About the car:
- Year - 2005
- Make - Hyundai
- Model - Elantra
- Engine - 2.0 Liter 4 Cylinder
Initial Problem - Vehicle was towed to us with a 'knocking' sound coming from the engine. Upon inspection we determined the sound was coming from the inside the engine. We removed the oil pan to find that the piston rod for the first cylinder was loose and slapping around when the engine ran. We determined that the piston rod bearing was worn beyond repair and the engine would need to be replaced or repaired.
Diagnosis & Recommendation - We were initially going to replace the engine with another from a local parts yard. After researching the issue, we decided to tear this motor down first and examine if it could be rebuilt. We removed the engine and tore it down. We did not find any parts that were damaged beyond the point of repair so we procured a local machine shop to check and clean the crankshaft along with the cylinder head.
Outcome - While rebuilding the engine takes significantly longer, it ensures you have a reliable vehicle for many years to come. The prices on all the parts needed for this rebuild was equivalent to a used motor with around 100,000 miles. The customer felt more comfortable having this engine overhauled back to manufacturer specifications. We replaced every component within the timing assembly, water pump, and ALL sensors that are not easily accessible. Along with that we also replaced all hoses and belts. Car has been driven for 10,000 miles since the writing of this article with no issues related to the rebuild.
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