QuestionI live in the Dominican Republic and own an 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder gasoline engine that seized up and is beyond repair here. The timing belts broke at about 50,000 Kilometers causing an exploded piston, destroyed the head, bent valves, bent crank, etc... The mechanics We cannot find a replacement engine here locally. So I need to import one. I am looking for either a new or rebuilt 2.4 liter engine.
Does anyone know of a good source that has a rebuilt engine that can be shipped to me?
I will try to contact Hyundai as well to see about a new engine, but the dealer they have here is totally useless. Thanks for any help.
Michael
AnswerI don't have any information on whether the engines used in other countries are the same as those in the U.S. I don't know the availability of rebuilt engines (Hyundai doesn't offer them in the U.S., but some nonfactory rebuilders may), but Hyundai usually discontinues complete engine assemblies after they haven't been used in production for a few years. After the engine has been discontinued, it can typically be purchased as a short block plus cylinder head. In your case, you'd also need the valves and timing belt. You'd also want to take this opportunity to replace anything on the engine that would be needed soon as maintenance.
If you'd like, I can look up your engine in the parts catalog and see if it's available in the U.S. To do this, I'll need you to follow up with your vehicle identification number for me to check the catalog.
