Harvey99

I was driving my 2005 RX 330 (138k miles) North on I-75 through Atlanta in rush hour traffic when the car completely died in the left hand lane w/ no shoulder. GDOT stopped six lanes of traffic to push us up and over a couple of hundred yards to a right shoulder. It was determined that due to a coolant leak from the water pump the timing belt malfunctioned and shredded. I had heard that the water pump should be replaced during the 90k maintenance when the timing belt is changed, but my water pump was not replaced according to my maintenance records. I understand from reading a couple of posts that this isn't always required but that they do check the water pump. Is this correct? And if so should they have noticed that there was a potential problem?

Rainbird

The water pump is checked but only for leaks. It is not required to be replaced at 90K, but it really should be since most of the work to get to the WP is already done when replacing the timing belt.

NVAKeith

iTrader: (1)

I can't imagine they could predict the water pump would start leaking 40k miles later just by looking at it.

Crappy situation all around, glad you made it through ok.

Harvey99

So the only time they can check the water pump is when they replace the timing belt? I had my car into the dealership religiously for oil changes and safety inspections (fluids, tires, etc.), since i had to drive back and forth from Nashville to South Carolina so many times in the past two years due to a sick family member. I also had the radiator replaced last April due to a coolant leak...that has nothing to do with this coolant leak, correct?

Rainbird

Lexus will do a multi-point inspection during every 5K miles service. A coolant leak would be spotted right there. The radiator replacement should have nothing to do with your WP leak.

I had water pump leak on my 2007 RX350 at only 60K miles. Luckily it was replaced at no charge under the Lexus Powertrain Warranty.

Rainbird

I should note that coolant leaks on Toyota & Lexus are very easy to spot because the Toyota Long-life Fluid is bright pink in color.

Harvey99

Thanks Rainbird. I never saw a leak...i was only advised of the radiator leak by Lexus. I did have it serviced at least every 5K miles and I suppose it just went bad between the last service on 1/29/15 and the breakdown on 3/31/15. That's my kind of luck! I appreciate your input. I know I need to get over it...but it just kills me! Ok...I'm done...maybe...

rxpx40

iTrader: (1)

It's not just convenient to replace the water pump when the timing belt is replaced. The timing belt drives the water pump. If not installed properly either will wear the other out prematurely. A worn, but not leaking water pump will suffer if a new timing belt is installed because new tensioner pulleys are also installed with the new timing belt. This puts a new strain on the water pump.

Poqman

So what's the rest of the story? The 330 has an interference valve train. Did your pistons hit the valves when the timing belt failed or did you get lucky?

Harvey99

The rest of the story is that it would've been too expensive to figure out if the engine was ruined...the car was in Atlanta and I live in Nashville, so i had to take what i could get. Without knowing anyone i could truly trust, i took $3,100. How badly did i get ripped off?