How to Change the Timing Belt on a 1999 Through 2000 2.4 Hyundai Sonata

After reviewing the service history on the 1999 through 2000 2.4 Hyundai Sonata, the manufacturer has recommended that the timing belt be replaced at 60,000-mile intervals. This engine is identified as an interference engine due to its tight clearances. This means that, in the event of timing-belt failure, there would be significant internal engine damage. During the changing of the timing belt, never turn the crankshaft with the belt removed, to prevent the possibility of engine damage.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metric wrenches
• ¼-inch drive sockets
• ¼-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive sockets
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• Screwdriver
• Phillips-head screwdriver (.030 shaft)
• Cotter pins
• Vise
• Floor jack
• Lug wrench

1. Remove the accessory drive belts and the water-pump pulley. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolts and the pulley. Support the engine with the jack and remove the right engine mount. Remove the timing belt covers.

2. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the cut-out "V" in the crankshaft sprocket lines up with the arrow line on the block at the 11 o'clock position. This puts the Number 1 cylinder at top dead center. Check that the dowel pins retaining sprockets to camshafts are at the 12 o'clock position. Remove the tensioner bolts and the tensioner, followed by the timing belt.

3. Place the tensioner in a vise and compress the rod into the tensioner body slowly, so the seal isn't damaged. Once it is compressed, insert a cotter pin through the hole in the body and rod to hold it in the collapsed position until reinstalled.

4. Loosen the bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley. Insert the hydraulic belt tensioner and torque the bolts to 20 foot-pounds of torque. Check all the timing marks, the crankshaft sprocket and the oil pump and the cam shaft sprockets. To get the oil-pump pulley perfectly aligned, remove the plug directly below the pulley, insert the Phillips-head screwdriver into the hole and rock the oil-pump pulley back and forth slightly until the screwdriver slides into a hole. The screwdriver should be inserted 2.36 inches. The marks on the oil-pump pulley and block should be perfectly aligned. Reinstall the plug.

5. Install the timing belt counterclockwise, starting on the right side, away from the tensioner, and make sure the tension is tight on the right side between the crank and the cam. Push the tensioner pulley toward the belt and torque the bolt to 40 foot-pounds of torque. Remove the cotter pin holding the rod into the tensioner body and allow the tensioner to put tension on the timing belt.

6. Turn the engine by the crankshaft clockwise two turns, and recheck all of the timing marks. Install all components in the reverse order of removal and torque the crankshaft pulley bolts to 22 foot-pounds of torque.

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