I just picked up my v6 Sonata from a local shop, having had them replace the drive belt, timing belt and tensioner at 60k miles. As soon as I started it I heard a tapping, and thought this was from it sitting a few days, so I let it idle for a moment then took off. It sounded like the tap died off at this point. After getting home, 3 miles away, and stopping I could clearly hear the tapping again. I lifted the hood and it was very clear. I checked for obstructions, did not find any.

Is this normal in any way? The timing tensioner was straight from Hyundai, the belt from autozone but high quality. The only thing I can think of is the shop screwed the timing, or the tensioner has to wear in? What else could this be?

This post has been edited by mostholycerebus: Jul 23 2008, 03:56 PM

No... tensioners don't "wear in". If this is something your car was not doing before, I'd take it back. It's a possibility that they got the timing belt a tooth or two off. Does it run good? Usually if the belt is off by a couple teeth then the car doesn't really run right. I don't know what to say except take it back to them.

Did a Hyundai dealer do it, or just a local mechanic?

Local guy, and it runs great so far. Wasnt there a TSB on timing tensioners about this? Is it possible Hyundai sold me an old/faulty tensioner?

This post has been edited by mostholycerebus: Jul 23 2008, 04:56 PM