Hyundai timing belt

Hi,

I have a 2002 Elantra and just love it! It's got 63,000 on it and it's time for a new timing belt. Is the timing belt as critical on the Hyundai as it is on the Honda? Do I HAVE to do it RIGHT NOW? I don't have the extra $500 for the job just yet. How much of a risk am I taking by putting this off for a another few thousand miles?

Steve in Madison

yes i believe they are interfirence engines, but a few thousnd mi won't hurt.. also change the water pump

Yes change that timing belt. The water pump I believe is external (it is on the 2001) so not as critical as an internal pump where the labor is almost all paid for when you change the timing belt. I wopuld wait on the water pump.

Most definitely get the timing belt changed unless you want bent valves.

definately !!!!! as poacher said unless you want major damage to engine and wallet.

My timing belt on 95 Elantra is gone in 100,000 km. The car  now has 200,000 km and the teeth on the belt were worn away so the crank would turn but had no teeth to grab on to so it would just spin and not turn the cam. Now Im with the delema of pulling the head off and looking to see what damage if any occured. Its an interference engine I'm told so is there any chance no damage occured is my question???  My other option other than pulling off the head is to put on a new timing belt and tensioner and testing the compression after. NAPA $100 for timing belt kit.

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the water pump should be replaced when the timing belt is done it is not driven be the timing belt but a couple of the bolts are behind it and it has to be taken off to replace the pump thats how my 99 is and i am pretty sure that the 02 is the same way and i think it uses the same part# water pump nut im just going off memory its been about 3 years since i worked with hyundai parts at the dealership
 
 

The engines in the 99 and 02 are essentially the same.  I've heard of people who left the water pump alone at 60k and waited to change it until 120k.  It's good preventive maintenance to do the pump before it goes, especially if working on that part of the engine, but the risk of ruining the engine due to a water pump failure (compared to a timing belt failure) is much lower.  When it goes, if you stop driving the car and get it fix, it should be okay.  When a timing belt goes, the valves start hitting the pistons right away!

Could someone help me find location or site I could get timing diagram for a 1998 elantra

if the belt let go on them 90= 95 elantra and it did not bend valves -you are one very very lucky preson

REPLACE it!

Working here at a dealer, i've seen belts last longer than 60k and break right at 60,001. Major damage if it breaks. $2,500+ is one we had here at our shop.

i would say, get a haynes/chilton repair manual. That would probably be the best bet...