Seeking Advice on '07 Hyundai Tiburon's Engine Issues Possibly Related to Intake Air Temperature Sensor

Hey there, I totally get your frustration. I have some experience with cars and happened to run into a similar problem with my '09 Hyundai Elantra a while back. It turned out my Intake air temperature sensor was defective too. The symptoms were almost similar to yours - poor fuel economy, lack of power, etc. For me, the fault code pointed the finger at it. My local mechanic sorted it out for me. He used a scanner to diagnose the fault and replaced the faulty sensor. It wasn't too pricey - set me back about 155€. Before throwing any advice your way, could you tell me a bit more about your car? Like its milage, any previous concerning issues, and when was the last time you changed its oil or any of its sensors? It would help me give a more tailored piece of advice. Remember, every car can have its quirks!

Hey! Thanks for sharing your experience. Good to know I'm not alone in this. My baby has been running for 61941 KM, and I had my last engine oil change about six months ago. The last service was around the same time. I don't recall ever replacing the intake sensor, so it's probably the original one. There weren't any concerning issues until the check engine light started lighting up. I'm a bit bummed since it's been a fairly reliable ride for most of its life. But I guess, as you said, every car has its quirky moments, right? Ha! Cheers for the help so far. Looking forward to seeing what you'd suggest.

Hey! No need to worry. The mileage on your Tiburon isn't too high, but it's definitely high enough for various parts to start showing signs of wear and tear. That’s pretty normal. Based on what you're telling me, my first hunch is that your intake air temperature (IAT) sensor might be on its way out, especially considering it's likely the original one. When this sensor starts to fail, you can get symptoms like what you're experiencing—poor fuel economy, drop in power, and that unsteady feel to the engine. You might want to have someone (either you or a mechanic) plug in an OBD-II scanner to check for any error codes. If it's anything like my Elantra experience, it'll probably point to the IAT sensor. Replacing it isn't a massive job and shouldn't cost too much. Apart from that, it's a good habit to regularly service those little parts that can get overlooked—like spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters. These could contribute to the symptoms you've described, and they're usually pretty cheap to replace. I suggest to take it to your local mechanic, have them take a look at the things we discussed—hopefully, it will be a quick fix! Always here if you want to discuss it further or if anything else pops up. Hang in there!

Hey there, I really appreciate that you've taken the time to share your insights. I'll definitely get my Tiburon checked out with an OBD-II scanner and see if the IAT sensor is the culprit. I've also made a note to get the spark plugs, air filters, and fuel filters checked, too. It's been a while since I last replaced those. I've got my fingers crossed that this will sort things out. I'll be sure to swing in for a chat if I need more advice down the line or to update you on how it goes. Thanks for the moral boost and the help! Take care!