Timing Belt

I just got some quotes to replace the timing belt on my 2004 3.5L Santa Fe
with 41300 miles. Doing this to keep up with warranty.

Dealer $740.00 + $100.00 more to replace the water pump.
1st Independent $1025.00 includes water pump
2nd. Independent $ 990.00 includes water pump
Either independent did not seem too eager after finding out what vehicle and
engine it was.

This is in Maryland, How does this compare with the rest of the country ?

Also was Quoted $440.00 for a Tune up, meaning plug replacement. This job I
along with a friend are doing ourselves. There are web sites that describe
it very well about one hour to do it, and I have a shop manual.

Hyundaitech feel free to chime in !

Striker

 

Don't know where in Maryland you are but there's a Hyundai dealer in
Clarksville that has in the past had specials on timing belts for around
$400. You may want to see if they intend to have another soon if you live
any where nearby. Water pump is under 10/100k warranty, wait until next
time to have it done. The plugs are a piece of cake with the internet
photos/instructions. In fact, I had no problems getting the center back bolt
back in even tho they said it was so hard to get back in and leave it out.

 

I am in North Harford County. About 75 miles from Clarksville.

 

Are you sure on this? One of my co-workers was quoted an extortionate
amount to replace it on his (I think) '03 Santa Fe.

 

Our MA dealer had a $400 special about a month ago.

 

Indeed, a Hyundai or Kia is probably not going to bring glee to some of the
independent garages. And unless they have a lot of experience changing
Hyundai timing belts, that is one area I would steer clear of these types of
dealers. Best thing one can do is negotiate the best deal one can from a
Hyundai dealership.

HyundaiTech has confirmed that the water pump is under the warranty. And if
you drive any miles at all, you should have no problems getting another
60,000+ before you have to replace the pump. Agree that it probably IS best
to have it done with the 2nd timing belt.

Okay, now I'm interested since I have a vehicle with that 3.5L engine. What
special tools did you need to reach those back three plugs? You MUST be
mechanically inclined to do the whole job in an hour. I would take one hour
and then some to just replace the front three.

How much was the shop manual and where did you get it?

 

$740 would be about what you'd pay at my employer by the time shop
supplies and taxes are added in. If you're that far up in Harford
County, you might price shop a couple Delaware dealers (can't recall
names). I'm presuming the one you checked was Jones. If you wanted
to trek south on 95, the next closest ones would be Schaefer &
Strohminger and Thompson.

To answer the water pump question posed elsewhere, indeed it is
covered 10/100 if you're the original owner.

On the tune up, be prepared for some frustration getting to the rear
bolts on the intake plenum. Seven 12mm bolts -- four for brackets
supporting the plenum, one for a holder for the EGR pipe, and two for
the EGR valve.

 

Almost as bad as my SHO.

 

Haven't done an SHO, but am familiar with the general appearance of
the original Yamaha 3.0. Didn't look like it was any fun. The Santa
Fe may be even worse, though, because the manifold sits up high enough
to make it difficult to get your hands around the back to access the
bolts there.

 

For Hyundai Accent GS with over 121K miles, I
paid $1065 USD for timing belt, 60K maintance,
and water pump ($93 for part + $103 labor), and
a couple other minor repairs.

Tom in Mesa, AZ

 

Our 2003 Santa Fe was a joy to replace the timing belt after working on
Hondas. Hyundai made places for your hand to fit while working with a
wrench. Hondas, on the other hand, are a royal pain. I've done timing
belts on Accords, Civics, Santa Fe's and one other car I don't recall at
the moment.
1

 

When a timing belt is replaced isn't it customary to replace the tensioner
also ?

$740 would be about what you'd pay at my employer by the time shop
supplies and taxes are added in. If you're that far up in Harford
County, you might price shop a couple Delaware dealers (can't recall
names). I'm presuming the one you checked was Jones. If you wanted
to trek south on 95, the next closest ones would be Schaefer &
Strohminger and Thompson.

To answer the water pump question posed elsewhere, indeed it is
covered 10/100 if you're the original owner.

On the tune up, be prepared for some frustration getting to the rear
bolts on the intake plenum. Seven 12mm bolts -- four for brackets
supporting the plenum, one for a holder for the EGR pipe, and two for
the EGR valve.

 

I had been doing this as a matter of course, but stopped when I
discovered the timing belt tensioner was a powertrain-warranted
component. If you're the original owner and the next timing belt
replacement will be before or reasonably near the 10 year/100k mark,
don't worry about the tensioner. If it fails, Hyundai's on the hook.
If it's your risk, I'd say replace it for the additional $100 or so.