jasonnich

When running coolant is draining from bottom of water pump area. Does this mean pump is bad or just a o-ring or possibly gasket on pump? I also notice that i have no heat. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

GA400

Jasonnich,

I am no expert but here is what it sounds like to me. There is a hole in the cover of the water pump to monitor for leaks like this. It is to indicate if the pump is moving coolant or not. It sounds as if yours has stopped working, seized up, or had a gasket failure and the coolant is not circulating either in or out of the engine. It is flowing up to that point (the water pump) but it can't go any farther. I don't know of any way to tell exactly what failed without taking it off and checking. Your engine could quickly overheat in this state so be careful or you can do massive damage if it runs hot for any length of time.

I would get it to a mechanic as quickly as possible. If you drive it there keep a close eye on the temp gauge if it starts to climb close to red; pull over, shut it off and open the hood - do not touch the radiator cap . I would recommend a tow.

Good Luck,

GA400

jasonnich

Thanks for the advice! I am considering doing the job myself. I recently rebuilt my power sterring pump and have had no leaks since. I know this is a bigger job, but i want to learn. Thanks again

GA400

jasonnich,

Good job on rebuilding the power steering pump! I had that done recently, I wasn't brave enough to attempt it myself.

I have heard that if you are going to take off the water pump you may as well replace the timing belt if you are unsure if it has been done recently and vice versa. I wish I had some instructions/manual page scans to give you but I don't right now. Maybe some of the other kind folks here with more experience can give you a hand with that?

GA400

hyperopt

Either a bad gasket or o-ring seal failure. It's highly unlikely that the gasket goes bad especially after many years of service. I'll bet that the seals are about to go. If you see coolant leaking from the water pump drain hole, the seals are not doing their jobs allowing coolant to pass through and into the drain hole and some coolant may already flowed into the bearings. It's only a matter of time before the bearings freeze which then freeze the water pump, thus, shred your timing belt. In the mean time, as long as the water pump shaft still turns, coolant will still get pumped. Your only worry is when will the pump freeze?

jasonnich

I just ordered belt and pump from The Parts Bin. I found this place searching for lexus online parts. Have you heard anything about this place? The dealer wanted $206 for the water pump and the parts bin sold for $86.00 brand new. I don't understand how they can sell so cheap.

GA400

thanks for the tip on the parts bin. http://catalog.thepartsbin.com/defau...?selectmake=LX I bookmarked that one for later.

GA400

rybikowsky

jasonitch.Its not that the parts bin sells so low.It that those theives at lexus sell so high.

jasonnich

It should be a crime what dealers do, but we keep paying. I'll let everyone know how this install goes in a few days.