🔧 Veloster - Timing Belt Replacement

Your Veloster does not use a timing belt. The 1.6L turbo engine uses a timing chain, which is lubricated by engine oil and is not a normal “scheduled belt replacement” item.

If you’re chasing a rattle on cold start, a check-engine light for cam/crank correlation, or high mileage wear, the correct repair is timing chain inspection/replacement (plus related guides/tensioner). This is a precision job because incorrect timing can cause severe engine damage.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 6-10 hours

Assumption: You meant timing chain service (not a belt).

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cold engine; hot coolant/oil can burn you.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent accidental cranking.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing the passenger-side engine mount (the engine can drop).
• ⚠️ Keep fingers/tools clear when rotating the crankshaft.
• ⚠️ Do not rotate the crank/cams independently with the chain removed.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Fender cover
• Metric socket set 8mm-19mm
• Metric wrench set 8mm-19mm
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• Torque wrench (10-200 ft-lbs range)
• Torx bit set
• Allen bit set
• Screwdriver set
• Trim clip removal tool
• Pry bar
• Oil drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Coolant drain pan
• Funnel
• Gasket scraper
• Brake cleaner spray
• Shop rags
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Camshaft holding/locking tool set (specialty)
• Crank pulley holding tool (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain - Qty: 1
• Timing chain tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guides - Qty: 1 set
• Crankshaft front oil seal - Qty: 1
• Front timing cover gasket/sealant kit - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Fresh engine oil (full synthetic, correct grade for your Veloster) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine coolant (compatible with Hyundai) - Qty: 1-2 gallons
• Accessory drive belt - Qty: 1
• RTV silicone sealant (oil-resistant) - Qty: 1
• One-time-use torque-to-yield bolts (if applicable for crank pulley and/or mount) - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal using a 10mm socket.
• Raise the front of the car with a floor jack and support it on jack stands.
• Remove the passenger front wheel using a 19mm socket (common lug size) and remove the inner fender liner with a trim clip removal tool.
• Set up your engine support bar (a bar that holds the engine from above) so the engine can stay supported when the mount comes off.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drain fluids and clear access

• Place an oil drain pan under the oil pan, remove the drain plug with the correct metric socket, and drain the oil.
• Drain coolant into a coolant drain pan (use the radiator drain and/or lower hose with a pliers or socket, depending on clamp type).
• Remove the top engine cover/intake ducting as needed using a socket set and screwdrivers.

Step 2: Remove the accessory belt and crank pulley

• Relieve belt tension using a breaker bar on the tensioner (tool fit varies) and remove the accessory belt.
• Hold the crank pulley with a crank pulley holding tool (specialty) and remove the crank pulley bolt using a 1/2" breaker bar and appropriate socket.
• Remove the crank pulley/harmonic balancer (use a pry bar gently if needed; do not pry on sealing surfaces).
• Torque to Hyundai service manual specification on reassembly for the crank bolt (this fastener is often critical and may be one-time-use).

Step 3: Support the engine and remove the passenger-side mount

• Take the engine weight with the engine support bar (specialty).
• Remove the passenger-side engine mount and bracket using a metric socket set and wrench set.
• Torque to Hyundai service manual specification on reassembly for all mount/bracket bolts.

Step 4: Remove the valve cover and front timing cover

• Unplug ignition coils/sensors and remove coils using a socket set.
• Remove the valve cover fasteners using a socket set, then lift off the valve cover.
• Remove the front timing cover bolts using a socket set and Torx bits where equipped.
• Carefully separate the timing cover using a plastic pry tool or pry bar at designated pry points only.
• Clean mating surfaces with a gasket scraper and brake cleaner spray; keep debris out of the engine.

Step 5: Set engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder 1

• Rotate the crankshaft clockwise using a socket and ratchet on the crank bolt (or crank snout if bolt is removed temporarily).
• Align timing marks on the crank sprocket and cam sprockets per Hyundai procedure.
• Install the camshaft holding/locking tool set (specialty) (these tools hold the cams in place so timing doesn’t slip).

Step 6: Remove the timing chain, guides, and tensioner

• Relieve/remove the chain tensioner using a socket set.
• Remove the chain guides using a socket set.
• Remove the timing chain and keep note of routing.
• Take pictures before removal.

Step 7: Install new chain, guides, and tensioner

• Install new guides with a socket set.
• Route the new chain and align colored links (if provided) to the sprocket timing marks.
• Install the new tensioner with a socket set and set/activate it per Hyundai procedure.
• Torque to Hyundai service manual specification for guides and tensioner fasteners.

Step 8: Verify timing by hand-rotating the engine

• Remove the locking tools as required, then rotate the crankshaft clockwise two full turns using a ratchet.
• Re-check that timing marks line up correctly at TDC.
• If marks do not align, do not proceed—re-time the chain before reassembly.

Step 9: Re-seal and reinstall covers

• Install a new crankshaft front oil seal (use an appropriately sized driver from a socket set to press it in square).
• Apply RTV silicone sealant at Hyundai-specified joints/corners, then reinstall the timing cover using a socket set.
• Torque to Hyundai service manual specification for timing cover fasteners.
• Install the valve cover with a new gasket using a socket set.
• Torque to Hyundai service manual specification for valve cover fasteners (these are small bolts—do not overtighten).

Step 10: Reinstall mount, belt, and refill fluids

• Reinstall the engine mount/bracket using a socket set and torque wrench; torque to Hyundai service manual specification.
• Reinstall crank pulley and crank bolt using a crank pulley holding tool (specialty) and torque wrench; torque to Hyundai service manual specification.
• Install a new accessory belt using a breaker bar on the tensioner.
• Refill engine oil (new oil filter installed using a socket set or filter tool if needed).
• Refill coolant using a funnel.
• Reconnect the battery negative terminal using a 10mm socket.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle; listen for abnormal rattles near the timing cover.
• Check for oil leaks around the timing cover, valve cover, and crank seal.
• Bring the engine to operating temperature and confirm the radiator fan cycles; top off coolant as needed after it cools.
• If the check-engine light is on, scan for codes and address any cam/crank correlation faults.
• Recheck fluid levels next day.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$2,250 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-10 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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