Recent Feedback
I got the answer I already knew because I had read the manual, and that was disappointing. I was hoping that, with cars that had already been on the road for 9 years and would have a record from which professional mechanics could draw, an expert could therefore be able to report real-life experience with these cars - something like, "most 2003 6-cylinder Sonata's have not experienced timing belt problems until sometime after 90,000 miles."
Country: United StatesMake: HyundaiModel: Sonata LXYear: 2003Engine: 6 cylinder
Hello! Welcome to justanswer!You must be reading the wrong manual.... Here's the info directly from HyundaiClick Here For Picture
No, I wanted to know what road experience showed.
Hello!Usually the belt will go past 60K. Actually over 90 percent of the time they will. The reason they are so conservative about changing it that soon is under the worst conditions it may break right around there. If it breaks, the cylinder heads, both of them get severely damaged and possibly holes punched in the pistons if the belt breaks at high rpms. That repair will cost over $1500 easily. I've seen them go over 120K and not break. Problem is if you make it there, the water pump may fail and make the belt fall off which is the same thing as it breaking. This is why the belt gets done every 60K and a belt and Pump get done at 120K. I am not the original expert whom answered you so please take note of that.
Experience: ASE Master Automobile Technician with over 20 years exp. in this field.