Hyundai Repair: timing belt, timing belt replacement, hyundai sonata

Question
how do you know when it is time to change your timing belt for a 2001 hyundai sonata?

Answer
Hi, Michael.  I'm sorry it's been so long for you to receive an answer.  It appears that a previous expert left and the questions he didn't answer were simply dumped into the system.  I didn't check here very frequently because the questions all appeared to be at least six months old.  Now, I'm trying to whittle them down little by little along with my other questions.  If you are still having the issue and need more information than I've provided, please follow-up with me.

Unfortunately, it's typically impossible to tell the timing belt is ready to fail.  Timing belt replacement is recommended at 4 years or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.  Since you have a 2001 Sonata, you're already over the four year mark.  If you have the 2.5 liter V6, there's no reason to be particularly alarmed, but of course, the longer it is before the timing belt is replaced, the greater the chances of a failure.  Timing belts on the 2.4 liter four cylinder often fail within close proximity of the maintenance interval.  If you have the 2.4 liter engine, you're already on borrowed time and should replace the timing belt as soon as possible.