Just curious Nickmaio, where are you located? Just wondering what kind of weather the car had been through.
I have looked around a bit and still haven't found any other mention of bad seals in the actuators. I know a lot of cars have this rattle, but I've not seen it diagnosed specifically as a seal problem.
This is also the first I've read of dealerships having to set up new software for the new cams and actuators.
If it came down to it, I would probably just order the aftermarket steel (original design) actuators rather than worry about the massive cost and hassle of the updated cams and actuators, especially if the software has to be updated by a dealer.
I am curious about that AT-205 from ATP though. I haven't read a lot of reports of people using it in newer VVT engines, otherwise I'd probably just do it.
Sadly, while looking around under the hood two days ago I saw early signs of the notorious
oil pressure switch leak, which is going to be another pain in the butt, but its likely something I can do myself with someone else's tools. At least it isn't expensive. I already have the pressure switch and manifold gaskets on the way.
Frustrating coming from nearly 13 mostly trouble-free years with a 2006 Sonata V6 (bought with 31k miles, Hyundai certified used) and now getting a newer car and having some concerning problems that need handled right from the start. I guess this goes with the territory... I bought the Sonata when it was less than 1 1/2 years old for $15K (down from $27 or so new), but now that their reputation is so much better, a 10 year old Santa Fe is only about half that price. Plus, the used car market is garbage right now, especially in my area, so traveling 450 miles for something affordable with low miles and no rust was still worth it, even if I have to put money and time into the engine. If I wanted a car payment (never had one in 17 years of driving) I could have bought a five year old car for twice as much, but I didn't want to go that way. Newer cars don't seem any more reliable going by what I'm reading online.
I'm willing to see how all this pans out with the Santa Fe though. The overall build quality, especially the interior materials for this 2010 Limited is so much higher than all of the Toyotas I checked out when shopping around, and I'm reading about lots of frustrating problems with those as well. Didn't really find much else worth looking at due to so many concerns of poor reliability, chronic problems, undersized\overworked engines and my own observation of poor comfort\visibility (what's the deal with the horrible visibility in newer cars!?!?!).
Got this Santa Fe for $8,000 out the door. Compared to the going rate of $13,000+ in my area for a '13 Highlander with over 100k miles (in salty western NY... the rust would already be past the point of no return unless it was very well cared for and undercoated yearly). If we run the Santa Fe for a couple years and it is reliable I'll be happy. If it needs work later, I'll put the money into it and if I want, I could sell it for more than I paid for it, simply because a rust-free southern vehicle is worth far more up here in salt country (I've had it undercoated with a custom fluid-film concoction that works great, so it should stay that way for a LONG time). If I put this on the market right now I'd probably get $10-$12K for it without much hassle. After some engine repairs, probably more. It's tempting, but I'm so sick of car shopping I'd rather just learn how to fix it and then drive it.