Hey guys I know on the manual tells you when to change your fuel filter for our v6 sonata's. I went to the dealer and they told me our sonatas do not come with a fuel filters only the azera's. Soooo is this true ?? I want to do some fuel system maintanence and I want to make sure this true, half of the dealers will just tell you anything.

Dear bambu,

Absolutely right about the dealers a) lying to you, B) don't have a clue.

The fuel filter is part of an integral fuel pump/fuel filter/fuel pressure regulator assembly that is mounted internally in the fuel tank. since you have the LX, I assumed that you have the 3.3 liter engine.

It will be a lot of work to replace the fuel filter, but yes it does exist and can be replaced.

Byron

I thought there are two Fuel Filters. One at the Gas Tank

& one in the Engine. They are not the same.

According to the Hyundai service manual, the fuel filter is integral with the in-tank fuel pump (as Byron said) and is a servicable item.

But there still are two, no?.




*The Filter near the Tank only requires Service if the CEL light comes on. Not

a normally serviced item, according to my Hyundai shop. Of course not what

it says here?. :whistling:

This post has been edited by MiamiLX: Dec 18 2007, 05:51 PM

No, there is only ONE fuel filter.

There is the fuel filter in the tank. The fuel tank air filter does NOT filter the fuel, it is related to emmissions requirements. Personally, I won't be replacing (or even inspecting) the fuel tank air filter unless there I have to access that area for some other reason.

I would tend to agree that in-tank filters don't generally need to be replaced (in normal use), however it is listed as a serviceable item, so I will be checking mine at the scheduled interval.

I have checked the service manual again. There is an access panel under the seat - secured by 4 screws. Remove the rear seat squab, remove the access pannel, de-pressurize the fuel system, release the fuel lines, unscrew the fuel pump securing ring, and lift out the fuel pump assembly.

According to my service manual the fuel tank air filter replacement is a requirement at 30K. I just had my 30K maintenance done and the charge for the part and labor was $167. This isn't cheap but it is a warranty issue.

They also tried to talk me into a coolant flush and a tranny flush but I think I will go with the manufacturer's recommendations on these items.

Any thoughts or comments?

This is a picture of the Fuel Tank Air Filter - they gave it to me in a plastic bag when I picked up the car.



This post has been edited by scoobydo: Jan 11 2008, 07:59 PM

Anyone every do this? If so, any tips? Once the fuel pump assembly is out, what do you end up with? Is there a filter that can be removed from the assembly and a new one put in it's place? Pics would be even better!

My dealer said it should be done at 50K. But before I let them in a few months, I'm wanting to know more about the job.

Thanks!

I just got back from my dealer. The 06 Sonata just passed 15k miles and I had them change the oil, rotate tires etc. I changed the air filter earlier in the year.
Strange thing is that I asked about the fuel filter and fuel tank air filter. They told me those are non serviceable items and that their head technician decided not to change them. Ok, so the fuel air filter I may understand.. but the regular fuel filter?
I then called the other two Hyundai dealers in my area and they told me the same thing, no need to change the fuel filter.. I told them it's in the manual but they didn't seem to care.
Are they insane, or is this the norm?

This post has been edited by vitacura: Sep 30 2008, 03:02 PM

Did the part and labor cost you mentioned include the 30k service or was that solely for the replacement of the Fuel Tank Air Filter?

My cost for 30k was $400 (I learned a hard lesson) or so with the various fluid flushes, but the Fuel Tank Air Filter was not part of it.

Just curious.

Thnx!

This post has been edited by bakshi6: Sep 30 2008, 03:34 PM

I'm bumping a bit of an old thread here. I'm at 48K and according to the manual it's time to replace the fuel tank air filter. I see someone mentioned taking out the back seat to do it. Is it a DIY or is it something that's better off to have the stealership do ?

You have a dealer issue - not a warranty issue - there is no reason to touch the so-called "fuel tank air filter" and no reason to flush anything else at that mileage.
In other words, sales are down and they have to make it up somewhere.

This post has been edited by kn5owa: Jan 2 2009, 08:02 PM

I thought it was pretty clear that we have a Fuel Filter and a Fuel Tank Air Filter.

One should be serviced and one should be left alone unless needing service. The

Fuel Tank Air Filter will display a Code if servicing is needed.

 ff.JPG ( 81.68K ) Number of downloads: 64

Miami, your chart (from the manual) doesn't support your statement. The service schedule actually calls for the fuel tank air filter to be inspected every 15k miles, and replaced every 30k. The fuel filter should be replaced every 37,500 miles.

I realize most dealers won't change the FTAF unless necessary (nor would I), but it is a "requirement" for warranty purposes.

I understand what you said & I agree with you. But after reading countless posts here on that Filter

it is obvious which one needs to be serviced, and which one Dealers won't touch. With that

said I have read here we don't have a Fuel Filter either. So count me in as confused although leave

that tank filter alone unless causing problems. This is what Dealers have told me?

Ok, I think i have put both of the items in one chart.
Item # 2 is the FUEL FILTER
Item # 8 is the FUEL TANK AIR FILTER

These are two separate items.
The purpose of the fuel filter is just as one's of the years past, it filters the fuel from small harmfull particles.
The purpose of the Fuel Tank Air Filter is to filter the air that is being let in to (or out of) the tank to prevent presure indifferences.

In the owner manual it states the Fuel Tank Air Filter needs to be inspected at 15K and replaced at 30K. I recommend replacing the filter so Hyundai can not find any excuses to deny you warrenty coverage.

Hope it helped.

Sort Em

You are almost right about the two different filters. The fuel filter (in the tank) is exactly what almost every car has had for YEARS. The fuel tank air filter is more of an environmental thing, filtering the fuel vapors that vent from the tank.

You are right about the recommended service, but as I stated (and Miami alluded to) earlier, most dealers won't even mess with the part unless it NEEDS maintenance (CEL/MIL will come on). It is a total PITA to replace - it involves removing the left rear wheel, removing the plastic wheel well liner, and reaching up and around to get to the filter. I wouldn't worry about inspecting/changing it unless the car gives you an indication otherwise. I don't know of anyone here that HAS had that filter changed, nor am I aware of anyone being denied warranty work due to lack of maintenance on that filter.

Unless you are just THAT worried about it, or your dealer is readily willing to change it, I wouldn't sweat it.



EDIT: Oh yeah, it's about $80 for the filter (plus labor) and it's not a warranty covered item. Just thought you might like to know.

This post has been edited by SonataRobbie: Jan 3 2009, 02:11 AM

You are right, and yes I am a little Ana!! when it comes to following recommended services. The only reason I would recommend performing this replacement is because of my paranoia of being denied coverage, but if the system is not covered it would make no sence to replace it.

I am very happy no one has been denied coverage from these parts, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/59.gif) and hope no one ever does.

In defense of MiamiLX, I think he was confused on the facts for the proper replacement time and not doubting what you said.

I think we are all saying the samething, just different ways. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

There seems to be a lot of paranoia on the forum about dealer's weaseling out of warranties if such-and-such maintenance (frequently something obscure) is not performed.

I see this as a dealer problem - not a warranty problem. Hyundai's big selling point is their extended warranty. Failure to honor that warranty is something for which the dealer is to be held responsible.

The dealer might have a point if, and only if, your failure to do something might be directly related to the work sought to be performed. I.e., you don't change the oil for 50 K miles and you want a new engine becauses it uses oil, smokes, etc.

But, in general, there seems to be some sort of fear that dealers may do this, not do that, not honor the warranty, or some such. I certainly don't see it that way -- as far as my relationship with the dealer is concerned.

My only problem with warranty work - or any dealer work for that matter - is the people doing the work. I had some minor problems with my LX's when they were new (horns, windshield washer pumps). The mechanics couldn't even speak English.

By the way - there is such a thing as small claims court (in most areas). Dealers, by virtue of being incorporated, have to be represented by an attorney (very costly). If there is a substantial claim due to dealer failure to honor a warranty - consider small claims court.

I remember reading here somewhere that the "FUEL TANK AIR FILTER" will last a long time with no problems if follow one simple rule. The rule was, to not ever keep clicking the gas fill pump after it shuts off by itself when refueling. It was stated that continuously clicking the gas pump to get the last few ounces of fuel in the tank can damage the Fuel Tank Air Filter by possibly having gas leak in to the Fuel tank Air Filter. Anyone else remember reading that here?

Okay, I found it, it may be something different then what we are talking about here but it's still good information, it's from LilBean who works at a Hyundai dealership:

"More than likely you have a bad charcoal canister and canister close valve, and perhaps even a fuel system air filter.

What happens it that when you regularly "top off" your gas tank when filling up (continue to pump gas AFTER it automatically shuts off), then fuel will go down the vent lines and into the charcoal canister. This causes the charcoal to swell and stop up the vent lines. The function of the vent lines is to allow air to escape from the tank as you fill up, otherwise you could never put fuel in. Well, this is exactly what has happened now that the vent lines are stopped up by the swollen charcoal from the charcoal canister."

This post has been edited by wymi: Jan 3 2009, 10:07 AM