Fixing Hyundai 3.3L V6 Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle On Start-Up Part 1

Known issue on 2006-2008 models, timing chain rattle everytime the engine is started, cold or hot.

[@mifix786]

Update: The car was totaled on 05/2024, the engine was still working solid and smooth even after the accident and the parts held up to the day it was totaled

[@notsofast5495]

1) Did you have to remove the oil pan? 2) To charge the tensioner do you have to be concerned with timing marks?

[@johnsonbobo2376]

Thx for the vid dog. What about the oil pump. Is it in the oil pan or attached to the block on the crankshaft like a 5.4 3 valve ford?

[@mifix786]

Thanks for the support! The oil pump is attached to the block and hangs into the oil pan on this engine.

[@sw23971]

I have a 06 sonata 3.3. 156k miles all original.i bought the car with 30 k miles and have used synthetic oil and change the oil filter half way at 12 k miles. The chain rattles at start up but goes away once the engine runs. The car still has great power and averages @ 28 mpg. Recently replaced the alternator. That was not fun. Steering pump is whining. I'm so impressed by the engine, kinda like the old GM 3800 but with much more power. Next up are the axcels and upper control arms.

[@sonofsteve566]

appreciate the video, does not look any different from any other car waiting for timing kit to come in mail....and off to wrenching sometime i wish I didn't have tools and knowledge to do these jobs gets old fixing cars all the time, could not imagine being a mechanic do this stuff everyday,,, please excuse my excitement 😎 any tips before I get started?

[@donnahenthorn7109]

My 2017 3.3 (123k miles), no acceleration going uphill, coasted/sped up going downhill in drive. Made it to my mechanic, put in Park, plenty of rpms. No trouble light. Left it with mechanic, could not duplicate nothing in computer. Had him do brake job (just in time) and oil & filter change. He found metal in the "oil bucket" and a hole in the valve cover from the timing chain. Found/tightened 2 loose bolts thru valve cover, patched hole. Now no more start up rattle. I'm sure I need tensioners replaced. Anything else?

[@Detect-Oregon]

What were the symptoms, consistent rattling like stuck lifter sound? At all rpm’s? Very loud or faint rattle? Thank you!

[@BosVeeze]

How did you remove all that?? You should make a video on a how to get to that point💪🏽💪🏽‼️

[@joenmass]

For the record that is a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe not a 2006 Santa Fe. It was probably built in 2006 but it was the 2007 model. Just so people wont get confused. I notices the headlight assembly at the start of the video and the 2006 still head the older style headlights.

[@51seluj]

Do you have part 3? Or 4? I’m going to try this 😮

[@donjrkocielko9295]

Thank you so much . I am doing thus same job on my Mom's 2007 And I'm having problems removing some bolts but now I know to loosen transmission mount. I have just mount out and jacked up under same side but no room so thank you for video of transportation mount trick

[@mifix786]

Glad the video helped you do the job, how did the whole process go?

[@liljons6753]

@@mifix786 where are you located...?

[@mifix786]

@@liljons6753 NJ

[@liljons6753]

@@mifix786 thanks for answering.....i am 10 hours away 😫😫😫😫

[@mifix786]

@@liljons6753 it's okay you can do it yourself, it's not that complicated, 200$ worth of tools from Harbor freight and a couple days of work, give it a shot and if you need help just ask

[@adventures223]

Is changing the timing chain tensioner the same as the 2.4 liter Engine can't find any videos for the 3.3 liter Engine

[@mark4347]

I am looking at buying one of this generation and want to thank you for putting these videos up showing us your skill and that it can be done this way. Did you have any issues when you replaced parts or chain tooth alignment in that space?

[@mifix786]

Thanks for the support bud!! Appreciate it, to answer your question, absolutely no issues with the parts and timing alignment, it's been over a year now, no leaks or startup noises, if done right it'll be a lifetime repair that will outlast the car itself, go ahead and buy it, very reliable cars, minimal issues, engines are very simple and powerful. Please subscribe if haven't done yet. 👍👍

[@pattycheeze]

@@mifix786 Have you dealt with the chronic valve cover gasket leaks from the left side above alternator?

[@edwardg9695]

Good to know you can do it in the car. Do you have the parts list of what you decided to replace?

[@ricksfixit8577]

I know you said you got your parts from eBay but from what company? Did the parts hold up or were problems encountered later? I need to do this work soon but want to use good quality parts so I don't do this work a second time!

[@mifix786]

Still running strong 4 and 1/2 years later and this car is my daily, the kit I used is ECCPP from Ebay it was $160 back then and I took a gamble because I didn't want to go OEM for $920, it's holding up great

[@ricksfixit8577]

Thanks! Good to know!

[@felixsanchez7090]

Wow I have this engine, 08 tho, you ever have a problem with knock sensor? Got a code after doing the valve cover po326

[@mifix786]

Nope, you may have damaged the sensor, get a new sensor and see if it fixes the issue

[@felixsanchez7090]

@@mifix786 any idea where I can get torque spec for the oil cooler assy thanks!

[@user-ih9uu5bg3c]

can you share the diagram for removing or timing the chain. Please

[@mifix786]

I have it on another laptop that I don't have with me now, once I get back home I'll grab the diagrams for you if you're not in a hurry.

[@user-ih9uu5bg3c]

@@mifix786 sure, thank you so much

[@44125]

Can you link us the parts please?

[@dougs7367]

Ok how about how to but the timing cover back on easily in that tight space

[@Billysbreakdowns]

Thank you for this video as it PROVES THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED EVEN IF NOT COMFORTABLE MESSING WITH TIMING! Incase anyone asks: YES YOU CAN CHANGE JUST THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND SAFELY KEEP/RE-USE ORIGINAL TIMING CHAIN/GUIDES (fixing ONLY what is broken) TO MAKE REPAIR MUCH EASIER FOR DIYers! AS LONG AS OIL CHANGES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DONE AND ABSOLUTELY ZERO SLUDGE IS BUILT UP, and verify there's virtually ZERO SCARING on TIMING CHAIN GUIDE, you can safely say, if it ain't broke don't fix it!! Here is how i know: My mom bought a used 06 Sonata in 07 that was a rental car and had HIGH milage for the age .. soon after the engine began to make this sound, but because oil pressure was still high enough everytime she brought it in, the car NEVER made the sound for the techs to hear. Years pass and i became a mechanic, and FOUND OUT it was related to the timing chain tensioner this entire time! But for nearly 10 years now the sound never increased and stopped once oil pressure kicked in on cold start. Since 07 we always did early oil changes and by now car had 150k miles and needed other repairs, soo i traded it to a friend for a large tattoo, and a large list of new parts (A.C, brakes, tires, entire cooling system) and a list problems i made aware of (suspension/front end, severe paint chipping, and timing chain rattle). He slowly fixes it up and drives it until 100+ miles daily for work. Within 2 years the valve covers, timing covers, and oil pan all have developed leaks around 190k miles. Soo since he had to fix the leaks and replace motor mounts, he did them all at once. While apart we both inspected the timing chain /chain guides and they looked excellent, so to save time and money to replace motor mounts we decided to ONLY replace the tensioner leaving the timing chain and guides in place. And yes we had all the mounts out or loosened as well making it EZ to position the engine for max space making it VERY quick and ez (with the electric ratchet and torque adapter of course haha) Fast forward 5 years and the car has nearly 100k miles more than when we fixed the leaks and is running 100% engine and transmission wise! Just from tune-ups, fixing leaks, doing flushes early, and that one timing chain tensioner.. Since 07 i knew this engine and transmission was something special, but i wouldve never thought it would compare with Toyota reliability! The most unbelievable thing is how the car still had OEM ignition coils and only on 3rd set of OEM spark plugs with 275k miles!

[@ianblank]

How did you manage to remove the balance chain with the jack holding the engine up by the oil pan?

[@mifix786]

I don't get what you mean by removing the balance chain, I jacked up the engine from under the block, the oil pan has to be removed first thing when you start.

[@ianblank]

@@mifix786 oh Ok! I didn’t take it off and had to do it from the top with the pan on. Thanks for your video by the way, it was a life saver!

[@mifix786]

@@ianblank Welcome, glad that the video helped, The timing chain cover sits on the pan, when reassembling everything back together you'll have issues making a tight seal in that area, plus debris might fall into the oil while you're working on the chain. If you haven't put the timing cover back yet, better drain the oil and remove the pan now, then put it back on after sealing the timing cover to the block.

[@ianblank]

@@mifix786 thanks, I cleaned out the oil pan before I put on the timing cover, I’ll have to remove the pan after I’m done.

[@aiiceejew]

He didn't show if he took off the oil pan or not, which would have been interesting to view. Overall good video.

[@adventures223]

Is this the same procedure as the 2.4 liter Engine

[@mifix786]

Most chains/belts work is done the same way across different engine, which usually involves removing engine mounts, jacking up and supporting the engine etc, so in short the two engines are different but the process is about the same

[@adventures223]

@@mifix786 thank you and thanks for taking the time to make videos and teach people that's what makes the world a better place

[@motube2389]

Wondering how many miles on the car ?

[@mifix786]

147k miles then, now at 160k

[@mm7305515mm]

MIFIX Mine now has 198k and it kinda started to start dry for couple seconds so probably the tensioners are going bad. My question to you is, did you just loosen the tranny mount a little and jacked up the car from both sides, the engine and the transmission? Or just the engine side? And how stubborn was the timing cover to get it out after you loosened the bolts, Thanks a lot

[@dmsbears1782]

Where did u get your parts from???

[@mifix786]

Fleebay for 160$, beats the 900$ that the dealer charges

[@dmsbears1782]

Some people was telling me i need a engine then other people was saying it could be fixed afterwards did u have any issues

[@mifix786]

@@dmsbears1782 no issues, drives smooth

[@W.Khairi]

Very cool

[@dougs7367]

Getting the cover plate back on without damaging the gasket paste must be a real bitch though?

[@mifix786]

I was thinking the same, but It was a piece of cake, if you just take your time and manage your space you'll be fine, plenty of space there

[@dmsbears1782]

If the car wont turn over but everything come on would u need a new engine

[@mifix786]

Not always the case, might be something as simple as a bad ground, bad starter, bad relay, all of which are simple and cheap fixes.

[@dmsbears1782]

Fixit automotive i have the same make. And model I literally drove the car turned it off and put oil in it and it would start back up and I was told i needed my timing done but im getting a second opinion

[@mifix786]

@@dmsbears1782 I would start by checking your your grounds, and work it from there, take them off from the body and sand them as well as the contact surfaces on the body with a coarse sandpaper, if it does not fix the issue, check the stater relay, replace it with a new one, if it doesn't start, then remove the starter and take it to Autozone, they'll test it for free.

[@dmsbears1782]

Fixit automotive ok thanks

[@TonyMinchew131]

What the heck is a 2006 HONDA HONDA?