🔧 Tucson - Timing System Replacement

Your Tucson uses a timing chain, not a timing belt. The chain keeps the crankshaft and camshafts synchronized so the engine valves open at the correct time.

This is an internal engine repair. It requires removing the valve cover, crank pulley, timing cover, chain tensioner, guides, and timing chain, then carefully setting engine timing before reassembly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before starting to prevent accidental cranking.
• ⚠️ Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshafts after the timing chain is removed unless instructed. Valve-to-piston contact can damage the engine.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing the right-side engine mount. The mount holds engine weight.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool fully before opening the cooling system or working near hot exhaust parts.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands if raising the vehicle. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ This repair requires precision. If timing marks are not aligned correctly, the engine may not start or may be damaged.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• 1/2-inch torque wrench
• Socket extension set
• Serpentine belt tool
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Gasket scraper plastic blade
• Brake cleaner spray
• Drain pan 10-quart
• Paint marker
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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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 guide set - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft front oil seal - Qty: 1
• Timing cover gasket maker RTV sealant - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil 5W-20 synthetic blend or full synthetic - Qty: 5 quarts
• Engine coolant compatible with Hyundai long-life coolant - Qty: 1 gallon
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1
• Right engine mount bolts - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tucson on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool completely.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum and support it with jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Remove the right front wheel if more access is needed.
• Use an engine support bar before removing the right engine mount. An engine support bar holds the engine from above while a mount is removed.
• Take clear phone photos before removing brackets, hoses, and connectors. This helps during reassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect Battery and Remove Engine Covers

• Use a 10mm socket to loosen the negative battery cable clamp.
• Move the cable aside so it cannot touch the battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the upper engine cover fasteners if equipped.
• Lift the cover off and set it aside.

Step 2: Drain Engine Oil and Coolant

• Place a 10-quart drain pan under the engine oil drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the oil drain plug.
• Let the oil drain completely.
• Reinstall the drain plug using a 17mm socket and tighten to Torque to 39-44 Nm (29-32 ft-lbs).
• Place the 10-quart drain pan under the radiator drain area.
• Open the radiator drain carefully by hand or with suitable pliers if needed.
• Drain enough coolant to keep it below the timing cover and water passages.
• Keep fluids away from pets.

Step 3: Remove Right Front Splash Shield

• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove the right front splash shield clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any splash shield bolts.
• Pull the shield down and out of the way.

Step 4: Remove Serpentine Belt

• Draw the belt routing with a paint marker or take a photo.
• Use a serpentine belt tool on the belt tensioner to release belt tension.
• Slide the belt off the pulleys and remove it.
• A serpentine belt tool is a long handle that gives you leverage to move the spring-loaded belt tensioner.

Step 5: Support the Engine

• Install the engine support bar across the upper body structure.
• Attach the support chain to the engine lifting point.
• Apply light upward tension only. Do not lift the vehicle.
• Place a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum with a wood block under the oil pan as backup support only.

Step 6: Remove the Right Engine Mount and Brackets

• Use a 14mm socket and 17mm socket to remove the right engine mount bolts and nuts.
• Remove the mount from the engine bay.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the engine-side mount bracket bolts.
• Set the bracket aside in order.
• During reassembly, tighten engine mount fasteners to Torque to 59-78 Nm (44-58 ft-lbs) unless your replacement bolt instructions specify otherwise.

Step 7: Remove Ignition Coils and Valve Cover

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the ignition coil bolts.
• Disconnect the coil electrical connectors by pressing the lock tab by hand.
• Pull the coils straight up and set them aside.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove valve cover bolts.
• Gently lift the valve cover off. If stuck, tap lightly by hand. Do not pry against the sealing surface.
• During reassembly, tighten valve cover bolts evenly to Torque to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).

Step 8: Remove Crankshaft Pulley

• Install a crankshaft pulley holding tool to keep the pulley from turning.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt and washer.
• Use a harmonic balancer puller to pull the crankshaft pulley off evenly.
• A harmonic balancer puller removes the crank pulley without bending or cracking it.

Step 9: Remove Timing Cover

• Use 10mm socket, 12mm socket, and 14mm socket as needed to remove the timing cover bolts.
• Note bolt locations because lengths may vary.
• Gently separate the timing cover from the engine using a plastic trim clip remover only at safe pry points.
• Do not gouge the aluminum sealing surface.
• Clean old sealant using a plastic gasket scraper blade and brake cleaner spray.

Step 10: Set Engine to Top Dead Center

• Use a 21mm socket on the crankshaft bolt temporarily threaded into the crankshaft.
• Turn the engine clockwise only until cylinder 1 is at top dead center.
• Top dead center means piston 1 is at the top of its stroke and timing marks are aligned.
• Align the crankshaft timing mark with the mark on the engine block.
• Confirm the camshaft sprocket timing marks align with the cylinder head reference marks.
• Use a paint marker to mark the chain and sprockets before removal.

Step 11: Remove Timing Chain Tensioner and Guides

• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to remove the timing chain tensioner bolts.
• Remove the tensioner carefully. It controls chain slack.
• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to remove the timing chain guide bolts.
• Remove the fixed and pivoting guides.
• During reassembly, tighten guide and tensioner bolts to Torque to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs).

Step 12: Remove Old Timing Chain

• Slide the timing chain off the camshaft sprockets and crankshaft sprocket by hand.
• Do not rotate the camshafts or crankshaft once the chain is removed.
• Compare the old chain, new chain, guides, and tensioner before installation.

Step 13: Install New Timing Chain and Guides

• Install the new fixed guide using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket.
• Tighten guide bolts to Torque to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs).
• Place the new timing chain on the crankshaft sprocket and camshaft sprockets.
• Match the colored chain links to the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks.
• Install the pivoting guide using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket.
• Make sure the chain is tight on the non-tensioner side.

Step 14: Install New Timing Chain Tensioner

• Install the new compressed timing chain tensioner using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket.
• Tighten tensioner bolts to Torque to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs).
• Pull the tensioner retaining pin by hand to apply chain tension.
• Check that all timing marks are still aligned.

Step 15: Verify Timing by Hand

• Use a 21mm socket on the crankshaft bolt.
• Rotate the engine clockwise two full crankshaft turns by hand.
• Stop immediately if you feel hard resistance.
• After two turns, recheck that camshaft and crankshaft timing marks align correctly.
• Hand-rotation prevents expensive mistakes.

Step 16: Replace Front Crankshaft Seal

• Use a plastic gasket scraper blade carefully to remove the old front crankshaft seal from the timing cover.
• Clean the seal bore with brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Press the new seal in squarely by hand as far as possible.
• Use a suitable large socket from your socket set to tap the seal evenly until flush.

Step 17: Reinstall Timing Cover

• Clean all mating surfaces with brake cleaner spray and shop towels.
• Apply a continuous bead of RTV sealant to the timing cover sealing surface.
• Install the timing cover carefully without smearing the sealant.
• Use 10mm socket, 12mm socket, and 14mm socket to install all timing cover bolts by hand first.
• Tighten small timing cover bolts to Torque to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs).
• Tighten larger timing cover bolts to Torque to 18-25 Nm (13-18 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Reinstall Crankshaft Pulley

• Slide the crankshaft pulley onto the crankshaft by hand.
• Install the crankshaft pulley bolt using a 21mm socket.
• Use the crankshaft pulley holding tool to hold the pulley.
• Tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt to Torque to 176-186 Nm (130-137 ft-lbs).

Step 19: Reinstall Valve Cover

• Install the new valve cover gasket into the valve cover groove by hand.
• Place the valve cover onto the cylinder head.
• Use a 10mm socket to install the valve cover bolts finger-tight first.
• Tighten evenly in small steps to Torque to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).
• Reinstall ignition coils using a 10mm socket.
• Tighten ignition coil bolts to Torque to 8-10 Nm (71-89 in-lbs).

Step 20: Reinstall Engine Mount and Serpentine Belt

• Use a 14mm socket to reinstall the engine-side mount bracket.
• Use a 14mm socket and 17mm socket to reinstall the right engine mount.
• Tighten engine mount fasteners to Torque to 59-78 Nm (44-58 ft-lbs).
• Use the serpentine belt tool to rotate the belt tensioner.
• Route the new serpentine belt according to your photo or belt routing diagram.
• Release the tensioner slowly and confirm the belt sits in every pulley groove.

Step 21: Refill Oil and Coolant

• Install a new oil filter by hand and tighten until snug, then another three-quarter turn.
• Fill the engine with 5W-20 engine oil.
• Refill the cooling system with Hyundai-compatible long-life coolant.
• Use shop towels to wipe spills so leaks are easier to spot later.

Step 22: Reinstall Splash Shield and Lower Vehicle

• Use a plastic trim clip remover to reinstall splash shield clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall splash shield bolts.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum safely.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum.

Step 23: Reconnect Battery

• Reconnect the negative battery cable.
• Use a 10mm socket to tighten the battery terminal clamp snugly.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Before starting, turn the key to ON for a few seconds, then OFF. This lets the vehicle electronics wake up.
• ✅ Start the engine and listen closely. A brief rattle for 1-2 seconds can happen, but ongoing chain noise means shut it off.
• ✅ Check for oil leaks around the timing cover, valve cover, oil filter, and drain plug.
• ✅ Check for coolant leaks and top off coolant after the thermostat opens.
• ✅ Let the engine reach operating temperature while watching the temperature gauge.
• ✅ After cooling, recheck engine oil level and coolant level.
• ✅ Test drive gently for 10-15 minutes, then recheck for leaks.
• ✅ If the check engine light comes on, scan for codes before driving farther.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$600 (parts only)

You Save: $950-$1,400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 6-9 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.