combo deal.

Tom

 

When I bought the filters at my dealer (8.99) he gave me the washers. I
never thought about it until he handed them to me. If he hadn't, I probably
would have just re-used the original. Actually, no the guy that does my oil
changes would have. He did not have a Hyundai filter as they are not
readily available for his usual sources.

 

Really? I've changed my oil twice and reused the washer and had no
leak. I'm only changing the washer every other change and that is
working fine. I suspect it would last much longer than that as long as
the plug is properly torqued. Most folks overtighten the drain plug
causing the washer to crush unnecessarily and that will cause problems
at some point.

I'm still not sure why Hyundai couldn't use an oil plug like my minivan
that has a little rubber o-ring built in or even like my old Chevy truck
that has a washer that has lasted 13 years and 19 oil changes, but I
digress.


Matt

 

If he lost a quart or two that quickly, he better have it towed to the
dealer. Driving it with that rate of oil lost would likely ruin the
engine unless his dealer is across the street.


Matt

 

You can get the crush washers at Advance Auto Parts. I've also been buying
the filters from the Kia dealer for $6.00 each. I also bought a cheap torque
wrench at Harbour Freight for $12.00. It's funny how what you think is
"tight enough" really isn't when you use a device that tell's you when to
stop. The spec for the drain plug centers at about 30 foot-pounds. I
originally bought it when I put the trailer hitch on my car. The bolts for
that are pretty specific as to how tight to make them.

 

I get them by the bagful from my dealership for no charge.

And it is nice to know that someone else finally is saying this - I got
taken to task on this board for making this claim. Yes, those crushable
washers DO leak.

Good news is that the latest bag I just got from my dealer is not the
crushable ones. Just standard O-rings that should last just fine now.

Tom Wenndt

 

Dump a can of oil sealer and wait for 07 Accord come out.

 

And pay 3 to 5K more (here in province of Quebec, Canada) for less or same
equipment. Good advice, thank you!

BTW... nice nickname... nice addy..., asshole!

Shaman

 

I tend towards the opposite problem. What I think is tight enough tends
to be about 2X TOO tight. I can generate 50 lb-ft with a 5/8"
combination wrench, easily hit 80 with a 3/8" drive ratchet and 120 with
a 1/2" drive ratchet. I need a torque wrench to avoid over tightening
things. My pickup requires 110 lb-ft on the lug nuts and I usually get
to 100 with just an easy pull on the 1/2" drive ratchet. I rarely need
more than another 1/8" turn with the torque wrench to get to 110.

Matt

 

Your right, Matt. I never changed the gaskets on my old cars when I changed
the oil and they never leaked. On my first oil change that I did with the
Hyundai, I followed my usual procedure of reusing the gasket and it pucked
all over my garage. Now all is well. My son's Jetta is the same way. If
you don't replace the brass washer on the drain plug it will leak like hell.
Go figure.

 

Wow, a bagfull for nothing!!! My money-grubbing dealer counted them out and
charged a buck a piece. That was a month after he raped me $75 for a 7500
mile 'check up' which, I found out later, didn't cover a darn thing that
Hyundai required to maintain the warrantee. Hence, I change my own oil,
keep receipts and box ends from the filters, and won't be back until I
really need him.

 

Regarding those crushable gaskets (that I no longer have to deal with, and
as I was told just this afternoon, are being replaced with "standard
O-rings" at all Hyundai and Kia dealers), my rule was to tighten with my two
smallest fingers. It could just barely crush the O-ring until it "just"
seated tight.

It feels almost loose (not too much trouble ever) getting it off the next
time. Which goes to show you how tight some of these bozos tighten these
things at fast oil change places and even dealerships. You would think
SOMEONE would know better.

But when I have tightened it this way, it never has threatened to want to
loosen, and has never leaked because it wasn't tight enough. But those
crushable O-rings did leak every time I tried to re-use them - every time.
I shed no tears that I won't be using them anymore.

Tom Wenndt

 

Are we still talking drain plug here or the filter canister? I can't
imagine a drain plug being only finger tightened and not leaking or
backing out from vibration.

Matt

 

I was going to say the same thing, Matt. ) I don't have enough b***s to
only finger tighten a drain plug......

PS: I liked your other comment about acceleration of 4 versus 6.

 

Sorry, fellas - I guess I do communicate rather poorly. I use my two
smallest fingers at the end of my socket wrench, with the wrench pointing
down. My guess is that I can still put about 20-25 pounds of pressure using
that method, but no more (a torque wrench confirmed that once). And those
two fingers can't possibly over-tighten it. It is tight, and when it is
time to take it off, it definitely takes more than it took to get it off,
but compared to what I have to do after someone else puts it on, it's a
breeze.

Tom Wenndt

 

Whew, you had me worried there for a second that you were a Gorilla that
had learned how to type and change oil!

Matt

 

My fiance has a 2007 Sonata and I'll be doing the oil change for her
soon. I have a Honda and it too requires a crush washer on the oil
drain plug. It is no secret that the more you take that plug on and off
the more chance you have of stripping the threads (too tight) or leaking
oil (too loose). You almost have to have a torque wrench to do it
right.

On my Honda I wanted something that would make this chore easier. I
also wanted to be able to take oil samples now and then for used oil
analysis tests. After dumping the factory fill, I installed a Fumoto
valve and oil changes and samples are now a piece of cake. AND, I never
have to worry about the drain plug again. The Fumoto is there forever.
Some people are afraid the spring will come loose but I can't see how.
Maybe a lot of off roading (which one would not attempt in a Sonata
anyway) might present a danager but they have safety wires to place on
the spring if you off road a lot.

I'm sold on this contraption and went ahead and bought one for her
Sonata (about $30 shipped). The device comes with washers and will work
in any position you want, even upside down. If anyone is interested, I
would suggest getting the one with nipple so that a hose can be attached
from the valve directly to the drain pan. Like I said, nothing could be
easier and you'll never get a leak - if it is installed right the first
time that is.

I know I sound like an ad but I'm not connected with them in anyway; I'm
only suggesting the Fumoto valve as a one time fix solution to the
problem of oil drain plugs and crush washers.

MARTY