2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra/Kona WTS Coolant Leak Repair

Hyundai has launched Service Campaign 22-01-032H to address a potential coolant leak issue affecting certain 2021 Hyundai Elantra and 2022 Hyundai Kona vehicles. This campaign specifically targets models equipped with the 2.0L Nu engine.

The core of the problem is related to the Water Temperature Sensor (WTS). Machining burrs present at the mounting port of the cylinder head can prevent the WTS from sealing correctly, resulting in a coolant leak. This issue can lead to a low coolant level and potentially affect engine cooling performance.

Symptoms

The primary symptom owners might observe is a coolant leak originating from the area around the Water Temperature Sensor (WTS). This leak is a direct result of improper sealing due to manufacturing imperfections.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

Technicians will diagnose this issue by inspecting the Water Temperature Sensor (WTS) area for signs of coolant leakage. The presence of coolant at the WTS mounting port indicates the need for repair under this service campaign. The issue is specifically linked to machining burrs at the cylinder head mounting port.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair procedure involves several steps to rectify the coolant leak at the Water Temperature Sensor (WTS). First, the vehicle is prepared by covering the front, disconnecting the battery, and recording radio presets. Various components, including the wiring holder, engine under cover, intake air flow sensor, intake hose, vacuum hose, purge control solenoid valve (PCSV) connector, injector connectors, and engine wiring connector, are carefully removed to gain access to the intake manifold.

After draining any existing coolant and removing the intake manifold, the old WTS is disconnected and removed. The critical step involves using 400 grit sandpaper, wrapped around a Phillips screwdriver, to carefully sand away the machining burrs from the WTS O-ring sealing surface in the cylinder head mounting hole. After sanding, the area is thoroughly cleaned with shop air and a lint-free cloth to remove all burr chips and coolant residue.

A new Water Temperature Sensor (WTS) and gasket kit are then installed. It is crucial to lubricate the new WTS O-ring with coolant before installation to prevent pinching damage. Finally, all removed components, including the intake manifold, are reinstalled in reverse order, ensuring proper tightening torques. The cooling system is refilled and air-bled according to shop manual procedures, and the battery is reconnected, with radio presets reprogrammed. A final check for any coolant leaks is performed to confirm the repair.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform this repair, technicians will use:

• 400 Grit Sand Paper: Commercially available, cut into 4-inch by 4-inch pieces.
• Water Temperature Sensor (WTS) and Gasket Kit: Part Number 28313-2J000-QQH. This kit includes:
  • Water Temp Sensor (39220-2J100)
  • GASKET-PORT (28313-2J300)
  • GASKET-PCV (28313-2J301)
  • GASKET-EGR (28314-2J300)

Important Warnings

Hyundai has issued specific instructions and warnings regarding this service campaign:

• "Dealers must perform this Service Campaign on all affected vehicles prior to customer retail delivery and whenever an affected vehicle is in the shop for any maintenance or repair."
• When installing the new WTS, it is "important to lubricate and prevent any pinching damage to the WTS O-ring seal during installation."
• "Low coolant level and/or improper air bleeding of the cooling system may result in poor engine cooling, improper HVAC system performance, and abnormal noise from the cooling system." This highlights the importance of proper coolant system maintenance after the repair.
• If additional parts are found to need replacement during the campaign repair and are still under warranty, a separate claim should be submitted. For parts out of warranty, prior approval for goodwill consideration is required.
• The use of sandpaper and coolant, up to $5.00, will be reimbursed as a sublet cost under the operation code.

Owner Action

If you own a 2021 Hyundai Elantra or 2022 Hyundai Kona with a 2.0L Nu engine, you should contact your authorized Hyundai dealer to schedule an appointment for Service Campaign 22-01-032H. This repair will be performed free of charge. Dealers are instructed to perform this service on all affected vehicles before retail delivery and whenever an affected vehicle is brought in for any maintenance or repair. The repair addresses the Hyundai Elantra WTS leak and related models.

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NHTSA ID: 10210210