New Car Advice Water Pump
08-09-15, 08:57 AM
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New Car Advice Water Pump
Hello,
I'm about to buy a used lexus 2007. I know it has timing chain. The seller has all the records of service at the dealer. The car is 89,000 miles. One issue is he did not change the water pump. Is it time to change the water pump ? I don't want to pay additional repair on top of the car I'm about to purchase. Please let me know if I have to replace it at 89,000 miles or can a water pump lasts longer ? Please help. I'm new to this.
I'm about to buy a used lexus 2007. I know it has timing chain. The seller has all the records of service at the dealer. The car is 89,000 miles. One issue is he did not change the water pump. Is it time to change the water pump ? I don't want to pay additional repair on top of the car I'm about to purchase. Please let me know if I have to replace it at 89,000 miles or can a water pump lasts longer ? Please help. I'm new to this.
08-09-15, 09:20 AM
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You'd need to check to see if there is any coolant coming from the water pump weep hole or determine if the water pump bearings are making any noise. There is no specific mileage where they typically fail. I've seen some 2GR-FE-equipped cars that had water pump failures at 50,000 miles, while others lasted up to 130,000 miles.
Just realize that replacing the water pump is fairly complex and is costly. Lexus quoted me $1,100 for the parts and labor. Parts were $330, the rest was labor. That should give you an idea on how big of a pain the pump is, even for a DIYer. As an FYI, the Aisin pump(company that makes the OEM water pump) itself can be had for around $90-100 on eBay if you want to DIY or buy the parts for a mechanic to do it.
Also, realize that the 2008 ES350 has redesigned side mirrors and door seals to reduce wind noise complaints that 2007 owners had. It also has redesigned lighting for the rear. If you can find a 2008 for a similar price, I would pick that over the 2007. If you're set on the 2007, I would use the cost of the water pump as a negotiating point, as that's quite expensive.
Just realize that replacing the water pump is fairly complex and is costly. Lexus quoted me $1,100 for the parts and labor. Parts were $330, the rest was labor. That should give you an idea on how big of a pain the pump is, even for a DIYer. As an FYI, the Aisin pump(company that makes the OEM water pump) itself can be had for around $90-100 on eBay if you want to DIY or buy the parts for a mechanic to do it.
Also, realize that the 2008 ES350 has redesigned side mirrors and door seals to reduce wind noise complaints that 2007 owners had. It also has redesigned lighting for the rear. If you can find a 2008 for a similar price, I would pick that over the 2007. If you're set on the 2007, I would use the cost of the water pump as a negotiating point, as that's quite expensive.
I heard that they can go at least 150,000 miles. Is that true ?
The car I'm buying is in very good condition. 13K at 90,000 miles. Should I drive until the water pump fail ? Or replace it now at 90,000 ? Or should I drive to 150,000 miles and replace.
08-11-15, 11:08 AM
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08-12-15, 04:48 PM
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You've answered your own concern by doing just what you've suggested, which makes the "preemptive maintenance" of replacing the coolant pump a total waste of money, as malacomb has stated. As we've seen on this very forum the coolant pumps on these cars can fail due to contamination of the shaft bearing by coolant leaking past the face-type seal anywhere from (if I remember correctly) about 29,000 miles to never. I'm sure that if you were to look at the failure rate of the coolant pump on the huge number of these engines in service as a percentage, it would be very low.
08-13-15, 07:23 AM
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08-14-15, 07:14 AM
#8
number of cars with water pump still going strong % > water pump weep/failure % > water pump EXPLODING %
This being said, in my opinion if you pay attention to the car you'll catch the water pump showing signs it's failing. In extreme cases, the water pump will do something you don't expect - as in your case exploding and taking out the engine (?). In any case - you could have replaced said water pump before it had issues and had the exact same issues crop up with a replacement, as to my knowledge they (Toyota) hasn't changed the original design any.
08-14-15, 08:11 PM
#9
The coolant pump is a simple component comprised of the housing, a centrifugal impeller, a shaft, a bearing, and the seal. It's unlikely to have "exploded" without exhibiting prior issues like leaking coolant and bearing failure (noise, loose/wobbley pulley, for example).
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