That mechanic who swore timing chains never break cost me $2,800

Had a 2014 Hyundai Sonata with that ticking noise everyone talks about. Took it to a garage up in Portland and the guy told me it's just the injectors, timing chains are basically lifetime parts. I trusted him for 6 months until the chain jumped a tooth on I-5 and bent half my valves. Should have listened to the forums instead of a guy who was stuck in 1998. Has anyone else had a mechanic give you bad advice that cost you real money?

2 comments

2 Comments

miles_perez8h ago

That "basically lifetime parts" line is exactly what got me too, @fox.skyler. It's wild how many mechanics still believe timing chains are bulletproof even after all the documented failures on those Theta II engines. What kills me is that Hyundai even put out a technical service bulletin about the chain tensioners failing, so the guy I went to should have known better. I think a lot of these older mechanics learned their trade back when chains were actually solid, but modern engines are built cheaper and lighter and the chains stretch or the guides crack way sooner. If you've still got your Sonata and it's been quiet, I'd honestly say sell it quick before you end up in my shoes. Did you end up cutting your losses or did you dump it to some unsuspecting buyer?

fox.skyler11h ago

$2,800 is brutal, man. I had a 2013 Sonata and that ticking noise drove me crazy. My mechanic in Seattle told me it was normal wear and tear on the GDI engines. I ended up selling it before the chain went, but I've read so many horror stories about those Theta II engines. The whole "lifetime parts" thing is such a scam when the manufacturer has known issues.