Timing belt replacement after 4 years regardless of mileage?

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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.)
 
if you have the manual that came with it it should state in there..
 
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.
 
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... " =)
 
hyundaitech said:
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.
Click to expand...

OK, will do.
I'd also replace the hydraulic tensioner when replacing the timing
Click to expand...
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.)
 
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).
Click to expand...

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).
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
thx for reply guy, but we dont have power stearing we have 'arm strong' stearing =)
 

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