Is the timing chain tensioner an issue on the 2007 Sonata?
I just bought mine two days ago and read about it here, but all I've seen is posts from people with '06 models.

Also my V6 engine is covered with powdery white dust. I assume it's oxidized aluminum. Have any of you had to clean this off of your engine? What did you use?

This car lived in Ohio for a year and a half. That sort of worries me, but the undercarriage is clean and looks like it's undercoated.

 

Possably. The attachment is the initial TSB issued by Hyundai on this matter in October, 2006. It indicates the problem can exist in both 2006 and 2007 model years maunfactured up to August 4th, 2006. So early 07's may be suspect if the start up noise exists. Unless your new Sonata is showing symptoms of this problem, I doubt Hyundai will take corrective action.

[IMG]local://upfiles/4972/253869A493B54BA6A71EA4184C0A3A4B.jpg[/IMG]

There have been a couple of revisions to this TSB, mostly discussing diagnosis and replacement procedures. The latest TSB to address this issue (#08-EM-001-1) is 13 pages long. These can be found on the Hyundai service site at http://www.hmaservice.com/.

I've seen this on used cars I've purchased that came from Minnesota and Michigan, both of which are states that salt the roads quite heavily during the winter. I power washed the undersides of both cars, but used a garden hose to just rinse off the engines and transmission cases being careful not to force water into ignition components. Over time the white discoloration has turned a dark gray or black. Neither engine has shown any long term problem from this. The Minnesota car has had several electrical wiring failures from what usually appears to be corrosion at exposed connectors (mostly lights). The Michigan car has turned out to been very reliable.

 

Thanks ken. I'm not otherwise a neat freak, but I can't stand a dirty engine.

 

I understand. I use to power wash my engine bays on a regular basis, but took out a coil pack on one of my Fords once by doing so. Unknown to me, the phenolic housing was cracked and the power washer just finished the job. It would have been short-lived anyway, but I'm less aggresive about keeping the engines clean as I once was.

 

Does anyone know tricks to get at the timing chains/tensioners without removing the engine? YT video shows it can be done, but there must be some tricks to it. Thanks

 

Never mind, I found the answer. No the engine does not need to come out. However my rattle is on the other side, by the torque conv/starter area.