I have been given a 2002 Sonata Gls v6 by my mother. she had problems with car purchased a new one. The car sat for a year. I found that the heater core was leaking, then put a coupler vavle on the in/out coolant line to the heater core. The car went from running / driving fine with the exception of some stutter when excelerating, to blowing white smoke and staling out. I thought head gasket, bought the kit and called a friend. My friend did a compression test and said that I must have blown a few cylinder rings.
I have a reputable used parts dealer with a number of engines to choose from. ie... (30,000 mi for $750.00) - (80,000 mi for $400.oo)
Money is a HUGE ISSUE for me right now so I'm just going for the cheaper engine. The engine will come with a 3 month warrenty. I want to do this one on my own. I'm no mechanic but I am mechanical.
* Any suggestions?
* Should I spend moeny on a certain manual?
* How difficult is the 2002 v6 Sonata, Am I capable?
* Can you direct me to a source for directions / Diagrams?
* It looked like the trany was side mounted, do have to drop it before I pull the engine?

First time Forum user! I hope this works Thanks for any help "you" can offer, JIM from Levittown PA

 

If you've never done this before, I highly suggest you pay a trained mechanic to do it. Or at the very least get a friend that has done this before to help you.