ajay60610

Dealer said i need a new water pump....cost is over $1,000...2009 RX-350 AWD 95,000 miles.....any way i can repair this water pump....can i buy a replacement on line and have a repair shop install[ lesser labor rate]...appreciate your input...thanks.

thomas1

Sure you can....here is a link of how it is done....kind of labor intensive...Part is cheap on Rock Auto.com
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ater-pump.html

MNSC3

iTrader: (1)

While your at it maybe shop around for a different make of car. 95,000 miles and the water pump is shot.That's a joke. Especially with Lexus so called quality and $1000.00 on top of it. Wonder why they recommend coolant changes at 100,000 or 120,000 miles?, so your water pump bearings will fail and you need a new one. Coolant fluids are NOT designed to last that long. I had mine changed at 85,000 with Lexus Long Life coolant to try and protect the water pump, and Lexus argued with me, but they did it. They gave me a 2015 RX 350 loaner with 880 miles on it. It rattled under the dash and made a clunk sound in the rear. I have no rattles in my '08 RX. Lexus seems to be declining in quality.
My next car will NOT be a Lexus. How can they go from making a quality car like my '98 SC300 to what they make now ? I guess that's just the way it is now days. Why do they cover the engine with plastic parts so you can't see that ugly engine ? Cars designed to be somewhat maintenance free because people
don't want to deal with it, just pay to fix it. I guess at 61 years old and owning over 40 vehicles in my life, I'm jaded. I don't get it........but I really do......too bad..... I'm just disappointed with Lexus.

kiwi

WOW, a hater, i have been on these boards for quite some time, and havent crossed one yet.

you are completely wrong, and you dont even know what you are talking about. All manufacturers will have some issues here and there. these boards are not for bashing, they are for helping, please kindly do so, or go elsewhere.

and just so you know, coolant doesnt lubricate the bearings in the water pump. it has a sealed bearing.



As for the original poster, i would not buy an after market pump. i would buy one from a dealer(mine was about 150) and take it to a toyota dealer, or even another trusted shop.

if you havent replaced your timing belt recently, you may aswell buy one of those and get that done at the same time, it will cost very little more.

Rainbird

Your vehicle is not under warranty, so go somewhere else. The price quoted seems excessive. Regarding dumping the car, don't do that, it's a losing situation! These sort of things happen with all automobiles. My 2007 had a water pump leak at 60K miles and it turned out as a bad water pump gasket. Fixed under the drive train warranty. You are beyond that so get it fixed or replaced at Toyota or and independent shop and move on. The 2007-09 Lexus RX350 is a great car.

JProdun

I had my water pump (extended kit bought from sewell) replaced along with spark plugs and all the fluids except for diff. for $650 at my trusted mechanic. Parts were on me though. Which added another $400. Had it done at 115000 on my 04.

LexusPia

My water pump was replaced free by the dealer last year on my 2008 RX350 when it was out of warranty apparently because quite a few second generation RX have had premature water pump failures and there was a service bulletin issued according to the service department. Maybe your dealer forgot there was a service bulletin issued on water pump failures. Suggest you check back with them on that. Good luck.

Rainbird

The OP has a 2009 RX350 and it doesn't have a timing belt. Starting with the 2007 model year the Lexus RX went to a timing chain.

ajay60610

Thanks for the information...would you mind giving me your dealer's name and address...i live in a western suburb of Chicago,ILL.

LexusPia

ajay60610, sorry for the late reply. I had to dig up that water pump info on my RX. Here's the scoop. It was out of warranty when it was replaced but processed as an "in warranty" claim since service manager made it a good will gesture due to the close proximity of my warranty expiration date with Lexus approval plus I have good relations with them since they have serviced all my 5 Lexuses the past 20+ years. Since your drivetrain warranty is long expired, it's unlikely you can get it for free from your dealer. You can save some money for using a rebuilt water pump or you buy the pump and pay just the labor to have them installed. Good luck.

MNSC3

iTrader: (1)

I just read on Bob is the Oil Guy that the coolant lubricates the water pump bearings. Also a Senior Lexus Tech told me the exact same thing. But I guess they must be wrong.
Oh, and I guess these forum boards are just for positive postings. Nothing negative. So we can forget about freedom of speech I guess.
Still love my '98 SC300 though, I'll drive it until I die. Then be buried in it by a huge beautiful Maple tree on my 200 acres. I'll drain all the fluids out as to not pollute the environment and wrap it in plastic......Wouldn't want to ruffle anyones feathers
I've been looking at used Bentley's, wow those are nice cars.

NVAKeith

iTrader: (1)

Had the leaking water pump replaced on our '07 last week at local dealer. Cost breakdown:
Pump: $177.22
Coolant: $43.16
Labor: $252.16
Total: $472.54
Tax and "shop fees" not included in above. Was paid by CPO warranty, so those may be discounted rates.

robbyk

My service advisor at Lexus once told me that CPO Warranty's rate is a lot cheaper compared to regular labor rate. I think I had an issue with the fuel damper and remember the discussion about the replacement cost. CPO's bill for this repair was something like $450, however if I had to pay out of pocket the bill was going to be over $650 dollars.

lexus997

Before you go further though, did they happen to say why you needed a new water pump?


If you understand the dealer compensation model for techs, you understand why some techs will tell customers that they need things that are not really needed.


Unless they told you why, or you are leaving out some details, I would want a second opinion because you may not actually need one.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

I would recommended buying an OEM water pump from your local Toyota dealer and get it done with a trusted mechanic....