Elantra owners: oil-advice needed.

[97tbird]

Hi guys,

Wifey's 2003 Elantra has about 28k now. runs fine, but I can't help feeling that the engine can be lot smoother while idling, and quieter.
(My wife doesn't complain, she just thinks it's perfectly normal...but as BITOG member, I have to make this better.

Still under warranty, and the dealership in Fayetville, NC uses 10w/30 Pennzoil; I know this is not a bad oil, but I do believe this engine could be quieter. (I know a guy who has a 2003 GT-same engine-and his Elantra is a little quieter than wifey's...he does his own OC, and uses Castrol GTX 10/30)

At Last oil change, I told the wife to ask the daelership service-guy if he could go with a thicker oil(owner's manual recommends up to 10/40 and even 20/50!!). The guy won't hear of it, sort of disregarded her, I guess.

So I'm wondering if I should add a bottle (or a suitable amount of) Synpower oil treatment(platinum bottle) to the Pennz. 10/30. to get rid of the shake/rattle.(you can feel the "shake" in the steering wheel, seat etc., but it's not "bad" ...just "could be less")

What do you guys run in the Elantras? I know we have a few Elantra owners here(or owners of other Hyundais which have the same engine)

Thanks in advance.

 

[haley10]

Pennzoil and Castrol 10W-30 are excellent. Try the PZ HI-Mileage and see if it helps. I wouldn't go beyond that in Winter. In fact I'd use 5W-30 in Winter and not worry about the noise.

Thicker oils will reduce noise, but it doesn't mean they protect any better.

The dealer was right, I wouldn't do 10W-40 or 20W-50.

 

[cryptokid]

hailey, the OWNERS MANUAL says 20w50 is OK if the temps are within reason.

 

[blupupher]

I am running GC in my '04 Elantra (BETA II engine, your wifes is the BETA) and it runs very smooth and quiet, but did from day one.
In my Tucson (same motor) it is still on factory fill and is also very smooth and quiet (quieter than the Elantra, I have tried to start it 2x now with it already running) and will be going to DuraBlend 10W-30 after my 2 free Dealer oil changes (they use Mobil DC 10W-30) and my initial drain @ 1000 miles will be with Valvoline dino 10W-30.

 

[1 FMF]

the shake you describe while idling makes me think more of spark plugs, spark plug wires, engine timing and/or fuel, more than the type of oil being run. But if you really want to try a different oil to quiet it down, I think 15w-40 delo or delvac would be the most effective.
On second thought, try running some fuel injector cleaner and throw on a new fuel filter and run it hard. Maybe you have a faulty injector or got some bad gas.

the model engine you have is a BETA? And there's a BETA II? Maybe you should got the car with the the stable version of the engine, not the beta version, there's your problem. The car's computer isn't running Windows for an operating system is it

[ January 15, 2005, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: 1 FMF ]

 

[Shaman]

Can i recommend, if you haven't already, heading to the dealership. Have the do the computer reflash and fix the fuel tank problem.

My brother runs castrol gtx 10w30

[ January 15, 2005, 09:18 PM: Message edited by: Shaman ]

 

[Korean_redneck]

well, if its 28k ...30k is the first major Maintenance schedule.. if you change whatever the manual tells you .. you engine will be alot smoother

believe me I have a 99 Tiburon with the same 2.0 engine as you.. but mine is a BETA I series with 90k on the odomenter.. just had a major tune up.. runs alot of smoother.

 

[Propflux01]

I run Castrol semi syn 10w-30. Mine ran slightly rough 39K on it now. Nothing has been done except oil changes. I used gumout FI cleaner, a bottle in a 1/4 full tank of gas ( I never read directions!) ran that out, roughness went away.

 

[97tbird]

Thanks a lot for all the replies, guys.

The car, first of all has no mechanical problems. Dealer maintentence has been done excatly per owner's manual. and the engine runs perfectly...I just thought of how to make the "normally" buzzy engine a little quieter. There are no driveablity issues with the Elantra, either...it has been a really good car for us.

SHAMAN:
I didn't know about a "fuel tank problem" with Elantras...is this a recall or something? we haven't been notified about this or having to have the computer reflashed.(perhaps ours is not affected?)
How did you know about this?
Can you give us some more info about this, please?
did the dealer do it free of charge?

I'd LOVE to run a 15/40 in the Ellie. As it's still under warranty and maintained by the dealer, I don't hink I'll be able to change the oil brand/or grade(I can ask, though). That's why I thought of the Synpower Oil treatment, which is highly regarded here.

Thanks again...you guys are great.

 

[Shaman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 97tbird:

SHAMAN:
I didn't know about a "fuel tank problem" with Elantras...is this a recall or something? we haven't been notified about this or having to have the computer reflashed.(perhaps ours is not affected?)
How did you know about this?
Can you give us some more info about this, please?
did the dealer do it free of charge?

---

Check here for information on the recall

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=783

The computer reflash is for a lag in performance between 3500-4000 rpms. These should be done at no charge to you.

 

[97tbird]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shaman:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 97tbird:

SHAMAN:
I didn't know about a "fuel tank problem" with Elantras...is this a recall or something? we haven't been notified about this or having to have the computer reflashed.(perhaps ours is not affected?)
How did you know about this?
Can you give us some more info about this, please?
did the dealer do it free of charge?

---

Check here for information on the recall

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=783

The computer reflash is for a lag in performance between 3500-4000 rpms. These should be done at no charge to you.

---

Shaman,
Thanks for the reply. However, that link takes me to a log-in page of the website, and tells me that I don't have access to that page, so I can't view it.

I'm going to try the NHTSA website too.

 

[blupupher]

here you go

 

[97tbird]

Hey, thanks a lot. I'm going to talk to the dealer about this very soon....hopefully my wife's Elantra is not affeceted.

Oh: about the CPM reflash, though...is that a different recall or TSB or something? 'cause the nhtsa.com website only has 2 recalls for Elantras...nothing concerning a CPM reprogramm...That's why I thought it is a TSB perhaps.
Where can I find info on that one?
or shall I just ask the dealer?

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[blupupher]

The re-flash is a TSB, and most dealer don't seem to know about it.

HERE it is. It is a PDF file.

You also should sign up for the site linked to above (http://elantragtclub.tripod.com/elantra/). Lot's of good info on the Elantra.

 

[Ray H]

That extra fuel system cutoff valve involves cutting the fuel filler tube's vapor pressure equalization hose down near the tank and connecting a small platic-cased one-way valve to the two ends. The install on my 2003 Sonata (bought December 2002) took about 15 minutes. If your car is/was subject to the recall, you should get a letter advising you to call your servicing dealer to make an appointment for installation. Some 2003 Elantras had defective and/or improperly torqued engine mounts that resulted in mildly excessive vibration at idle and when accelerating from a stop or slow roll - might wanna inquire with your servicing dealer.

Hyundai not only advises that 20W-40 and 20W-50 motor oil are acceptable in the company's 2003 model year engines for temperatures above 32 degrees F., the owner's manual advises use of "SG" oils is acceptable! Nice to know these little Hyundai powerhouses are so accomodating - welcome to 1994. For the new 2006 Sonata due out in a couple of months, I wonder whose owner manual's motor oil requirement text Hyundai's brainiacs scanned and copied - that from one of the 1998 Japanese makes? I'm surprised mine isn't gagging on Havoline "SL/GF-3" 10W-30. "SM" will probably kill it...

 

[TheFuror]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 97tbird:
Hi guys,

Wifey's 2003 Elantra has about 28k now. runs fine, but I can't help feeling that the engine can be lot smoother while idling, and quieter.
(My wife doesn't complain, she just thinks it's perfectly normal...but as BITOG member, I have to make this better.

Still under warranty, and the dealership in Fayetville, NC uses 10w/30 Pennzoil; I know this is not a bad oil, but I do believe this engine could be quieter. (I know a guy who has a 2003 GT-same engine-and his Elantra is a little quieter than wifey's...he does his own OC, and uses Castrol GTX 10/30)...What do you guys run in the Elantras? I know we have a few Elantra owners here(or owners of other Hyundais which have the same engine)

Thanks in advance.

---

My brother-in-law has an Elantra and he uses GTX 10w-30 and really likes the way it runs.

Bob W.

 

[MikeR]

I'd stick with the factory recommendation until the car is out of its lengthy warranty. You wouldn't want to give the dealer any ammunition against you if you have major engine issues

We had a 2001 Elantra and it gave us quite a bit of trouble. Engine replaced at 17k for piston slap, cracked an exhaust manifold, bad coil pack, smog pump, wheel bearings. Ate headlight bulbs like candy for some reason. Hope they've worked out the bugs, or at least we had a lemon.

good luck,
mr