QuestionQUESTION: What is the procedure for changing the timing belt on the santa fe 3.5 motor? should I change the water pump and belt tensioners? I think it would be a good idea. Will hyundai still warranty if I don`t use hyundai parts?
ANSWER: This is quite an involved procedure, and not something most do-it-yourselfers will tackle. Because of the time involved in providing a step-by-step procedure, I'm going to request that you review the procedure in the shop manual at www.hmaservice.com. (Since the 3.5 engine was introduced late in 2003, enter 2004 Santa Fe as your year and model. This will ensure you have access to the necessary service information). If, after reviewing the procedure in the service manual, you feel you'd like to tackle this yourself, please do follow-up and indicate that you will indeed be attempting this procedure. I'll be happy to provide a step-by-step procedure if that's the case.
Hyundai will not provide any warranty on parts not manufactured or distributed by Hyundai. If you use a Gates timing belt, for example, and you have a problem caused by the belt, Hyundai will not cover the failure under warranty.
Whether you have anything to gain by replacing the water pump or using factory parts is dependent on a few things. Are you the original owner? If so, the water pump is covered under the powertrain warranty for 10 years/100,000 miles. Presuming this is the original timing belt replacement at 60,000 miles or four years, there's little reason to replace the water pump. Also, as long as you replace the timing belt with a factory belt at the required maintenance interval, Hyundai will also cover that under the powertrain warranty. If you're not the orignal owner, you'll need to consider how much of the 5 year/60,000 mile warranty you have left as a partial guide for what you should do.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I have been fixing cars for for over 25 yrs rebuilt many motors, along the way. I dont think it will be impossible for me to do. Just time consuming as you stated. I am the original owner the vehicle has 70,000 miles on it. Can you help me? Thanks, Joe Marino
AnswerNo problem, Joe. If you haven't done so, I still encourage you to check the procedure at www.hmaservice.com. Although I've replaced many 3.5 timing belts, I've only done it once in a Santa Fe. Reviewing the procedure there and using your good sense during the job will help you get out of any problems my recommended procedure will get you into. At the very least, it's my recommendation to save the water pump for the next timing belt replacement. Water pump failures on this engine are rare, and if it fails within the next 30k, it'll still be covered. If it fails after that, you can just do your next timing belt replacement a little early.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Jack the right front and support with a jack stand.
3. Remove the under engine cover, if present.
4. Remove the right side splash shield.
5. Support the engine with a floor jack and a block of wood.
6. Remove the engine cover.
7. Remove the engine mount.
8. Remove the 10mm bolt attaching the power steering pressure line to the body.
9. Remove the alternator-A/C belt.
10. Remove the power steering belt.
11. Remove the power steering belt tensioner.
12. Remove the alternator-A/C belt idler pulley assembly.
13. Remove the crank pulley.
14. Remove the upper timing covers.
15. Remove the lower timing cover.
16. Unbolt the alternator from the engine and move forward. Depending on date of production, the bottom bolt hole may be a slot, allowing you to not entirely remove the bolt.
17. Remove the 5 bolts attaching the engine mount bracket and remove the bracket.
18. Rotate the engine to align the timing marks.
19. Unbolt and remove the timing belt tensioner.
20. If reusing the tensioner-- I recommend replacement-- compress in a shop vise and pin it in place.
21. Remove the timing belt.
22. Install the new timing belt, starting at the crankshaft and working counter-clockwise. You can use spring-type clips to hole the timing belt on the cam sprockets and a socket wedged between the belt and the oil pump housing to keep the belt from slipping off the crank sprocket. You'll notice that some of the camshafts have moved. You'll need to be sure to realign as necessary as you install the belt. When going around the water pump pulley to the rear bank, you'll probably need to turn the rear bank intake cam slightly clockwise to be able to take up the slack in the belt and align the cams.
23. Install the tensioner and remove the pin.
24. Rotate the crankshaft two turns and recheck the timing. If not correct, return to step 18.
25. Install the mount bracket.
26. Install the timing covers.
27. Reattach the alternator.
28. Install the idler pulley.
29. Install the power steering tensioner pulley.
30. Install the crank pulley.
31. Install the power steering belt.
32. Install the alternator-A/C belt.
33. Install the engine mount.
34. Install the engine cover.
35. Reattach the power steering hose.
36. Install the splash shield.
37. Install the engine under cover.
38. Install the wheel.
39. Lower the vehicle.
