My 2003 Sante Fe has developed a rattling sound in the engine. The oil level has been good. I took it to a dealer for diagnoses and they told me that the engine was gunked up and the timing "chain" tensioner couldn't move to keep it tight and it was rattling. They put some engine cleaner in and changed the oil and wanted me back in 500 to clean it again. I did that again, but the rattle is still there. It gets a little quieter after I have driven it for a while.

My question is doesn't the Sante Fe have a timing belt?
If that is the case what do you think the rattle is?

 

it uses timing belt, mostly like your oil pump is going bad. does it happen when you first start up?

 

Yes it does. It is at its noisiest at start up then is quieter after warmed up. But it is still there.

 

how many miles are on your car? it should still be under warranty. have them keep the car over night so they can hear it first thing in the morning.

 

hey i forgot to ask you what size engine is in the vehicle, 2.7L or 3.5L? if it is the 2.7 it could be the lifters. i'm thinking it's 3.5L that's in your vehicle.

 

Hi
You have a chain that drive one of the cams on the cylinders and this have some problem the tensor end tha chain,
i have change this on around 20 Santafe and Tucson with V6 engines , is the sane problem world wide