Hyundai Sonata 2011 Turbo

[poiuy223]

My Sonata turbo just hit roughly 43k mi. I took it in to the dealer to have the brake switch issue fixed (some faulty switch prevented the car from starting normally). While in the shop, the service agent gave me a call advising me of a couple of additional (what a surprise).

1. cabin air filter and evaporation system. cabin air filter was clogged with gunk (even though I changed it 6 mo ago. not shocked that its dirty...was filthy when I switched it) and the evaporation was starting to have build up.

2. brake fluid flush. brake fluid showed signs of moisture.

3. throttle body cleaning. I asked them what exactly is being done during a throttle body cleaning and they explained that they clean the air filter compartment, put in a new air filter, and add some chemicals to help with fuel injection cleaning.

In the end, I had #1 and #2 services done since I can't do the work myself and didn't want to risk voiding any kind of warranty. The total came out to $260. #3 is just silly. I can do that myself with a vacuum and a bottle of Techron.

Do you guys think I was had? My buddy is telling me that I was fooled.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I think you did the right thing on all three counts. I would have done the same.

FYI, may car mfgs recommend replacing the brake fluid every 2 years.

 

[Rand]

cabin air filter is 15$ aftermarket and takes 5min to do.. with no tools.. you probably paid 99$

other than that.. I'd ask why your 1 year old car is getting moisture in the brakes that fast.

 

[LineArrayNut]

+1 If you can change your own engine air filter you can change the the cabin air filter - it's behind the glove box.

 

[poiuy223]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I think you did the right thing on all three counts. I would have done the same.

FYI, may car mfgs recommend replacing the brake fluid every 2 years.

That's good to know. Thanks.

Originally Posted By: Rand
cabin air filter is 15$ aftermarket and takes 5min to do.. with no tools.. you probably paid 99$

other than that.. I'd ask why your 1 year old car is getting moisture in the brakes that fast.

Yeah, I picked up a few cabin air filters from RockAuto and switch it out myself. It's the evaporation system that's getting nasty and that is the part I can't work on myself. Guess I'm forced to pay $100/hr labor for some guy to do maid work in there.

As for the brake fluid issue, good point. I will definitely be asking why moisture is showing up.

For those auto carwashes that have underbody wash, would that increase chances of getting moisture into the system?

 

[abycat]

Yeah 1 year old fluid should not have moisture and the air filter compartment on the filtered side should be spotless. I think you were had as much as any other guy that went to the dealer. Its all about the $. If you dont care about the warranty then say no but I think you did the right thing, for your warranty.

I didnt see the underbody question. I use a underbody spray every time my car goes to the car wash and I drive it on ramps and clean the bottom to perfection every time I wash it, which is every couple days. I have had 0 issues and I even spray the engine off every 3 or so times. Also At work I wash hundreds of engines off and have never had a prob.

 

[johnachak]

I would have said thanks for the info on the filter and changed it again myself as you had done already. As for the brake fluid change, it was due and it is good to do religiously. When we used to do brake jobs we always bled the brake fluid till it came out clean. nowadays it is no longer part of a brake job. As for the throttle body cleaning, it is supposed to include exposing and cleaning the throttle body as part of the service. I'm surprised the dealer didn't say that was included. After that, they put in concentrated fuel injector cleaner. I would have passed on that too since they didn't seem to know what to do.
In short, you did well.

 

[Familyguy]

I'm hearing a lot of feedback from Hyundai/Kia folks with bum brake switches. I haven't been affected (yet). Fortunately, it's easy to change.

The other stuff was just "target of opportunity" salesmanship by the service tech. The only one of those services with any merit was the brake switch. The throttle body and fluid exchange were un-necessary and pure profit. The cabin filter takes about 2 minutes to change and they're available at your local parts store.

Early adopters were also complaining about issues with losing boost. That seems to have been resolved with some adjustments to the wastegate.

Best,

 

[JHZR2]

Isn't the sonata turbo a DI engine??

 

[Rocko1]

To put it nicely, they prayed on your lack of knowledge about cars. I have never seen a 1 year old car develop water in the brake fluid. Actually, my 34 year old Ford Truck has never had moisture in the brake fluid. Cabin filters are like the others said a less than 5 minute and $15 job. You don't even need one really. That is NOT how you clean the throttle body, that is how you rip people off and you don't need it at less than say 75K miles at worst case.

What good is a 100K mile warranty from them?

 

[LineArrayNut]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Isn't the sonata turbo a DI engine??


Yes. All DI w/ just a hint of intake valve open when intial spray starts. (crosses fingers) we'll see (knocks on wood) about build-up (pays out the nose for low NOACK oil and frequent changes) sometime later ala TFSI etc.

 

[Rocko1]

Find another dealer. And if in this boat again, decline all offered services and go home and post here, we can help.

 

[sciphi]

If the car was an early 2011 the brake fluid service was likely legitimate. It's been maybe 2 years, so it's due around the 2-3 year mark. Just because it's a MY 2011 car doesn't mean it's a year old. My MY 2012 car is 10 months old already. And, some evaporator coils can be a real bear to clean, so paying somebody else to do it isn't out of line.

Although Southern California is a much better climate for cars than almost anywhere else in the US with fairly steady temperatures and no salt on the roads.

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: poiuy223
In the end, I had #1 and #2 services done since I can't do the work myself and didn't want to risk voiding any kind of warranty. The total came out to $260. #3 is just silly. I can do that myself with a vacuum and a bottle of Techron.

Good move skipping #3, their service description sounds weak. Only thing you might have done yourself is the cabin filter, but as long as they were doing evap. service, what the heck. They don't call it the stealership for nothing.

Since your car is DI, I have a suggestion for you regarding intake/combustion cleaning and it's currently on special at Amazon. It's called 3M Fuel System Tune-Up Kit and it covers all the aspects of DI combustion chamber cleaning including the intake valves with it's intake system cleaner. Currently $23-28 with rebate and/or subscription. 3M Fuel System Tune Up Kit.

With substantial miles now on your Sonata, curious about your overall impressions of the 2.0 Turbo?

 

[Rocko1]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
If the car was an early 2011 the brake fluid service was likely legitimate. It's been maybe 2 years, so it's due around the 2-3 year mark. Just because it's a MY 2011 car doesn't mean it's a year old. My MY 2012 car is 10 months old already. And, some evaporator coils can be a real bear to clean, so paying somebody else to do it isn't out of line.

Although Southern California is a much better climate for cars than almost anywhere else in the US with fairly steady temperatures and no salt on the roads.


You would pay for this service?

In no way is that a normal service item for the mileage or year built.

 

[wolf_06]

They probably saw you comming, when you look not sure or ignorent about certain things, they will abuse of the situation. I had the same kind of issue with my hyundai dealer. They charge me $350 for an o2 sensor, plus labour and the scan tool. Plus they told me there was no part acailable in the area exept their genuine part. I called napa, they had o2 sensors for $87, ngk brand. So its a complete ripoff. Bring back the car to get the after market sensor and my godamn money back, never again.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: poiuy223
As for the brake fluid issue, good point. I will definitely be asking why moisture is showing up.

For those auto carwashes that have underbody wash, would that increase chances of getting moisture into the system?

The master cylinder reservoir is vented to atmosphere. This is so that, as the fluid level drops over time, air can move in and prevent a vacuum from forming above the fluid. As air enters, some of the moisture in the air will eventually end up in the fluid. Having said that, this moisture ingress will be impossible to see on a 2011 car. That car simply hasn't been in existence on Earth long enough for sufficiently-visible water to accumulate in the reservoir.

Your Hyundai dealer is a separate company, with different ownership, from Hyundai corporate. The dealer may sell (or attempt to sell) you whatever he wants, and there's nothing Hyundai can do about it. This includes selling you services that are not listed or recommended in your Owner's Manual. The dealer's owner is running a business that it meant to make money. Guess how they make it? By selling stuff to you. Some of that stuff is necessary, and some isn't.

If you want to avoid spending money on unnecessary servicing, read your Owner's Manual. It was written by Hyundai, not the dealer.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: LineArrayNut
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Isn't the sonata turbo a DI engine??


Yes. All DI w/ just a hint of intake valve open when intial spray starts. (crosses fingers) we'll see (knocks on wood) about build-up (pays out the nose for low NOACK oil and frequent changes) sometime later ala TFSI etc.


Well, DI engines do NOT have throttle bodies, correct???

If this is the case, being charged for throttle body service is not only thievery, but I would say should be reported to both the dealership upper management (who will do a slap on the wrist), and Hyundai USA (who may care a bit more but I doubt it).

 

[L_Sludger]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: LineArrayNut
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Isn't the sonata turbo a DI engine??


Yes. All DI w/ just a hint of intake valve open when intial spray starts. (crosses fingers) we'll see (knocks on wood) about build-up (pays out the nose for low NOACK oil and frequent changes) sometime later ala TFSI etc.


Well, DI engines do NOT have throttle bodies, correct???
What? They do have throttle bodies.

 

[Sayjac]

Quote:
What? They do have throttle bodies.

+1 Why wouldn't they? What would control the air intake without one?

As the above the poster pointed out, this is the dealership not Hyundai. And yeah, the price was high with some service that may have delayed. But, the OP has put on a lot of miles on a short time, and throwing the stealership a bone while in for a recall isn't the worst thing in the world. Keeping up some dealer good will while maintaining the 100k warranty would balance out some of the cost, imo. I think the OP didn't do that badly with his decision making here.