Author Topic: So Hyundai's do break!  (Read 963 times)

Offline aaronk

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So Hyundai's do break!
« on: November 24, 2011, 12:12:17 pm »
Apparently it does happen, Hyundai's do break! Don't get me wrong, we love our 2010 Santa Fe, but on some of the threads I read the brand is portrayed as being incapable of any fault.

So we go in this weekend to get the water pump changed to try and stem the slowly leaking antifreeze from the engine. Over the period of about 6-8 weeks I've added an entire 4L jug of antifreeze to keep the reservoir topped up, so something is obviously wrong. It wasn't pooling, but it was clearly going somewhere. When I called Hyundai to make an appointment they were very friendly and courteous. Having never dealt with a warranty repair before (all of our cars have been used), it will be interesting to see how the whole experience pans out. To kill the time while I'm there I figure I'll take a Veloster out for a spin!

Offline ktm525

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2011, 12:29:07 pm »
Keep us updated with what they find. A leaking waterpump is a dangerous thing. The fluid starts to leak out the weep hole so the bearings aren't washed out. Impending doom on the pump. The lack of fluid is troubling though. No drips when idling in the garage?

Hopefully not a failed head/block/tranmission cooler etc..

Offline aaronk

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2011, 01:04:12 pm »
Keep us updated with what they find. A leaking waterpump is a dangerous thing. The fluid starts to leak out the weep hole so the bearings aren't washed out. Impending doom on the pump. The lack of fluid is troubling though. No drips when idling in the garage?

Hopefully not a failed head/block/tranmission cooler etc..

Yeah so far no drips when idling, I've sat and watched under the vehicle and nothing. As you noted, I'm hoping there aren't larger issues at work - let's hope they get it fixed up and there are no other issues that stem from the leak.

Offline AP

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2011, 01:09:58 pm »
At least it is under warranty.

I am confused by the title of the thread.  I thought the contentious point on this forum was convincing the brand haters that Hyundai's don't break.

Offline articsteve

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2011, 02:20:14 pm »
It wasn't pooling, but it was clearly going somewhere.

You mean no visible leaks whatsoever, no antifreeze smell  ???

If no, then it's either going out the tailpipe or into the crankcase.  Did you inspect the oil stick?

Hard to believe it's a head gasket.

Is the passanger foot well carpet wet?

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Offline aaronk

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2011, 02:50:30 pm »
Would 4L over 6 weeks be a visible drip...drip...drip or more like a drop every few minutes? It's obvious I don't know much about this stuff, but it seems like a fairly substantial issue.

Offline AP

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2011, 03:06:10 pm »
It is possible you are consuming that much through a head gasket.  Not such a big deal provided you never drove with the engine overheating (which you would have known about).  What you want to avoid is having driven the vehicle with anti-freeze mixing with the oil (something you will not have known while doing it).  That is a good way to fry an engine.

Offline bridgecity

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2011, 03:18:33 pm »
Would 4L over 6 weeks be a visible drip...drip...drip or more like a drop every few minutes? It's obvious I don't know much about this stuff, but it seems like a fairly substantial issue.

I have a very slow leaking gasket on the coolant crossover on my Pilot.  We're talking about an ounce a week.  I can smell it, and once in while I can see a drop or two on the garage floor.  If you're consuming 4L over 6 weeks, you should definitely see/smell something if its not getting burned up/mixed with other fluids.
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Offline articsteve

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2011, 07:22:22 pm »
Very interesting situation.  Why did you mention water pump?  Was that your guess or was that what the dealer said?  4 litres out of a water pump and no evidence or smell  ???     

BTW, what's the mileage?

All the oil services done at the dealer I trust and on time?  No Jiffy Lube BS.

You still have the car?  Go out and check the oil.  If it isn't milky brown you're good.  If it is, you're getting a new motor.

If it was the heater core I'm sure you'd smell it.  Perhaps, being the evil Hyundai  >:D, they use a no smell antifreeze.   :)

Offline aaronk

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2011, 08:43:31 pm »
Very interesting situation.  Why did you mention water pump?  Was that your guess or was that what the dealer said?  4 litres out of a water pump and no evidence or smell  ???     

BTW, what's the mileage?

All the oil services done at the dealer I trust and on time?  No Jiffy Lube BS.

You still have the car?  Go out and check the oil.  If it isn't milky brown you're good.  If it is, you're getting a new motor.

If it was the heater core I'm sure you'd smell it.  Perhaps, being the evil Hyundai  >:D, they use a no smell antifreeze.   :)

Ha ha, yeah I got a call from the dealer to confirm the appointment, at which point she said they have booked it for a water pump replacement. They haven't really taken a good look at it, so I imagine when they do the diagnosis may be up for interpretation. I hope it doesn't need a new motor!!! She's only got 40,000 Kms. My wife is driving it right now, but as soon as I can I will definitely pull out the dipper and check for that milky brown oil. What would that mean, from a technical standpoint?


Offline articsteve

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2011, 08:57:09 pm »
What would that mean, from a technical standpoint?

Motor DOA.

Rod bearings will have suffered irrevocable damage.

Having said that happy thought, if the dealer has booked a waterpump replacement by just talking to you over the phone then there must be a Hyundai TSB on the pump.  No biggie, not uncommon.

However, for the inconvience factor you might want to get them to replace the drive belt.  Hyundais cost probably 30 bucks.  If it's done by you way down the road it will be $200 tax in.  The excuse for a replacement is that the antifreee very well "could have" weeped onto the belt and it is now corrupted.

Offline Minou

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2011, 07:48:22 am »
I now have more than 36000 km on my '10 Santa Fe GL V6 FWD.  2 recalls were performed on my car;  The "intelligent" alternator was replaced and a rubber cover was installed on the lower front coil springs.

Other than that, I've been doing my oil changes myself and haven't been at the dealer but to fix a few annoying rattles.  One in the rear seat and the other in the left rear door.

I've seen several issues with the first batch of 6 speed automatics on model specific forums but mine has been trouble free.  My build date is July 14th 2010.  What's yours aaronk?
« Last Edit: November 27, 2011, 07:50:12 am by Minou »
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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2011, 04:57:01 pm »
Apparently it does happen, Hyundai's do break!

They all do; some more than others. Trick is to own a brand with a good track record.  ;)


So we go in this weekend to get the water pump changed to try and stem the slowly leaking antifreeze from the engine. Over the period of about 6-8 weeks I've added an entire 4L jug of antifreeze to keep the reservoir topped up, so something is obviously wrong. It wasn't pooling, but it was clearly going somewhere.

It doesn't necessarily have to leak out the engine. There are other paths for consumption.
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Offline aaronk

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2012, 11:37:23 am »

I've seen several issues with the first batch of 6 speed automatics on model specific forums but mine has been trouble free.  My build date is July 14th 2010.  What's yours aaronk?

Where do I find the build date, is that on the door jamb? We have had a rough shift from 1st to 2nd, they reprogrammed it at the dealership which seemed to make the problem go away for 6-8 months, but I noticed a rough shift again yesterday...not good!


Offline aaronk

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2012, 11:39:54 am »
So I haven't posted on this topic for a while, but the issue of leaking coolant still exists. We took it in for a water pump replacement, the dealer seemed to think that was the problem. A few months after and the coolant level is still dropping quite rapidly and I'm now going through my second big bottle (are they 2L, 3L?) of antifreeze. We are scheduled to go back to the dealer on Monday for an oil change and inspection of this persistent problem - I'll post an update, hopefully they find the source!

Could it be a faulty rad? Seems like an inexpensive fix and to my knowledge the likeliest source of a problem...although there is no visible leakage, which is the real head-scratcher.

Offline Fobroader

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #15 on: February 23, 2012, 11:48:36 am »
Theres no way if it was leaking that much externally you wouldnt see it, there would be pools of it under the car or it would be sprayed all over your engine compartment. If it was dripping onto the exhaust and getting evaporated, you would smell it, if the heater core was leaking, the front seat passenger would be asking why is the floor all wet. If it was leaking internally into the oil, the oil would look like a milkshake.....unless the coolant was leaking into the exhaust passage either through broken head gasket or a cracked cylinder head. Either way....its under warranty, its the dealers problem. Just for interest sake, have the wife fire up the car after its been sitting all night and you stand by the exhaust, if a big white plume of smoke comes out and it smells like antifreeze than bobs your uncle, thats the problem.
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Offline sailor723

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #16 on: February 23, 2012, 12:24:58 pm »
Coolant jugs are usually either 4L or 3.78L (1 us gallon). That's quite a lot of coolant to be going through. I'd say you definately have a problem....good luck with the dealer and keep us posted.

Just a question.....If you had the water pump done several months ago and it didn't fix the problem why did you wait this long to go back?
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Offline articsteve

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #17 on: February 23, 2012, 06:40:24 pm »
A few months after and the coolant level is still dropping quite rapidly and I'm now going through my second big bottle (are they 2L, 3L?) of antifreeze

Try and be more specific.  Most dealer antifreeze is sold in plastic 3.78 L jugs undiluted.  So how exactly are you mixing this replacement antifreeze into the system: diluted or undiluted. ???

Exactly, what period of time (in days) does it take to use 3.78 L of fluid diluted or undiluted?

As for dealer testing; they are going to put a pressure tester on it and watch for leak down.  I would think that under these strange circumstances they would need the unit over night.

Offline rrocket

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #18 on: February 23, 2012, 06:44:52 pm »
Pressure tester or antifreeze dye and UV penlight.
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Offline my2cents

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Re: So Hyundai's do break!
« Reply #19 on: February 23, 2012, 07:36:45 pm »
I have to say this - just in case.

But if you are topping up the expansion tank to the top when the coolant is cold - it will overflow onto the highway when it gets hot.

If that is happening - then you'll see no sign of it and keep topping it up and it will keep blowing out.

There should be a "hot" and "cold" level.

Unless things are different now.