Transmission fluid level plug Hyundai Santa Fe

[Urshurak776]

Hi all,

Went to remove the level check cap on front of transmission and it’s right up against a silver cooler casing. Didn’t notice it was an issue until I loosened it and it “snapped” the little wings off the side of the plug. See picture below. Why the heck would it be right up against the cooler?

So, bought the one below. The old one is back on, they don’t really tighten, they get snug, then loose, then snug, etc. I have it snug. Does not seem to leak at all. Now I need to figure out how to get the new one on. I think I need to loosen the bolts on the cooler and raise it enough to get plug out and back on. Stupid design.

The wings don’t seem to be a retention mechanism. Alignment maybe?

Any of you had this happen?

 

[walterjay]

Engineers should be shot for this kind of stuff.

 

[Urshurak776]

Engineers should be shot for this kind of stuff.

Agree. I just hope it doesn’t go flying off before I can get the new one on. I still don’t know how I’m going to access it.

 

[JavierH19]

How does the broken plug look on the case. Could you get a picture.

 

[Urshurak776]

How does the broken plug look on the case. Could you get a picture.

I’ll get one in morning. It looks fine. It tights snug, but if you keep turning it get loose, then tight.

My son drove to the store and back (maybe 5 miles) and I checked it before putting the bottom skid back on. No leaks.

New one will be here tomorrow, so going to swap it out. I guess I need to loosen mounting brackets on the cooler that’s right against it. Hopefully give me enough play. Absolutely idiotic design….

I’ll take photos of everything tomorrow.

It’s a 2019 Santa Fe 2.4L.

 

[dubber09]

You're supposed to turn it 90 deg counter clockwise and pull it out. Reinstall is - put it in and turn 90 deg clockwise till it stops, no force required.

 

[Urshurak776]

You're supposed to turn it 90 deg counter clockwise and pull it out. Reinstall is - put it in and turn 90 deg clockwise till it stops, no force required.

I understand. Done a bunch of these. Never on this car. No way to turn it counter clockwise as the wings were right up against the cooler, which is mounted to the front of the transmission. I moved it maybe an 1/8” and snap……then I realized what happened.

 

[Urshurak776]

Looks like someone else has the issue also. They said they had to remove three 10mm bolts from oil cooler and swing it out of way just enough to get plug out.

https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/transmission-oil-level-plug-issues.725727/

 

[dubber09]

How did this design pass QC? Reminds me of Mazda CX-30 where I was looking at changing transfer case fluid, no way to remove fill plug easily....
2 Kias here and neither has this issue.

 

[Urshurak776]

How did this design pass QC? Reminds me of Mazda CX-30 where I was looking at changing transfer case fluid, no way to remove fill plug easily....
2 Kias here and neither has this issue.

Yeah, had an older Santa Fe, a Tucson and a Kia Rio. None of them had this issue. It’s ridiculous.

My wife has a Mazda CX-5 AWD. I hope it’s not too difficult on her car.

 

[Urshurak776]

Update:

New plug came in. Removed 3 bolts on oil cooler mount and loosened the top one. Gave me enough room to get old plug out and pop new one in.

Dumb design….