2012 Hyundai Sonata Engine & Transmission Swap Huge Win Thanks to Wilbert’s!
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Date: 2025-10-11
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Comments and reviews: 20
SLC-e7z
Ok here is a salvage car story. Couple of years ago, I bought a 2009 Accord, for my grandson for about $8000. Few months later someone smashed the left two doors with part of the lower rear frame behind left passenger door. Insurance company totaled the car gave us about $7500 and sold it back to us for the salvage yard value of $1800. That seems high to me, I have never gotten more than $500 selling a car to a salvage yard. The bum that hit the car tried to settle with us for $1000. Not having any of that. So now my grandson has this car for out of pocket cost around $2300 (8000-7500-1800. By this time we had put new brakes all around, timing belt replace (it is a v6) and new tires. So I did not want to give this car to a salvage yard. Fast forward a few months and the grandson clipped the left rear of a car and now has a dent in the right front fender. The same insurance company totaled it again but because of the left door damage they totaled it for $5000 and we bought it back for the salvage value of $1800, so we got $3200 this time. By now we had received $900 over and above the original cost of the car. Next my grandson and I went to a LKQ salvage yard outside Baltimore and pulled the two left doors for about $350. Same color so no need to repaint. Two weekends later we had the doors on, with a lot of swapping of parts, but these doors seal perfectly. Grandson now decided he wanted a RAM pickup and I now own the car. A little bit of DIY and I have a third car for little to no cost and I know the most recent heritage of the car.
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Ok here is a salvage car story. Couple of years ago, I bought a 2009 Accord, for my grandson for about $8000. Few months later someone smashed the left two doors with part of the lower rear frame behind left passenger door. Insurance company totaled the car gave us about $7500 and sold it back to us for the salvage yard value of $1800. That seems high to me, I have never gotten more than $500 selling a car to a salvage yard. The bum that hit the car tried to settle with us for $1000. Not having any of that. So now my grandson has this car for out of pocket cost around $2300 (8000-7500-1800. By this time we had put new brakes all around, timing belt replace (it is a v6) and new tires. So I did not want to give this car to a salvage yard. Fast forward a few months and the grandson clipped the left rear of a car and now has a dent in the right front fender. The same insurance company totaled it again but because of the left door damage they totaled it for $5000 and we bought it back for the salvage value of $1800, so we got $3200 this time. By now we had received $900 over and above the original cost of the car. Next my grandson and I went to a LKQ salvage yard outside Baltimore and pulled the two left doors for about $350. Same color so no need to repaint. Two weekends later we had the doors on, with a lot of swapping of parts, but these doors seal perfectly. Grandson now decided he wanted a RAM pickup and I now own the car. A little bit of DIY and I have a third car for little to no cost and I know the most recent heritage of the car.
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FailedSquare
YF sonata, the theta 2 has lifter noise like crazy even when its in good condition.
Mine is a 2013, after like 3-4 years about 2 weeks after the recall inspection for the oil flow problem (which they said it passed with no issues) i got off the freeway and heard the engine knocking like crazy. I drove it to the dealer lot, parked it and took the keys inside. They took care of me even though i was out of the warranty period. Rebuilt with a short block at about 60k miles and its still going at 115k.
The engine burns oil, about a quart over 5000 miles. Its getting worse on oil but it still runs and its one of the better handling cars ive owned.
Ill check wildberts next time i need a part for sure.
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YF sonata, the theta 2 has lifter noise like crazy even when its in good condition.
Mine is a 2013, after like 3-4 years about 2 weeks after the recall inspection for the oil flow problem (which they said it passed with no issues) i got off the freeway and heard the engine knocking like crazy. I drove it to the dealer lot, parked it and took the keys inside. They took care of me even though i was out of the warranty period. Rebuilt with a short block at about 60k miles and its still going at 115k.
The engine burns oil, about a quart over 5000 miles. Its getting worse on oil but it still runs and its one of the better handling cars ive owned.
Ill check wildberts next time i need a part for sure.
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Hurtydwarf
I've looked up a bunch of different part search websites just through random googling and even some sites that ChrisFix has suggested. Haven't been able to find a frame for my truck since it was already a less common model, and given its 14 year old age is basically extinct at this point, but having another resource through Wilbert's, maybe theres yet hope. The truck was the first vehicle I fully paid for and have put a few tens of thousands of miles on in the years I've owned it, engine and transmission still run great, electrical is all fine, only problem is the frame got absolutely smackered from the salt and me not having the knowledge to protect it at the time, so I dont just want to give the truck up.
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I've looked up a bunch of different part search websites just through random googling and even some sites that ChrisFix has suggested. Haven't been able to find a frame for my truck since it was already a less common model, and given its 14 year old age is basically extinct at this point, but having another resource through Wilbert's, maybe theres yet hope. The truck was the first vehicle I fully paid for and have put a few tens of thousands of miles on in the years I've owned it, engine and transmission still run great, electrical is all fine, only problem is the frame got absolutely smackered from the salt and me not having the knowledge to protect it at the time, so I dont just want to give the truck up.
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user-pd8zr7nf5i
I went to new york once, the city. Yikes. but where you live, it looks really nice. Although wilburts is a funny name to me, i like it. It's different and old sounding. I like the fact that a place like that exists and does such an amazing job at what they do. I think its great that you have that resource and that they value you enough to do a nice business relationship like what you have. The internet is full of dicks not using their heads, so ignore em. Look at them like dog turds, avoid em, and keep on walking enjoying the people who are the beautiful flowers within life that make us feel great to be alive.
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I went to new york once, the city. Yikes. but where you live, it looks really nice. Although wilburts is a funny name to me, i like it. It's different and old sounding. I like the fact that a place like that exists and does such an amazing job at what they do. I think its great that you have that resource and that they value you enough to do a nice business relationship like what you have. The internet is full of dicks not using their heads, so ignore em. Look at them like dog turds, avoid em, and keep on walking enjoying the people who are the beautiful flowers within life that make us feel great to be alive.
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oldschool1993
My son in law had one of those Hyundai Sonatas with the factory defect motor- it finally seized up one day and we went shopping for a used motor. There is a local yard called B&R which also advertises nationwide inventory. They found a low mileage engine and we installed it. It lasted about 2 years before it blew up as well. Hyundai had a factory recall/replacement on those engines, but for some reason his car was not eligible. If you got a super duper low low price on that motor, it will probably last your son a few years, but they are a defective design and will eventually expire.
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My son in law had one of those Hyundai Sonatas with the factory defect motor- it finally seized up one day and we went shopping for a used motor. There is a local yard called B&R which also advertises nationwide inventory. They found a low mileage engine and we installed it. It lasted about 2 years before it blew up as well. Hyundai had a factory recall/replacement on those engines, but for some reason his car was not eligible. If you got a super duper low low price on that motor, it will probably last your son a few years, but they are a defective design and will eventually expire.
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kennethhendrie2091
Thank you for the off camber version of one of your videos if anybody’s been in the business long enough, they know finding good reliable parts with any kind of warranty it’s like shooting in the dark if they are not a sponsor, yet, they should be because your videos reach way further than general advertising, and you have a serious group of DIy watch what you do, I as a mechanic for 47 years appreciate somebody sharing something so appropriate for this industry and for the aftermarket mechanic thank you keep up the good content retired mechanic from California
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Thank you for the off camber version of one of your videos if anybody’s been in the business long enough, they know finding good reliable parts with any kind of warranty it’s like shooting in the dark if they are not a sponsor, yet, they should be because your videos reach way further than general advertising, and you have a serious group of DIy watch what you do, I as a mechanic for 47 years appreciate somebody sharing something so appropriate for this industry and for the aftermarket mechanic thank you keep up the good content retired mechanic from California
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larrythrasher1983
Been there done that, be glad you don’t live on a farm. Three sons three different four-wheel-drive pick ups started out with nothing rebuilt them each one putting in there time and labor, all three trucks lived and died on this farm. But it was cheap transportation, cheap insurance and if anything, they learned a lesson when they actually bought a real vehicle, which all three bought trucks made payments on they come to respect their vehicles a little more than I think some of the other young men neighborhood.
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Been there done that, be glad you don’t live on a farm. Three sons three different four-wheel-drive pick ups started out with nothing rebuilt them each one putting in there time and labor, all three trucks lived and died on this farm. But it was cheap transportation, cheap insurance and if anything, they learned a lesson when they actually bought a real vehicle, which all three bought trucks made payments on they come to respect their vehicles a little more than I think some of the other young men neighborhood.
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jacobfoxworth
Oooooo thank you thank you thank you! I just looked at Wilberts website and they literally have the exact year make and model, even the same color and trim as my car. My car is really rare in my area so I struggle to find parts and certain dealer/junkyard only parts are basically impossible to find because the manufacturer of my vehicle went out of business like 15 years ago I think. Omg im gonna pick that car clean. I might just see if they'll ship me the whole dang car. You're the man Eric and so is Wilberts! Yay!
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Oooooo thank you thank you thank you! I just looked at Wilberts website and they literally have the exact year make and model, even the same color and trim as my car. My car is really rare in my area so I struggle to find parts and certain dealer/junkyard only parts are basically impossible to find because the manufacturer of my vehicle went out of business like 15 years ago I think. Omg im gonna pick that car clean. I might just see if they'll ship me the whole dang car. You're the man Eric and so is Wilberts! Yay!
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dalesworld1308
Hit a pothole on Rte 17 (86) a few years ago with our 15 yer old Caravan and a shock mount broke off the axle leaving the shock clanging around bouncing off the road. Had to stay in a hotel for the night. van had 170, 000 miles on it and needed tires, full tune up, rust repair etc. Saw an ad for Rockwell-Simmons in Horseheads and just nursed the car there and bought a new van. Main point is that New York roads are in horrible condition and I can see how he cracked a transmission in half.
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Hit a pothole on Rte 17 (86) a few years ago with our 15 yer old Caravan and a shock mount broke off the axle leaving the shock clanging around bouncing off the road. Had to stay in a hotel for the night. van had 170, 000 miles on it and needed tires, full tune up, rust repair etc. Saw an ad for Rockwell-Simmons in Horseheads and just nursed the car there and bought a new van. Main point is that New York roads are in horrible condition and I can see how he cracked a transmission in half.
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davidsawyer7880
Thanks Eric. I am actually going to go to their site and see what they have to offer. Thanks for mentioning.
Okey dokie. I have been there and back. Unfortunately they didn't have what I wanted. But that's not on them. The site took some fiddling on my part. That's probably do to the fact I don't know how the salvage/recycling vehicle industry works. They had the parts. The price was inline with the local prices. The year wasn't available. Thank again.
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Thanks Eric. I am actually going to go to their site and see what they have to offer. Thanks for mentioning.
Okey dokie. I have been there and back. Unfortunately they didn't have what I wanted. But that's not on them. The site took some fiddling on my part. That's probably do to the fact I don't know how the salvage/recycling vehicle industry works. They had the parts. The price was inline with the local prices. The year wasn't available. Thank again.
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drivesalot0063
Awesome and well-earned endorsement about a company that very obviously deserved it. Eric, you are a good guy for recognizing and taking the opportunity to honestly speak about a company that you have an in-depth knowledge of. Wilbert's could not have dreamed of the value of your endorsement. Such companies are so rare these days. I feel like purchasing a shirt and having it shipped to me just because of how well they provide service for you!
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Awesome and well-earned endorsement about a company that very obviously deserved it. Eric, you are a good guy for recognizing and taking the opportunity to honestly speak about a company that you have an in-depth knowledge of. Wilbert's could not have dreamed of the value of your endorsement. Such companies are so rare these days. I feel like purchasing a shirt and having it shipped to me just because of how well they provide service for you!
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midgoog2
Eric, We were dirt poor and I really enjoyed the time I had with my Dad trying to keep his old beater a (1952 Standard Vanguard ) on the road using parts from the dead ones we had in the back yard.
Is the young'un going to be getting his hands dirty spending some quality time with Dad and maybe learning some stuff or is this going to be a surprise gifting
Looking forward to the posts on this one mate.
Cheers from Downunder
Eric E
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Eric, We were dirt poor and I really enjoyed the time I had with my Dad trying to keep his old beater a (1952 Standard Vanguard ) on the road using parts from the dead ones we had in the back yard.
Is the young'un going to be getting his hands dirty spending some quality time with Dad and maybe learning some stuff or is this going to be a surprise gifting
Looking forward to the posts on this one mate.
Cheers from Downunder
Eric E
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ralphwatten2426
Recycling yards around here are getting few and far between. There used to be lots of them, around 8 or so. The owners grew old, either died or retired and they're just gone. There are two of them here now and they're bout 2 and 40 miles away respectively. They mostly crush. I went out to the 40 miles away yard and the vehicles were mostly picked clean. You pull everything. Lucky to have Wilberts around there. Not a sponsor.
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Recycling yards around here are getting few and far between. There used to be lots of them, around 8 or so. The owners grew old, either died or retired and they're just gone. There are two of them here now and they're bout 2 and 40 miles away respectively. They mostly crush. I went out to the 40 miles away yard and the vehicles were mostly picked clean. You pull everything. Lucky to have Wilberts around there. Not a sponsor.
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WickedFrothin
I have this exact ride, I had the engine warrantied at 60k miles due to the excess residual metal left inside the engine during machining. Hyundai was great about it. I still commute daily about 100 miles round trip, and have 225k on the clock. Couldn't be happier with $0 a month payment! Looking forward to this series as I would replace an engine before getting another car payment - thanks SMA!
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I have this exact ride, I had the engine warrantied at 60k miles due to the excess residual metal left inside the engine during machining. Hyundai was great about it. I still commute daily about 100 miles round trip, and have 225k on the clock. Couldn't be happier with $0 a month payment! Looking forward to this series as I would replace an engine before getting another car payment - thanks SMA!
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OceanofMaya
I hope we see you doing more 'ads' in the future - not that this was but geez Eric and Mrs. O. you've put in the work, the time, the hours of experience, knowledge etc etc, approaching a million subs. Heck, put the funds in a trust fund for the kids some day or the like. Life isn't getting easier for anyone younger. And you can do all that and keep your values and principles. GL
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I hope we see you doing more 'ads' in the future - not that this was but geez Eric and Mrs. O. you've put in the work, the time, the hours of experience, knowledge etc etc, approaching a million subs. Heck, put the funds in a trust fund for the kids some day or the like. Life isn't getting easier for anyone younger. And you can do all that and keep your values and principles. GL
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stevenfuchs2548
Now that's a solid recommendation! I've loved junkyards since I could repair vehicles. I love when you go there to get parts. Right up my ally! I've recently dealt with a company in Texas for a engine for my daughters car ( which lasted 3 days, not engine fault ) which is a longer story. I'll be looking into Wilbert's for sure! Thanks again for your videos!
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Now that's a solid recommendation! I've loved junkyards since I could repair vehicles. I love when you go there to get parts. Right up my ally! I've recently dealt with a company in Texas for a engine for my daughters car ( which lasted 3 days, not engine fault ) which is a longer story. I'll be looking into Wilbert's for sure! Thanks again for your videos!
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mikechiodetti4482
This was a fantastic description about Wilbert's. I'm going to pass this on to a former co-worker as he has an older vehicle. Don't know if Wilbert's can help, but maybe they can give him info as to where he can get parts for his old cars. Thank you for this video. Looking forward to the upcoming swap of the engine and transmission for the Hyundai.
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This was a fantastic description about Wilbert's. I'm going to pass this on to a former co-worker as he has an older vehicle. Don't know if Wilbert's can help, but maybe they can give him info as to where he can get parts for his old cars. Thank you for this video. Looking forward to the upcoming swap of the engine and transmission for the Hyundai.
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autorepair
Good to know Wilberts ships. The 2 junk yards around me are terrible. No online inventory. They can’t or won’t tell you what cars are currently in the yard when you call. Their answer is come look. Also very cool that it looks like they actually leave the wiring harnesses with the component instead of cutting everything at the connectors like a monkey.
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Good to know Wilberts ships. The 2 junk yards around me are terrible. No online inventory. They can’t or won’t tell you what cars are currently in the yard when you call. Their answer is come look. Also very cool that it looks like they actually leave the wiring harnesses with the component instead of cutting everything at the connectors like a monkey.
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C-BodyGarage
I love my 2011 Sonata. Got a free engine at 100k miles due to the class action lawsuit on failing engines. Tranny on mine is original and working awesome. Car has 166k now and it still looks and rides great. Replacement motor has basically a lifetime warranty. If it fails again. which it may. its free to replace. My daughter drives it now and loves it.
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I love my 2011 Sonata. Got a free engine at 100k miles due to the class action lawsuit on failing engines. Tranny on mine is original and working awesome. Car has 166k now and it still looks and rides great. Replacement motor has basically a lifetime warranty. If it fails again. which it may. its free to replace. My daughter drives it now and loves it.
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JeRKII
This video explains a lot about how these salvage yards work.
Hope you are able to get another 55, 000 out of that used motor and trans or your even luckier and it's 1 that had already been replaced buy a dealer under warranty.
Looking forward to your video's keep up the good work and truly hope your kids enjoy the amazing parents you appear to be.
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This video explains a lot about how these salvage yards work.
Hope you are able to get another 55, 000 out of that used motor and trans or your even luckier and it's 1 that had already been replaced buy a dealer under warranty.
Looking forward to your video's keep up the good work and truly hope your kids enjoy the amazing parents you appear to be.
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