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The 2.4L dilemma: please school me on the engine problems

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40K views 10 replies 3 participants last post by  Cessna170B  
#1 ·
I am inheriting a 2015 Sonata with only 27k miles, from a relative. The car has been maintained by the dealer according to the book and otherwise it is in near-new condition.

I am concerned about the 2.4L long-term life and durability. I travel a lot and the thought of having an engine collapse 500 miles from home on a road-trip is a bit scary.

So, I’m trying to decide whether to keep the car or trade on a Toyota or Honda.

If I keep the car then I’ll change oil more frequently than the factory recommendation (about every 3500 miles) and I’ll use a Wix/NAPA oil filter, which is top-quality.

I’ll also learn all I can to further maintain and care for the car.

This is what I think I understand so far about the 2.4L reliability problems.
Please feel free to correct any errors here or add anything you think I should know:

1) Most of the problems were with the 2011 – 2014 model years. This was during the Alabama factory startup, and is the result of engine cranks not being properly deburred after machining.

2) Model years 2011 – 2014 are covered under the factory recall.

3) Later years do not suffer from this specific problem, as Hyundai corrected the machining problems with the engine internals as they got the Alabama plant up and running.

4) Later year 2.4L engines are still not the most durable engines on the planet, and need close careful care to survive, especially keeping the oil changed and the oil level up to correct levels.

5) These cars are designed so that engine removal and replacement is quick and easy, as compared to many cars on the market today.

6) There are not currently enough replacement engines available to meet the demand, and dealers have customer-owned cars sitting on the lot waiting for a new engine under warranty.

Question:
What is the warranty on the engine for a 2015 model?


Thank you to anyone who can help educate me here.
 
Discussion starter · #2 · (Edited)
By the way...
I've had off-the-shelf original (plastic) oil containers leak, creating a huge mess in my trunk.

Years ago I began using bottles made for camp stove fuel to carry a supply of oil in the car.
These bottle are made of aluminum with a screw-on top.
These bottles are made to carry camp stove fuel in backpacks, etc. and they will not leak, ever.
You can buy them in 1/2-Liter and 1-Liter size at REI or other outdoor retailers.

MSR is one popular brand.
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
@Cessna170B,

That is worth doing. Very good thinking!

I appreciate your consideration.


I've recently learned that NAPA oil filters are no longer made for them by Wix.
To get Wix you must buy them elsewhere by the Wix name.
They are available at Amazon or Oriellys stores.

I once saw a display of 6 -7 common brand automotive oil filters, cut open to reveal the internal materials and construction. The Wix brand stood out as easily the best among them.

Some others were so obviously cheaply made they were scary... Fram, for one.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Had an oil change yesterday, with a Wix filter.

When I was given the receipt for the oil change, just before driving away I noticed the receipt had a notation for the initial level check upon bringing the car in. It was entered as "one quart low".
The car has only 28k miles, and I had checked it the previous day.

I asked, and the technician who inspected it said it was in fact full when I drove in.
They had entered it wrong on the receipt!

I made them give me a corrected receipt.
In the future I'll check it myself just prior to driving into the oil-change shop.