Lifter Replacement Saga - Opinion on Service?

[jda8]

Is this ridiculous or am I just overreacting?

Back on January 20, 2014, I took my 2009 Genesis 4.6 to the local Hyundai dealer due to a loud, unhealthy knocking noise the engine was making non-stop. I thought it sounded like a lifter or something was bad (it was a knocking, banging noise being made). I took it to the dealer on January 20 and was informed that some of the lifters (I hope I'm using that term correctly) in the right bank were bad and they needed replaced. Luckily, my car only has 34,000 miles, so I was assured everything would be under warranty. I was told that it would take a few days to get all the parts delivered, and that I could drive my car until the parts came in even while the knocking noise was happening. Now, here's a timeline of events since that visit to the dealer (please humor me and read through this):

1/21/2014: Received voicemail from dealership that parts would not be in until "next Monday or Tuesday" (1/27 or 1/28).

1/29/2014: After over a week of hearing nothing, I call dealership and am told the parts still aren't in.

2/4/2014: I receive a call from the dealership and am told the parts are in (15 days after I first take it in). I'm told they can get my car in for repair six (6) days later, on Monday, 2/10/2014. I ask if I can instead drop it off on Saturday, 2/8/2014 because I'm booked all day on 2/10/2014. They say yes.

2/8/2014: I drop my car off at the dealership for repair and am given a 2014 Hyundai Elantra as a free loaner. I am told that the car should be done by Thursday, 2/13/2014.

2/14/2014: I call the dealership. I'm told it should be done on Monday, 2/17/2014.

2/18/2014: After not hearing anything on 2/17/2014, I call the dealership and say, "Is my car done? I want my car back." At this point, I'm getting very annoyed. Yes - this whole repair is free and they gave me a free loaner, but I want my car back and I'm tired of driving a damn little buzzy Elantra with a rough ride and seemingly no shocks. I'm told the car should be done on Thursday, 2/20/2014.

2/21/2014: After not hearing anything on 2/20/2014, I call the dealership. Yet again, I'm told, "Monday. Your car will be done Monday (2/24/2014). They replaced all 16 headers but now they have to replace a tensioner pulley, which is on 'emergency order.'"

2/24/2014: I call again. I'm told, "You don't want to see your car right now. The engine is torn apart. Another tech found a 'mark' or 'line' on your timing belt, so we're going to just replace it now so we don't have to tear the engine apart later on down the road. It should be done on Wednesday (2/26/2014)."

Ok, that's it. It's been now over a full month since I took my car in. Is this normal? I'm going nuts. I sound like a baby, especially since it's free, but I want my nice car back. I feel like over one whole month simply cannot be normal. I'm getting pissed, but should I? Comments please. And don't forget the whole thing is free, so it's not like I can try to demand money off my bill.

Thanks.

 

[Epiphany]

IMO, it definitely sucks, but you're putting mileage on their car instead of yours, and if they are indeed finding more issues as they go wouldn't you rather have them addressed now while the car is there and torn apart rather than having something else go wrong down the line? Parts for this car aren't generally stocked at most places, and if things have to be ordered from Korea it's going to take a little while to get here.

 

[homeofstone]

I get loaners during routine service too. However, I tell the dealer what kind of car to have ready for me when I get there (mid size like the Genny.) I don't ask. I tell them what they are going to do for me as their good customer. Take charge at the beginning or you get an Elantra or some other little sub-compact.

 

[Mark_888]

The problem you are experiencing with your 4.6 is not unusual, and Hyundai is now having to replace more than the average number of engines. I would contact Hyundai Motor America and open a case, and make them replace the engine (either brand new or factory rebuild). I would not accept a dealer rebuilt engine.

You can search this forum for first hand accounts of other owners and how they got it resolved. This might be a little work, but considering the value of your engine and car, it should be worth it.

I would also look into the Lemon Law statutes in your state (Google) and let Hyundai (not your dealer) know you are going to pursue that remedy if you don't get a new engine.

 

[homeofstone]

What brand and kind of oil has been used? Have any after market oil filters been used? Have any oil changes been done by a jiffy lube kind of place? I ask these questions because of TSB notices sent to dealers.

 

[jda8]

I've only owned the car since July of 2013. I've had two oil changes, both of which were done at Hyundai dealerships. Funny you mention that. About two weeks before I brought the car in on January 20, 2014, I brought the car to the local Hyundai dealership for the knocking engine noise. They said there was a TSB requiring an updated oil filter. So, according to them, they installed an updated oil filter and added an oil additive to my engine. That stopped the noise for a little under two weeks, but then it started again. Which is where I'm at now.

 

[Dawg]

34,000 mi? What the world? When I bought my vehicle in mid-Jan the dealership was moving a 2011 4.6 from one end of the parking lot to another and it sounded bad...definitely lifters. I wrote it off that maybe it was sitting a while but I went over to look it over out of curiosity and it had 42,000 mi.

I started looking at the cars more closely looking at the tail pipes and listening to them when they were cranked cold after sitting overnight as I test drove about 5 before making an offer on the one I felt good about.

Sorry to hear you are going through this. I would be disappointed and hope I have not made a bad decision w/ my purchase

What concerns me is Hyundai is not making this engine anymore. So what if they put another engine in my car under warranty...are they going to keep cycling 4.6 engines every 3 years for the life of the car lol.

 

[landtuna]

Unless the 4.6 Tau engine is a radical new design the lifters (hydraulic) should be making no noise and if solid should be "ticking", not "knocking". I suspect the TSB for oil filter and additive was intended to increase either volume or pressure of oil in the hydraulic lifters. Personally, that is why I run a heavier weight oil in my 5.0 than recommended (and also because of the heat here in the desert).

As for the service department of your dealer.....doesn't sound as if they are well staffed or prepared for major service issues. Hyundai should be keeping a stock of certain replacement parts in the USA to be overnighted to appropriate repair jobs. There should never be an extended wait for parts unless the vehicle in question is very old or rare and the part likewise. The failure to stockpile a sufficient number of spares is a manufacturer shortcoming and an official complaint should be lodged.

The dealership does however, appear to be foresighted enough to inspect and repair other possible issues with the engine while it is apart and that is a good thing. While it may be exasperating to be told time and again that the car isn't yet ready you really want them to take their time and get it right this time, right?

One of your major sources of irritation seems to be your loaner car. Give the dealership a call and see if you can negotiate an upgrade. Even a nice used midsize would be preferential to the buzzer you are currently driving, right? And the dealership shouldn't take a big hit for doing something like this.

 

[DRS]

Ok... The dealer said they found a mark in the timing "belt"? Did they say "belt"? The V8 should have heavy duty timing chain, as I understand it.. Bringing this up in case they are adding stories as an excuse for delays?

 

[jchao]

When I get service done, I get a genny. This has happened twice.
Same when I had my BMW 740il. I would get the same.

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[PMCErnie]

Loaner car policy is at each dealer's discretion, except for the Equus.

 

[landtuna]

Ok... The dealer said they found a mark in the timing "belt"? Did they say "belt"? The V8 should have heavy duty timing chain, as I understand it.. Bringing this up in case they are adding stories as an excuse for delays?

"Timing belt" is a common term used even if the engine has a timing chain. I wouldn't get too worried over it. However, if the chain does have a mark indicating contact with other metal that may explain the "knocking" sound heard by the owner. Usually the frequency of the sound tells you where it is coming from.

 

[shagnat]

I'd be happy the dealer is finding these "other" problems for you, but, would also be very cautious and research as much as you can that these other problems are truly the delay in getting your car back.
Be patient but resourceful and be in charge of your own car and what is done and proof of what is done.