Hyundai’s 2.7L V6 engines have a single timing belt, but its 3.3L, double-overhead camshaft engine has a timing chain for each camshaft plus a drive chain for the oil pump. At first glance, a timing chain design enables engineers to reduce spinning friction and shorten the length of the engine as a whole.
Photo 1: Hyundai plans timing belt replacements for its 2009 2.7L DOHC V6 Tucson engines at intervals of 58,000 miles or 72 months.
Whether you like it or not, contemporary technology controls how the independent import repair business operates today. As an illustration, the first “rubber” timing belt I ever saw was on a six-cylinder, single overhead camshaft engine made in the United States in 1968. We laughed a lot at the idea that these gear-toothed “rubber” timing belts would outlast the flimsy supplemental V-belts of the time given our experience.
But to our amazement, timing chains in our service bays were quickly replaced by rubber timing belts. Furthermore, since timing belt changes were frequently planned at intervals of 40,000 to 60,000 miles, rubber timing belts turned out to be a significant profit center. Later, to comply with some state-mandated emissions maintenance intervals, replacement intervals were increased to far over 100,000 miles.
Our two focal vehicles, a 2009 Hyundai Tucson with a 2.7L V6 and a 2007 Hyundai Sonata with a 3.3L V6 give good illustrations of how this shifting trend in engine design may effect how you might be conducting business.
Photo 2: The 3.3L DOHC Hyundai engine used in the 2007 Sonata features one chain for the oil pump and two chains to drive the camshafts. None have set intervals for replacement.
In This Article...
When should a Hyundai timing belt be changed?
It should be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but depending on your car and the belt’s maker, you could need to do it more frequently.
How long do Hyundai timing belts last?
The timing belt of your Hyundai should be changed every 60,000 miles or so. You might also need to replace its water pump at the same time if you frequently travel in bad weather or have a long commute.
What automobiles lack a timing chain or belt?
Timing chains are being installed in more and more vehicles. The majority of Mercedes and BMW vehicles come with timing chains.
A non-exhaustive list of vehicles that can have timing chains installed is provided below:
- many BMWs
- a lot of Mercedes
- Every Cadillac
- 159 Alfa Romeo
- Corvette by Chevrolet
- Duster, Sandero, and Sandero Stepway from Dacia
- Jazz Honda
- Skyactiv-G engine in Mazda
- Every SAAB has a turbocharged engine.
You may physically inspect your car’s timing belt or chain by removing a cover at the end of the engine, consulting your owner’s manual, or asking your mechanic. The timing chain is easily identified by its metal links when the cover is removed with the proper tool, whereas the belt is comprised of rubber and is considerably more flexible.
Ask your mechanic, “How do I know whether my automobile has a timing belt or chain?” if you are still unsure.
You won’t typically need to replace your car’s timing chain. Poor lubrication is likely to have ruined a chain that has to be replaced.
If the timing chain is determined to be damaged, it’s critical that you hire a reputable expert to handle the repair. In extreme cases, the mechanic will even need to completely remove the engine to get to the timing chain. If the timing chain breaks, it may harm other engine components like the valves, making the repair more involved and pricey.
How much does a Hyundai timing belt replacement cost?
Belts don’t cost a much by themselves. Since many pieces must be removed in order to reach the belt, labor is where the true expense lies. Your best chance is to shop about and compare prices, but be prepared to pay anything between $409 and $919. (including parts and labor)
Timing belts or chains—which lasts longer?
Timing belts typically last less time than timing chains. The simple explanation for this is because timing belts are composed of rubber, which isn’t as durable as metal, whereas chains are made of metal.
When were timing belts abandoned in automobiles?
The camshaft or camshafts are mechanically attached to the crankshaft in the majority of piston engines. The intake and exhaust valves are operated by the camshaft, which is moved by the crankshaft and is connected to it by a timing belt, timing chain, or pushrods. These valves enable the engine to expel exhaust gases while also allowing it to inhale air (or an air/fuel mixture).
Rubber belts with teeth, metal timing chains, or a series of gears are the most often used methods of transferring the drive. The crankshaft and/or camshaft(s) are synchronized with one another by the teeth of the belt, chain, or gears, which also mesh with them.
Because the camshaft in many older overhead valve engines is situated close to the crankshaft in the block, it is frequently driven by a straightforward gear arrangement. Since timing belts and chains are better suited for transferring drive over longer distances, they are typically used with overhead camshaft engines. Before the 1970s and 1980s, timing chains were widespread on mass-produced cars, but since the 1990s, timing chains have grown more popular because timing belts need to be replaced more frequently.
Which is more expensive, the chain or the timing belt?
Timing chains are significantly more durable than timing belts. Timing belts use rubber belts similar to your car’s serpentine belt in place of a heavy metal chain. However, a timing belt is hidden under the timing belt cover and difficult to access, unlike your serpentine belt, which is simple to alter.
Even worse, your timing belt needs to be replaced every 100,000 miles. Even though it may seem like a lot, the average cost to replace your timing belt can approach $900, making it a costly repair that you really don’t want to deal with.
However, if you put off the replacement and the timing belt breaks, you risk destroying your engine and incurring replacement costs in the thousands.
Timing chains are more expensive than timing belts, which is why some cars use them instead. Timing belts are far less expensive even if timing chains are much more reliable. This enables the producer to make some cost savings throughout production.
With addition, timing chains used to be much quieter than timing belts, but this is no longer the case in newer cars.
What behaviors does an automobile exhibit when the timing chain fails?
It is possible to encounter misfires while driving if the timing between the valves and pistons is out of whack, which has an impact on the engine’s combustion. A stretched chain can cause a cam or crankshaft gear to skip a tooth, throwing off the timing of the engine. The misfire results from this. Due to impaired engine combustion, a loose timing chain might also make it difficult to start the engine.
Timing chains deteriorate?
If your timing chain is worn out, little metal pieces may come loose and land in the oil pan. When you get your oil changed, if your mechanic finds tiny metal fragments in the oil as it is being drained or in the filter, it may indicate that your timing chain is beginning to fail. However, a number of additional problems could lead to metal shavings in the oil. Contact your manufacturer or service provider as soon as you notice metal in your oil for an inspection, accurate diagnosis, and suitable repair.
A timing belt’s lifespan is 200 000 miles.
That concludes our examination of the timing belt’s nature, operation, and significance. Can a timing belt travel more than 200 000 miles? Not at all. And to be honest, unless you have a junker that you don’t mind giving up, you really shouldn’t try this out in person. Expect severe engine damage if you continue to drive your automobile with a timing belt that is worn out, installed incorrectly, or otherwise flawed.
The cost of replacing your timing belt is by no means a cheap one. You’ll have to pay several hundred dollars, or in some cases nearly or more than a thousand. But this is little compared to the $2,000, $3,000, or even higher needed to rebuild a broken timing belt-related engine that has failed. Who would have thought that this tiny piece of rubber could fail and give you such heartache?
Why do timing chains deteriorate?
Although most timing chains nowadays are built to endure the lifetime of the engine, timing chains frequently fail around the 150,000-mile mark.
Timing chains frequently exhibit certain signs prior to going entirely bad. Misfires and poor idling are typical signs that your timing chain is beginning to break but not yet entirely.
The timing chain can prematurely fail for a number of reasons, the two most frequent ones being low oil levels and engine overheating. The timing chain may expand as a result of these two scenarios’ increased heat and stress.
How long does a timing belt replacement take?
Timing belt replacement is a pricey service. Depending on the vehicle, it is a complex, time-consuming process that can take 4–8 hours. However, if you replace the timing belt before it breaks, you will avoid engine damage and ultimately save money.
How long does it take to change a timing chain in labor hours?
A skilled mechanic should be able to replace the timing chain and all associated parts in between 5 and 8 hours.
A timing chain can it generate a code?
A malfunctioning timing chain may be one of the many causes of the check engine light to come on. To identify the problem’s root cause, a caras computer will flash warning lights that need to be reviewed and scanned for trouble codes. When the onboard computer notices a problem with the emissions system or engine operation, the check engine light may come on. The check engine light comes on and a diagnostic issue code is stored as a result of a stretched timing chain, which also adds to decreased engine performance and increased emissions. The code will need to be examined by a mechanic, who will then recommend the required fixes.
Should I replace my timing belt ten years later?
Your engine’s timing belt is a crucial component. A timing belt synchronizes the motion of the crankshaft and camshaft, enabling the valves to open and close at precisely the right times for your engine to operate at its best.
There are two distinct engine kinds. Getting involved and not getting involved. The timing belt failing or jumping a tooth on the sprocket causes the interference engine to operate. If this occurs, our expert may explain that the valves and pistons have collided and the valves have been twisted.
Your engine will sustain severe damage from the interference if the timing belt snaps. An older car’s timing belt may need to be replaced, which could result in repair costs that are more than the car’s value.
“Your timing cover must be removed in order for you to see the timing belt completely. Because of this, you should consult your owner’s handbook to see whether your timing belt needs to be replaced. The suggested mileage interval for your particular vehicle make and model can be found in your owner’s manual, which is also a valuable source.”
According to mileage, replacement is advised every 60,000 to 150,000 kilometers. The timing belt should be replaced if your car is 6 to 10 years old.