Our 2003 is due for a timing belt replacement at 60k. Are there any other service issues to be aware of while it is being replaced (opened up), such as water pump or other parts?

Gary

 

The water pump should not be replaced unless it is showing signs of failure. I would have the cooling system inspected, flushed and the coolant replaced. I'd consider having the same done to the transmission. I know the new transmission fluids are remarkable and service intervals have been lengthened (105K on my 08 Sonata with automatic). But I'm old school and I know spent banding material is building up in the pan and on the filter. If the car has been reliable, I would consider it cheap insurance. I would have this service done before the 60,000 mark on the odometer. Your B2B warrenty runs out at 60,000 miles. It would be a shame to have a dealer say "we found such-and-such needs replacing for $1,000 at 60,001 miles", when it would been covered by the warrenty at 59,999 miles.

 

The cars at 59,000 right now and scheduled this weekend for the timing belt replacement. We just has the coolant and transmission flush done. Thanks for your response.

Gary

 

I find that advice to be very contradictory. On one hand you say not to change the water pump before it needs to be but then you say to replace the trans fluid early as "cheap insurance". My personal opinion is to also replace the water pump early as cheap insurance because much of what needs to be removed to changethe water pump is what needs to be removed for the timing belt (at least it is on the 2.7L Delta). If the mechanic is going in there anyway, why not change the pump at the same time. Just my opinion.

While the B2B warranty only covers to 60K, the engine and trans are covered under the 100K drivetrain warranty.

 

waterpump is still under warranty if you're the original owner. hyundai will not replace it unless it's leaking. if you're not the original owner i would recommend replacing it which you will have to pay for.

 

GWFL - I thought my advice was consistant. Suggesting that you "have the cooling system inspected, flushed and the coolant replaced" is what I call preventive maintenence to prolong the function of the cooling system including the water pump, same as what I suggested for the transmission. A competent mechanic should have no problem removing and reinstalling the existing water pump without any adverse effect on it. Besides, you will have to pay for the part and depending on the dealer, possibly a portion of the labor. I called my local Hyundai Service Manager about this. He surprised me by saying they get calls about this matter all the time. He refered me to the HyundaiUSA FAQ site which states:

He said they consider a preemptive water pump replacement before 100k a "customer repair expense", and do charge labor for it even if the timing belt is being replaced. After all, I thought, dealerships are in the business to make money.

I refer you to this thread:

https://www.hyundaiforum.com/m_9453/tm.htm

where Novaresource also suggested a water pump replacement with the timing belt. The individual ulitmately decided it wasn't worth the added cost since the water pump was covered by the 10 year/100K warranty. I would concur. Besides, when a water pump is starting to fail, it almost always presents some fairly obvious signs (bearing squeals, drive belt squeals, coolant drips or slow leaks, coolant puddles underneath the car, engine temp running on the high side of the gauge, the lovely smell of ethylene glycol in the air) before it totally quits circulating coolant or cannot maintain operating pressures. In the end, talk to your service manager and ask what policy they follow. It's your choice to make and be comfortable with.

There are lots of items on the car that may be problems that may not manifest themselves until past the 60K mileage mark and not covered by the 100K warranty. When you take it in for the timing belt, ask for an overall inspection. Yes, you may/may not be charged for the request. Ask the service manager what the policy is. Again, the choice is yours.

P.S. Madindian1 brings up the issue of whether you are the original owner or not, a matter that had slipped my train of thought. His is not bad advice, and should be considered, but if you search for Sonata water pump problems on this forum, there are only a couple of complaints regarding premature water pump failure. So if you are not the orignal owner and the pump shows no outward signs of trouble, the probability of risk from an early failure still appears quite low.

 

I never said the water pump would be replaced for free. Just like the timing belt is not replaced for free. What I said was, it would be a good idea to do it. The labor charges for changing it while doing the timing belt will be less than paying for the labor twice. Yes, if the pump fails before the 100K miles, it would be replaced for free but if the pump died at 100,001 miles, then you would have to pay the labor charge twice.

So my advice is if you plan on keeping the car more than 100k miles then I would suggestchanging the water pump at the same time as the timing belt. If you plan on getting rid of the car before 100K miles, then it would not be worth the extra cost to change the pump.

My feeling is, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Sure, if the pump dies before 100K it would be replaced for free but I would rather pay to have it replaced ahead of time so I don't have to be possibly left stranded or have the car in the shop a second time. But that's just my opinion. The choice is yours.