Hi fellow Accent owners

After reading other posts and learning I have an "interference" type engine ('99- 1.5....185,000 km), and not knowing when it was last done (no dealer records), decided to have it done ASAP. I'm just writing this to let you know, what "other" things I had replaced at the same time.(my choice).
Firstly, I went to the dealer and was told "we change the belt only.....the tensioner isn't replaced...they outlast belts 2:1"....THAT didn't sound right to me because I've seen "kits" at auto parts stores. I left shaking my head,thinking ahha.....you guys want a chance for another big labour charge.

A friend took me to an older mechanic he trusts (owns a Kia ) He took out socket,removed 2 bolts(top cover) and looked at belt It. had tiny fuzzy edges, rusty brown colour, and was glazed on outer surface from engine heat for long time.

To make a long story a little shorter...

things replaced:
a: timing belt
b: belt tensioner
c: replaced front crankshaft seal (see below **)
d: replaced camshaft seal (same as above)
e: replaced waterpump and gaskets/seals (same as above)
f: valve cover gasket (looked to check top end stuff.....no sludge or metal bits)
** Although these parts were OK and not leaking or causing any trouble, he advised me to do them NOW while the engine is stripped down, so I don't come back in 3 months and have to pay again for labour costs for a $25 part. All the parts he replaced are OEM parts in boxes and come with warrantee.
Bottom Line: Dealer wanted $250 + taxes just to replace belt ONLY(special deal this month).........I got all the above (a-f) for $265 WITH taxes included and only took 2 hrs and NO appointment needed.

I know my valves and pistons will stay in sync. now, and don't worry about bending them and punching holes in my pistons. I would suggest to you, to concider doing the same as I did.......spend a little more NOW and save yourself $$$$$$ later.

BTW: as I'm a photographer (retired), I've arranged with him to visit his shop and do some photo-series shots of other Accents, and post them to help others identify parts and procedures to locate/replace/fix various things. (just factory specs.....No mod things). I make my own photo albums to suppliment factory "diagrams" (sometimes).

regards Terry

 

Hi,
Interesting story. I have a 1.3 Si Accent 1993 & took my car at 45,000 miles (UK) for cam belt change. this was about 5 years ago. I queried the tensioner and was told the same.- it does not need to be changed. O.K. thought its a reputable garage so I'll take your word on it. Came with years warranty.
11 months later - guess what? the tensioner sheared off its mounting rivot but still worked. Drove it home, contacted the garage & then took it to them (on their advise) so in all drove about 3 - 4 miles.
They said will check belt & tensioner & found tensioner fault. Great I thought they will fix it no problems!
WRONG! they took the head off & claimed that ALL valves had broken. I went to look at it & yes it was true, one were embedded into the top of a piston. I'm no expert, but I know enough about cars that the valves in this condition the engine would not have run, let alone drive 4 miles!! I think they fitted the cam belt incorrectly they say I should not have driven it (although the engine was running fine at the time)
To cut a long story short, it was very costly as I had to replace the engine. I came to an agreement with the garage & I paid for the replacement cam tensioner as the garage had already paid for it. Hyundai say that the fault I had is VERY rare and was possibly down to a faulty tensioner.
Who knows? I don't.
I think the moral of the story is change that tensioner!!

 

Hello

I've always been of the opinion that when 2 things are in a constant contact (physical motion)....replace BOTH at same time. You can buy "kits" that come with belt and tensioner....and there is a reason !!!!
It sounds like the damage was done at the time of the belt/tensioner replacement. I worried also (at home), that some mechanic would not get the cranksaft and camshaft in sync when installing the new belt....and then try to start the car and BOOM !!!!! bend my valves,damage OHC valve train parts,and punch holes in or dent some pistons (damage bottom end and cylinders also).........and then blame their incompentence on the customer as "user error". It would be impossible for you to drive the car anywhere when the belt broke, as the engine would come to an immediate stop.

If I had the tools,time, good weather,(and 20 yrs younger), I'd rather TRUST and follow the advice and instructions some members have mentioned in this forum, and do my own belt-replacement.(rather than SOME highly skilled factory trained "technician") at a dealer !!!!

just my 2 1/2 cents