I have a knocking in my engine. The dealer says it is piston slapping. The district manager says this is "normal"for a vehicle with 14000 miles. I do not think this is normal. But, the dealer says Hyundai refuses to repair the vehicle. I am now instructed to call Hyunda Consumer Affairs and discuss this with them. Has anyone else had this problem? And can anyone just give me their opinion about this. Thanks

 

What engine? The 3.3L Lambda is known to have timing chain tensioner problems that cause a similar sound. There is a TSB about the tensioner for 3.3L & 3.8L Lambdas. If it's the 2.7L Delta, that is an entirely different engine with a belt instead of a chain. However, in eaither case, piston slap is NOT normal.

 

Here are some thread to read on the. They are for the Azera and the Sonata but they have the 3.8L and 3.3L Lambda engine that could be in your Santa Fe.

https://www.hyundaiforum.com/m_12527/tm.htm
https://www.hyundaiforum.com/m_5666/tm.htm
https://www.hyundaiforum.com/m_8400/tm.htm

PDF files of the TSB's:
http://jerrystout.us/sonata/tsb/timi...0tensioner.pdf
http://jerrystout.us/sonata/tsb/timi...eplacement.pdf

Print them out, take them to your dealer and have them check the timing chain tensioner.