Are Theta II engines really as bad as their reputation?

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Hi Chris,

I'd get that checked out at the dealership. That seems like a lot to me.
 
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My girlfriend's 2013 2.4 Sonata still doesn't use any but we change it every 3 months which is about 2k miles or less. It does look very black and smell like fuel. It was worse before when she went 3k miles and paid no attention to time (probably 7-8 months between oil changes). All extremely short trips, cold weather half the year. She never checks the oil and doesn't think that is a normal thing to do. I told her she was "wrong" lol. I'm sure with the big deal I made about it and the engine problems it will probably never fail now because that would just prove me right.

Her previous vehicle, a hand me down early 2000s Ford Windstar told her when to change the oil and if it was low. She found it odd when the new 2013 didn't say anything and after 10,000kms she went to the dealer and asked and they said "no there is no oil change reminder"

Our 2002 and 2005 gm work trucks both have olm and low oil level indicator. I'm sure this cheap out cost Hyundai and Kia a lot of money (whatever percentage of failures were due to low oil).
 
Also my neighbor has a ~2013ish Santa Fe with the 2.0t. No idea on mileage but so far no issues. Their other vehicle a 2018 Dodge ram lost its engine at 100k. He showed it to me torn down. Nothing left of one of the crank bearings. It looked like it had a coolant leak internally. Lots of sludge with 3k oil changes. Hopefully their luck doesn't spread to the Santa Fe but at least it won't cost them money to get a new engine.
 
Originally Posted by wemay
Hi Chris,

I might get that checked out at the dealership. That seems like a lot to me.

*I agree weemay - I just performed an oil change with QSUD 5W20 and also bought QSUD 5W20 make up oil strictly for this vehicle ... I normally use 5W30 synthetic D1 / Gen 2 but for this close check I played it by the book with 5W20 . At 1,000 miles I added 1/3rd qrt . just to top it off after the oil level dropped . Typical soot deposits on the inside of both tail pipes ; no other issues with oil consumption that I can see (vehicle runs well) .
 
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
My girlfriend's 2013 2.4 Sonata still doesn't use any but we change it every 3 months which is about 2k miles or less. It does look very black and smell like fuel. It was worse before when she went 3k miles and paid no attention to time (probably 7-8 months between oil changes). All extremely short trips, cold weather half the year. She never checks the oil and doesn't think that is a normal thing to do. I told her she was "wrong" lol. I'm sure with the big deal I made about it and the engine problems it will probably never fail now because that would just prove me right.

Her previous vehicle, a hand me down early 2000s Ford Windstar told her when to change the oil and if it was low. She found it odd when the new 2013 didn't say anything and after 10,000kms she went to the dealer and asked and they said "no there is no oil change reminder"

Our 2002 and 2005 gm work trucks both have olm and low oil level indicator. I'm sure this cheap out cost Hyundai and Kia a lot of money (whatever percentage of failures were due to low oil).


You set the oil change mileage and the computer begins chiming once you're within 900 of the set miles. The closer you get, the more aggressive the chime.
 
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
Also my neighbor has a ~2013ish Santa Fe with the 2.0t. No idea on mileage but so far no issues. Their other vehicle a 2018 Dodge ram lost its engine at 100k. He showed it to me torn down. Nothing left of one of the crank bearings. It looked like it had a coolant leak internally. Lots of sludge with 3k oil changes. Hopefully their luck doesn't spread to the Santa Fe but at least it won't cost them money to get a new engine.


I hope so too. That's sad news on the Ram, those are nice trucks. Our Santa Fe Sport 2.0T has been the most reliable vehicle either of us have ever owned.
 
Originally Posted by wemay
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
My girlfriend's 2013 2.4 Sonata still doesn't use any but we change it every 3 months which is about 2k miles or less. It does look very black and smell like fuel. It was worse before when she went 3k miles and paid no attention to time (probably 7-8 months between oil changes). All extremely short trips, cold weather half the year. She never checks the oil and doesn't think that is a normal thing to do. I told her she was "wrong" lol. I'm sure with the big deal I made about it and the engine problems it will probably never fail now because that would just prove me right.

Her previous vehicle, a hand me down early 2000s Ford Windstar told her when to change the oil and if it was low. She found it odd when the new 2013 didn't say anything and after 10,000kms she went to the dealer and asked and they said "no there is no oil change reminder"

Our 2002 and 2005 gm work trucks both have olm and low oil level indicator. I'm sure this cheap out cost Hyundai and Kia a lot of money (whatever percentage of failures were due to low oil).


You set the oil change mileage and the computer begins chiming once you're within 900 of the set miles. The closer you get, the more aggressive the chime.

I wonder if that is just on the limited models. I haven't seen that on hers and I've checked the gas mileage and reset it on the computer etc. (over 40mpg imperial)
 
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
Originally Posted by wemay
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
My girlfriend's 2013 2.4 Sonata still doesn't use any but we change it every 3 months which is about 2k miles or less. It does look very black and smell like fuel. It was worse before when she went 3k miles and paid no attention to time (probably 7-8 months between oil changes). All extremely short trips, cold weather half the year. She never checks the oil and doesn't think that is a normal thing to do. I told her she was "wrong" lol. I'm sure with the big deal I made about it and the engine problems it will probably never fail now because that would just prove me right.

Her previous vehicle, a hand me down early 2000s Ford Windstar told her when to change the oil and if it was low. She found it odd when the new 2013 didn't say anything and after 10,000kms she went to the dealer and asked and they said "no there is no oil change reminder"

Our 2002 and 2005 gm work trucks both have olm and low oil level indicator. I'm sure this cheap out cost Hyundai and Kia a lot of money (whatever percentage of failures were due to low oil).


You set the oil change mileage and the computer begins chiming once you're within 900 of the set miles. The closer you get, the more aggressive the chime.

I wonder if that is just on the limited models. I haven't seen that on hers and I've checked the gas mileage and reset it on the computer etc. (over 40mpg imperial)


I had a 2013 base model. It has it. Just toggle through the settings on the in-dash screen (between the tack and speedometer), you'll find it.



2013 to 2015 are the same...

Quote
This procedure should work on the latest model of Hyundai Sonata (2013, 2014, 2015) models. Hopefully, the article of Reset Service Required Indicator on 2013-2015 Hyundai Sonata useful for you. Good Luck!
 
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New 2.0T installed in my 2013 Santa Fe earlier this week. I've put a little over 100 miles on it with no issues thus far. Tech did a good job with installation. Anyone know anything about the reman. engines? wemay thought they upgraded the oil pump. Just curious about the upgrades. They recommend, and, used 5w30 QSUFS. Updates to follow
 
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Originally Posted by wemay
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
Originally Posted by wemay
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
My girlfriend's 2013 2.4 Sonata still doesn't use any but we change it every 3 months which is about 2k miles or less. It does look very black and smell like fuel. It was worse before when she went 3k miles and paid no attention to time (probably 7-8 months between oil changes). All extremely short trips, cold weather half the year. She never checks the oil and doesn't think that is a normal thing to do. I told her she was "wrong" lol. I'm sure with the big deal I made about it and the engine problems it will probably never fail now because that would just prove me right.

Her previous vehicle, a hand me down early 2000s Ford Windstar told her when to change the oil and if it was low. She found it odd when the new 2013 didn't say anything and after 10,000kms she went to the dealer and asked and they said "no there is no oil change reminder"

Our 2002 and 2005 gm work trucks both have olm and low oil level indicator. I'm sure this cheap out cost Hyundai and Kia a lot of money (whatever percentage of failures were due to low oil).


You set the oil change mileage and the computer begins chiming once you're within 900 of the set miles. The closer you get, the more aggressive the chime.

I wonder if that is just on the limited models. I haven't seen that on hers and I've checked the gas mileage and reset it on the computer etc. (over 40mpg imperial)


I had a 2013 base model. It has it. Just toggle through the settings on the in-dash screen (between the tack and speedometer), you'll find it.



2013 to 2015 are the same...

Quote
This procedure should work on the latest model of Hyundai Sonata (2013, 2014, 2015) models. Hopefully, the article of Reset Service Required Indicator on 2013-2015 Hyundai Sonata useful for you. Good Luck!


It's not there. Hers doesn't have the touchscreen in the middle, that must be the difference. Hers has two trip counters, instant and average fuel economy, distance to empty and the odometer. That's it. Just like the dealership told her. No olm or anything similar.
 
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