When to Replace the Timing Belt on the Hyundai Santa Fe?

The timing belt on the Hyundai Santa Fe should be replaced, according to the owner's manual, every 100,000 miles. However, it is essential to always check the condition of the belt and replace it if necessary, even sooner.

To replace it, open the engine compartment. First, unscrew the bolts and remove the protective cover of the engine block.

The belt is located to the left of the engine block. Using the appropriate tool, loosen the belt by adjusting the tensioner and remove the old belt from its position.

Next, remove the protective cover of the timing belt and detach the tensioner that was previously loosened. Remove the bolts from the other protective cover of the belt located at the lowest and furthest forward position (towards the windscreen).

Now, lift the car, remove the wheel corresponding to the side you are working on, and using the appropriate tool, position the timing belt pulley (located behind the protective cover) in sync with the other pulley that the belt passes over. Now remove the pulley and the protective cover.

Detach the component that holds the engine block in position, which is the belt tensioner, being careful of the synchronized positions of the pulleys. Replace the belt with a new one and reassemble everything in reverse order.

The maintenance operation shown in the images is performed on a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe.