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...
Which motors include timing chains?
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 fact, in some autos, the mechanic will have to disassemble the entire engine in order to access the timing chain. If the timing chain breaks, it may harm other engine components like the valves, making the repair more involved and pricey.
Are new Hyundai timing chains required?
The timing chain is used each time you use the engine. When should a timing chain be changed? Unless there is a specific issue, the timing chain typically needs to be replaced between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. In higher mileage automobiles, chain problems are typical.
Does Hyundai employ a timing belt or chain?
All Hyundai Elantra vehicles have a timing chain and an interference engine from 2011 to 2021. All Hyundai Elantra vehicles had an interference engine and a timing belt from 1992 to 2010.
For instance, the 2010 Hyundai Elantra 2.0L 4 Cyl. 138 hp (Beta II) option has a timing belt, whereas the 2021 Hyundai Elantra 1.6L 4 Cyl. 201 hp (Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI) option has a timing chain.
What is the price of a timing chain for Hyundai?
Best in Automotive Repair Hyundai Elantra timing chain tensioner replacements typically cost between $871 and $1,023. While materials are priced at $289, labor costs are predicted to range from $582 to $734. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
Has the 2014 Hyundai i30 a timing belt or chain?
Our response: Although the model changed in 2012, which might be confusing some people, timing chains are almost universally used in i30 engines from 2007 to 2017.
Is there a timing belt or chain on the Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson engine alternatives include a timing chain and won’t need to be maintained on a regular basis.
Is there a timing belt or chain on a 2013 Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson’s base engine is devoid of a turbocharger. A 2.0 L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine with 161 horsepower powers the vehicle. Additionally, it has a 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting option called SHIFTRONIC.
There are numerous ways to improve every aspect of your Hyundai Tucson, including the engine. The 1.6 L turbocharged direct-injection engine is found in the Hyundai Tucson Value, Limited, and Limited Ultimate models. The 174 horsepower turbocharged engine is mated to a 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission.
When should a Hyundai Tucson get its timing chain replaced?
Timing chains are made to be extremely sturdy and last the entire life of your car. Having said that, wear and tear will occur—and more quickly in high-mileage vehicles. As a result, it’s wise to change a timing chain every 80,000 to 120,000 miles.
How much does a Hyundai timing chain replacement cost?
A timing chain replacement typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500. (parts and labor included.) The precise sum depends on the make and model of your car as well as your particular region.
Although some timing chain kits can cost up to $500, the timing chain itself is only $100 to $250. All of the gears, tensioners, and sometimes even the water pump are included in a good timing chain kit.
Costs of labor might range from $400 to $1500. It takes a lot of time and effort to replace the timing chain because it requires disassembling many engine components.
Additionally, if the timing is set incorrectly, the engine could sustain serious damage and require rebuilding or replacement. This explains the high labor cost and highlights the necessity of hiring a qualified mechanic to complete the work.
How can I determine whether my car has a timing chain or belt?
Take a brief glance at the engine to see whether it uses a chain or a belt system. It runs a timing belt if the front has plastic coverings since the timing belt is dry and does not require further protection.
How much longer does a timing chain last than a timing belt?
Timing belts typically last less time than timing chains. Timing belts are made of rubber, which isn’t as strong as metal, but chains are made of metal, and this is the simple explanation for why this is the case. Timing belts are not weak, but they will probably need to be replaced at some point, whereas a chain can last the lifetime of the car.
Timing belts typically need to be replaced in the mileage range of 55,000 miles (about 90,000 km) and 90,000 miles (roughly 150,000 km). Therefore, a timing belt is still a very reliable and significant component of your car.
Whether your car has a timing chain or belt, it’s critical that you watch for any symptoms of wear and strain and take appropriate action. Depending on the sort of engine you have, if your timing belt fails, the results could be disastrous. If repairs are too expensive or impractical, you could be better off looking for a new vehicle.
Is replacing a timing belt or timing chain more affordable?
A timing chain is far superior to a timing belt if you avoid selecting a car engine model with a history of timing chain failure reports. The likelihood is that you’ll never need to replace a timing chain, despite the fact that it might be far more expensive to do so.
On the other hand, if your car has a timing belt, you’ll probably need to replace it two or three times during its lifetime.
This adds up, and if the timing belt needs to be replaced three times, the overall expense may be more than $2,100! Furthermore, there is no reason to continue using a timing belt in a modern car because timing chains are now equally as quiet as timing belts.
Nevertheless, whichever option you choose, be sure to adhere to all service intervals to keep your car operating as it should.
Keep in mind that many contemporary car models have timing chain issues, which may necessitate replacing the timing chain. This is frequently more expensive than changing the timing belt. Therefore, before purchasing your car, you should look up the number of reports of timing chain failure for that particular engine model.
Owner and primary author of Mechanicbase is Magnus. He has been a technician for more than ten years, the majority of which he spent honing his skills in complex auto diagnostics and troubleshooting. Automotive diagnostic technician certified.
Before buying any newer car or suv, have it checked out. I don’t think this would be a good car to buy. Some of the newer CHEVROLET TRAVERSE v6 suvs have timing chain problems. My friend owns a 2009 with only 122,000 miles on the v6 motor and has already replaced the timing chain twice and is still experiencing problems.
What results in timing chains breaking?
Wear and tear is the most frequent reason for timing chain failure. The timing chain strains and deteriorates over time. One of the connections will eventually fail as a result. Timing chain failure can also be caused by contaminated oil and coming into contact with extraneous items.
One typical cause of timing chain breakage is contaminated oil. The oil can degrade and become polluted with particles if it is not changed often enough. This may result in an early breakdown of the timing chain.
If a timing chain comes into touch with a foreign object, it may potentially snap. Typically, an accident or engine issue is the blame for this.
What occurs if the timing chain malfunctions while you’re driving?
An engine with a broken timing chain will either not start or fail while being driven. The engine won’t start if the belt is already broken since there isn’t enough compression. The pistons will sustain damage by coming into touch with the valves if it breaks or leaps while being driven. The actual valves will bend, possibly ruining the engine. The belt may damage other components of the engine if it were to flail around while leaping because it had become loose. Contact a licensed mechanic for an inspection and repairs if your engine won’t start or begins to drive erratically, signaling it may be about to fail.
How frequently should a Hyundai Tucson’s timing belt be replaced?
Although timing belts are important, they don’t necessarily need to be replaced on a regular basis unless specifically advised to do so in your Hyundai owner’s manual. Timing belt replacement is advised by certain automakers between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, whereas others don’t.
How much does it typically cost to replace a timing chain?
How much does it cost to replace a timing chain? Timing chains can be changed by a professional for $1,600 to $1,800 or you can do it yourself for $600 to $800. The cost is significant because it’s challenging to replace this component.