Timing belt replacement after 4 years regardless of mileage?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by pdp11, Mar 8, 2005.

  1. pdp11

    pdp11 Guest

    Our 2000 Sonata GLS w/2.5 liter V6 was in for minor dealer service
    recently, and the service writer told us that the timing belt should be
    replaced soon despite the car having only 37,000 miles on it -- he said
    the factory requirement is actually "4 years or 50 to 60 thousand
    miles."

    Is this actually the case? (The only recommendation I'd heard
    previously was to replace the timing belt at 60,000 mile intervals.)
     
    pdp11, Mar 8, 2005
    #1
  2. pdp11

    Jody Guest

    if you have the manual that came with it it should state in there..
     
    Jody, Mar 8, 2005
    #2
  3. pdp11

    hyundaitech Guest

    They are correct. The recommended interval is 4 years/60k miles. The 2.5
    isn't particularly known to eat timing belts, so I wouldn't be frantic
    about it, but it's probably a wise decision to do it nonetheless.

    If you're the original owner, the timing belt is covered by the 10/100
    powertrain warranty, provided it was changed at the proper interval. So
    if you're over the four years, your warranty will no longer cover damage
    caused by a broken belt, but once you replace it, it'll cover it for the
    next 4 years/60k (if you're the original owner).

    I'd also replace the hydraulic tensioner when replacing the timing belt.
    They've been reasonably reliable in the last 5 years or so, but having one
    fail can cause your timing belt to slip and damage the engine. Considering
    cost vs. risk, this is a good investment if you're replacing the timing
    belt anyway.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 8, 2005
    #3
  4. pdp11

    Jody Guest

    Hey,

    When they hyun dealer did our Accents timing belt at 96 000 they diddnt
    recommend that we do the water pump or tensioneer.
    I notice this winter (1st since t belt change) that when its cold out i get
    a funny whirring / scratchy / screetching noise that goes away after about 5
    min or so... kinda has bit of a sprockety sound too it.
    does not sound same as a screetching alt belt.
    it is coming from timing belt side of car and not from the alt.
    ive listened with my stethoscope and im sure its from under timing cover..
    do think maybye they tightened soemthing too much?
    thats well over 30 000 kms ago already though..
    we look after her good, i change coolant every year, oil ever 3500 - 5000
    kms.
    45.00 coolant flush is cheaper if it'll make things last longer..
    so you think were ok that they diddnt do the tensioneer and water pump?
    i read alotta conflicting opinions about that subject and confuses me.

    "you can tell a Finlander, but you can't tell em much... " =)
     
    Jody, Mar 9, 2005
    #4
  5. pdp11

    pdp11 Guest

    OK, will do.
    belt.

    How about the water pump, is it driven by the timing belt on these
    engines? (I've heard of water pumps failing and lunching the timing
    belts on some Japanese cars.)
     
    pdp11, Mar 9, 2005
    #5
  6. pdp11

    Jim Byrd Guest

    So this means that my 2001 Hyundai Accent should get a timing belt
    replacement this year? Believe it or not, it only has 12500 miles on
    it (I take the subway a lot).
     
    Jim Byrd, Mar 9, 2005
    #6
  7. pdp11

    RIP NHL Guest

    Here's a question. I'd really like Hyundaitech's advice in particular on
    this. I have a 2000 Sonata which is 5 years old and 60,000 clicks. My tech
    told me to replace it at 96000 clicks. He gave me the service brochure and
    circled it for me but I looked at it and I noticed its 48 months or 96000
    clicks.

    My question is, since I bought this car used and its 5 years old, how do I
    know the timing belt hasn't already been replaced? I have the car fax and
    there are some areas where the car was in for service but it doesn't give
    details on what work was done.

    But, I also have an extended warranty that covers timing belts so should I
    just bring it in for service, have the tech call the warranty company
    (Lubrico) and tell them in needs replacing now?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    RIP NHL, Mar 9, 2005
    #7
  8. pdp11

    hyundaitech Guest

    The accent tensioner isn't hydraulic, and it isn't prone to failure as much
    as the hydraulic tensioners. It's also less likely to cause the timing
    belt to jump, because you'll hear the horrible screeching noise before
    that happens.

    The water pump, although it involves much the same labor as the timing
    belt, is driven by the alternator belt, so if it fails, it won't cause the
    timing belt to jump.

    With these things in mind, I typically don't recommend the water
    pump/tensioner on this vehicle unless I find something wrong with them
    during the servicing. At some point the question gets asked, where do we
    stop hanging additional parts just because we're in there.

    Some people would still replace the water pump at the same time, and I
    understand and support that thinking even if I don't fully agree with it.

    For your car, you'll probably need to pull the timing covers off and see
    where the noise is coming from. You may need to pull the belt and check
    all the pulleys.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 9, 2005
    #8
  9. pdp11

    hyundaitech Guest

    Technically, yes. Although I don't have fear of imminent failure on the
    Accent, considering your warranty and everything else involved, I think it
    still has a good cost/risk ratio. Do I think it would strip or break
    anytime soon? Probably not.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 9, 2005
    #9
  10. pdp11

    hyundaitech Guest

    I'm presuming that's 96,000 km.

    Check the drive belts. If they're cracking, chances are the timing belt
    has not been done recently. If it were, the drive belts would have been
    likely replaced. If you have the four cylinder and can't tell for sure
    whether it's been replaced, replace it. And don't hesitate. The 2.4 eats
    timing belts.

    You should expect to pay for the timing belt. The extended warranty will
    cover it if it fails only if it was replaced when recommended. The
    warranty company will not cover replacing it for maintenance.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 9, 2005
    #10
  11. pdp11

    hyundaitech Guest

    The water pump is driven by the back of the belt, so it's unlikely to cause
    the belt to jump. If you're the original owner, the water pump is covered
    under the 10/100 powertrain warranty, so I definitely wouldn't worry about
    it if that's the case.
     
    hyundaitech, Mar 9, 2005
    #11
  12. pdp11

    Jody Guest

    thanks guy =)
     
    Jody, Mar 9, 2005
    #12
  13. Sure it's not the power steering belt? Mine made an awful noise when it gets
    cold (until I used belt dressing recently) that stops after a minute or so.

    Chris
     
    Christopher Wong, Mar 10, 2005
    #13
  14. pdp11

    Jody Guest

    thx for reply guy, but we dont have power stearing we have 'arm strong'
    stearing =)
     
    Jody, Mar 10, 2005
    #14
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