I have a 2004 hyundai santa fe with 90000 miles. The timing belt has never been changed. How often should it be changed

"POP" LIKE A BACKFIRE???.....TIMING BELT IS 1 OR MORE TEETH OFF

CAUTION: If your Santa Fe has the 4 cylinder engine (2.4 Lit I4), that's DEFINITLY a risk. Get the belt inspected! The 2.4 lit 4 cylinder is notorious for belt failure (even before 60,000 miles due to the heat generated by the engine in the timing belt area. There is also a balance belt accompanying the timing belt on the 2.4 lit -- it is also prone, but not like the timing belt).

If it's the 2.7 or the 3.5 Lit V6, I still recommend you have the belt inspected by a competent technician.

The timing belts must be replaced every 5 years or 50k miles, whatever comes first. The other belts whenever they give signs of slipping, no fixed date.

hyundai say the belt should be changed when showing signs of fraying,BUT,i would strongly suggest you change at 60k or asap after.....

Usually a timing belt replacement is based on mileage not age. However, I would have the belt visually inspected to make sure it still is in good condition. If the belt breaks it can cause serious engine damage. The inspection should cost you very little as most newer cars has inspection plattes that come off with a few bolts, you could even do it yourself. I would think that you are fine, but better safe then sorry. My hyundai elantra went for 120,000 miles with the same timing belt and is still going today with its new owner.

Carfixer 1 is right. The Hyundai engine is called an interference engine, which means that when the timing belt breaks, it will allow the valves to hit the pistons and you will ruin your engine.

Do yourself a favor and replace the belt at recommended intervals. If you are past the 60k mark, have it done right away and save yourself a lot of grief and expense.

yes it is due at 60,000

it uses a spring loaded tensioner.use a breaker bar to rotate the tension and it should just come off.if u need a pic or anything else to do it let me know,

HI Santa fes are good cars thay just are very touchy when they dont get there fluilds changed. Every 30,000 miles change the coolant and trans fluild. Also the timing belt has to be changed every 60,000 miles or around that. im not saying if you go a mile over bad things are going to happen just keep up on it and it will run forever. I have seeen tham will 200,000 miles on tham and still going strong.

the recommended mileage is 60,000, this comes from the Gates belt catalog.