Hyundai Elantra Maintenance and Repair

nodule

Thanks!
I believe the Sentras all have timing chains...I know my
2001 Sentra had chain

nthe

I had the heater core replaced on my truck 2 1/2 years ago, and thats exactly how it started, just a faint sweet smell when i ran the heater, then many months later the windows would fog up with the coolant.

dekorai

Is there any way I can do a heater core flush somewhere? Do I have any other options before I plunk down $700 for a new heater core? Looks like I bought a car with a busted heater core. Is it common for a heater core to go bust after just 2 years?

I heard people have had luck with using Liquid Drano to flush out the heater core!

doohickie

The car is only 2 years old? Even though you have over 60,000 miles on the car, talk to a Hyundai dealer about it. If you find the right dealer, they may fix the heater core anyway (good will) even though the car is just out of warranty. I've heard of that happening at the local Hyundai dealer near me (Fort Worth, TX).

Call around to different dealers.... You might make the argument that it must have been like that for a while (and therefore started prior to the 60,000 mile mark).

It's worth a shot.

If not, you really need to have it done anyway. You don't know how long it will be till it lets go altogether, and then you might trash the engine. That will cost a lot more than $700.

bjc2

anyone know how to replace a marker light bulb on a 01
elantra. everything seems to be closed in.

doohickie

Front or rear? If it is a front marker you can reach up behind the bumper and push the catch in to release the light. Here is a picture:



The back is a little more involved; you need a philips head screwdriver, a 10 mm wrench and/or a 10 mm socket wrench. Also note that a hatchback is shown; I'm not sure if the sedan is the same.

1racefan

I just took my '02 Elantra in for a tune up - coming up on 90,000 miles. I had them flush the automatic transmission, flush the power steering, put new radiator hoses on, and flush the coolant, new thermostat, new spark plugs and wires, and an oil change (I use synthetic).

I noticed that the car has 3 radiator hoses, with one being a "bypass hose". What exactly does the bypass hose bypass/do?

bjc2

thanks doohickie for showing how to replace front marker
light bulb.

jlflemmons

Never looked at the Elantra, but on some engines it allows for a minimal coolant flow in the event of a stuck thermostat, sort of a limp home, low speed mode.

doohickie

When the car is cold, the thermostat is closed. As it heats up to operating temp, the themostat opens. When ther thermostat is closed, the water pump would be pushing against a dead end if there were no bypass hose. It allows the coolant coming out of the water pump to "bypass" the radiator when the thermostat is closed and recirculate back to the engine.

1racefan

Makes sense - I was just curious, because my mechanic said that bypass hoses are rare these days.

Regarding your side marker demonstration above, I appreciate that. I have often wondered how to replace my sidmarker light bulbs (if the need arises). For what it's worth, my '02 sedan doesn't have rear sidemarkers, just the fronts.

doohickie

That's because of the way the tail lights are set up- on the sedan there is a light at the top that is visible from the side. On my hatchback, there isn't a light like that so they have to put it on the bumper strip.

Maybe the bypass is internal to many engines these days; I haven't thought about bypass hoses since I blew one out on my Dodge Dart while doing 70 on the California freeway 20 years ago. The result was that ALL of my coolant was sprayed up into the hood liner. Luckily I shut if off quick enough that all I had to do was replace the hose and add coolant.

schala25

I need to replace the wiper blades on my 2003 Elantra but am having difficulty figuring out how to do so, and I do not wish to break anything inadvertently

I'm not sure where my owner's manual has run off to either.. could somebody help me out?

Thanks!

doohickie

Wiper blades previously covered in this earlier post. I found it by searching this discussion for the word "wiper". It should give you what you need.

schala25

Ahh, thank you.. I did search before asking, really.. of course what I searched for was "windshield wipers" not the simpler "wiper"

Heh..live and learn eh?

doohickie

No problem. We're here to help.

1racefan

Here's one for ya...

Any idea how to remove the climate contol dials and face plate? the light bulb that lights up the left seletctor dial (the one that switches between a/c, defrost, etc..) has apparently burned out, or something has come loose. I would like to be able to get back there and take a look.

Thanks

doohickie

I'm pretty sure you have to take the whole control unit out to get to the bulbs. Sounds complicated but not as hard as it sounds. Have you installed a radio in your dash? Basically the same process except that you have to mess with the connections to the HVAC doors.

To remove the control you have to get the dash fascia off. Remove the ash tray, then remove the two screws behind it. Also remove the two screws in the instrument cluster bezel (above the speedo & tach). Then pull the fascia off starting from the ash tray end and working around to the vent by the drivers door. Reach behind and disconnect all the electrical plugs from the fascia lights, switches, etc. Each connector has a locking tab that needs to be pushed to release; you have to just feel around to figure them out, but each one has a tab that clearly can be pushed.

Once the fascia is off, you can access the screws that hold in the climate control unit. Remove those and.... I guess pull the unit out and disconnect the electrical and mechanical connections... I've never done that on the Elantra (though I have done it on an Escort). If it's like the Escort, there is only one way to connect the stuff when putting it back together.

1racefan

Thanks -

No, I have not installed a custom radio, but if I am taking all these other parts off, I may do that while I am in there.

doohickie

Removing the entire dash is quite simple really. The first time you do it though, you will have trouble getting all the electrical connectors disconnected. Knowing there is a release tab to push for each one helps, but you can't see too well so you have to do it by feel. It will probably take you a half hour to do it; maybe an hour tops.

With the practice I've had, I can get the fascia off in 5-10 minutes. I'll be doing it again soon, too, becuase I got a Tiburon amp and sub setup and will be essentially reinstalling my stereo to hook it up.

If you have any problems with the stereo install, let me know. If you want to spend an extra $40 when putting the new stereo in, you can buy a mounting bracket that includes the bin beneath the stereo, and it has a door on the bin. Looks pretty nice:


For more information about trimming out the area around the stereo, see this post.

1racefan

Thanks for all the advice.

Luckily, I have a 3rd car, so I can take my time with taking it all apart this weekend, and not be stressed out about getting it all back together to drive to work on Monday.

doohickie

Heh. When I first got the car, I got it on a Friday and put in the new head unit and also a CD changer in the back (including pulling all the trim along the bottom of the doors to run wires) on Sunday night. I actually pulled an all-nighter that night, went into work with no sleep the next morning, and dragged all day long.

But for just a head unit? Four hours, tops (including the heater control lights).

dekorai

Which is a reputable website place to order Hyundai parts online? I want to replace the cabin filter and engine air filter on my 04 Elantra GT since I am presuming it was never changed by the previous owner. I bought the car at 61,000 miles; it now has 66,000 miles.

kentavos22

The lift arms on my hatchback have gone out. The trunk/hatchback is really heavy with out them and I need to replace the arms. I've been to a number of auto shops, but their parts catalogs don't cover a hatchback for Hyundai.

Does anyone know an exact model number/brand for a lift arm I can use? I tried to order from Hyundai's website, but I keep getting errors when I try to view the site.

Any help would be appreciated.

jlflemmons

Just call the Hyundai dealer. I already had to replace the lifts on my 2005. They were fine until the temps went below freezing. Then you had to help it up, and wait to see if it was going to stay or come back down on you.

kentavos22

Thanks. I hate using the dealer, since they're forty minutes away and they won't ship the parts to me, but I guess it is what it is.

The below freezing temp is exactly what happened to me. I live in the South, so we don't get prolonged cold weather, but this winter we had a few weeks of cold weather in a row and it looks like the seals went out on the arm.

Other than that, the car has been great. I have over 107,000 miles and have only had to do basic maintenance. Tires, brakes, timing belt, etc. What a great car.

acura03g

try amazon.com, rockauto.com, advanceautoparts.com, autozone.com, etc

backy

Weird. It was as cold as -15 F (before wind chill) for a few weeks this winter in the Twin Cities, and during that cold weather the struts on my '04 GT were having trouble keeping the hatch up. But now that warmer (30s+) weather has returned, the hatch works just fine.

jlflemmons

Warmer temps expand the gas. Colder temps the opposite. Sometimes if you are only seeing the problem in really cold weather just wait for the temps to come up. The struts will start working again.

backy

Right. What I thought was weird is that for some people, the struts have stopped working altogether because it got cold for a time. I've never had that problem (struts failing in general because of some cold weather) on any vehicle I've owned with struts, e.g. minivans, and hatchbacks like my GT.

jlflemmons

Well, if the seals are on shaky ground to begin with, the cold can cause them to shrink and actually lose the gas. After that, all you've got is an expandable night stick. :shades:

doohickie

Be VERY careful about changing the stuts out. Someone on another forum just changed out his struts and didn't have the hatch propped up properly. It came crashing down, the strut he had just disconnected hit his rear window and CRASH! The only thing holding it together was his tint film:



He said he paid $14 (Canadian) per strut at Princess Auto (I think they are Canadian only).

jlflemmons

Yeah, that is a given. Either have someone hold the hatch open while the struts are changed one at a time, or make sure the hatch is securely propped open. This is a very easy job to do, but precautions must be taken.

bjc2

can anyone tell me where the fuel filter is on my 2001
elantra.i would like to replace it.
thanks'

doohickie

It is in the fuel tank. It is not designed to be easily replaced, but in can be done, and a Hyundai dealer will sell you the filter. Here's a link to directions.

bjc2

thanks doohickie for the very good insructions on replacing
the fuel filter.

strei007

My 2000 has 89000 miles. Good car so far. However, this week it wouldn't start quickly when engine was warm. Car sat for 10 min after running fine. Dealer solved problem by replacing fuel pressure valve on fuel line. It sits right on top of engine by injector s. It looks very easy to replace. Easier than my battery which I just changed. Two screws hold fuel pressure valve to fuel line. $75 for part and $120 labor $18 shop parts. Ouch.
I also noticed the electric cooling fan was running all the time once the engine got warm. Dealer solved problem by replacing stuck thermostat. $100 parts and labor.
Oh by the way I still have original tires and brakes. The dealer inspected them and said they don't need immediate attention yet. Not too shabby.
What other problems can I expect from this car?

backy

On a car with close to 100k miles and nearly 8 years old, almost anything could wear out at any time. If the belts and hoses have never been replaced, for example, one of those could go. If you haven't replaced the timing belt yet, that should be done--if it goes, it will take the engine with it. And those tires and brakes won't last forever--but 90k on tires is fantastic!

The good news is, the car has given you years of nearly trouble-free service.

karri1

Several months ago we purchased a wheel for our 2002 Hyundai Elantra online. The photo on the webpage looks identical to the wheels already on the car. It is silver with 15 holes, 15" x 5.5", 4 lug holes, reliefs between the 4 lug holes. When we received the new wheel, it is narrower and is missing the reliefs where the drum attaching screws go. I'm trying to identify what vehicle the new wheel belongs to so I can sell it through our local classifieds or on ebay. (The company that sold it to us will not return phone calls or emails.) I'm not sure how to post pictures so I've put the picture on Google. http://www.google.com/base/a/1595783/D875578723202380746 Thanks to anyone who can help.

jlflemmons

That may be the alternate Elantra wheel. The absence of the bolt head relief for the drum attaching bolts is of no concern. The four lug nuts will hold the wheel and the drum on. GM's come from the factory with spring clips holding on the drums. These are discarded the first time the drum is removed.

kentavos22

I ordered them from the closest dealer. $70 a piece! Honestly though I don't mine shelling out the money for it since I haven't had any other problems with this car.

As an update, I have 115,000 miles on a 2002 GT hatchback. Maintenance has been typical items: brake pads, wipers, tires, timing belt, oil, oil filter, headlights, battery, and air filter.

I'm about to replace the rear lift arms and spark plugs. I use synthetic oil and I get about 30-33 mpg. I absolutely love this car.

The problems have been: broken mirror cover on driver side sun shade and headlights seem to go out really frequently.

But that's it.

jlflemmons

Don't know what bulbs you are using, but the Sylvania Silver Star bulbs are only rated for 150hrs.

kentavos22

That's exactly what I'm using. It's usually the only brand in stock in the type I need.

Do you have any recommendations for longer lasting brands or should I just stock up when they are on sale?

jlflemmons

The H7SS SilverStar is rated for 135 hours at 1350 lumens.

The H7LL Long Live is rated for 910 hours, also at 1350 lumens.

joe131

get your bulbs at your Hyundai dealer. They have a one year warranty.

acura03g

Today I tried to change oil for my 07 elantra SE auto for the first time. I got under the car to locate the oil drain plug. and I am 99% sure i found it. It's a 17mm bolt. But there is no label indicating it's the oil drain plug (unlike my acura which has a "engine oil" label next to the plug). Before I proceed, I'd like to be sure. Anyone has a picture that shows oil drain plug?

By the way, the owner's manual doesn't cover oil change. Which is strange.

doohickie

Yeah, it's a 17 mm plug. I believe it is similar to the 05 Elantra (since the engine hasn't changed) and is on the right side of the car on what is pretty obviously the oil pan. It's on the rear side of the pan.

explorerx4

somoeone at work says it is a pain to replace. any info on this?

jlflemmons

Very easy, 10 minute job, tops. Check your owners manual, or wait a few minutes and someone will jump in here with all the details.

doohickie

It's a pain if you try to replace it like you do on most cars. The secret is you need to remove the entire headlight assembly, then take the bulb out. There is not enough clearance to easily do it with the headlight assembly in the car. Linky to instructions.