Neucorp

iTrader: (1)

Just finished replacing the water pump on our 2007 RX350 this weekend. The manual says you need to remove the whole engine, but it's not necessary. Note this is not an easy job. I've done an SC400 and an IS350 and this was the most difficult due to space and stupid engineering.

Due to my low mileage (~75K) I chose not to replace any pulley's - just the pump, related o-rings, and the thermostat.

For anybody that's actually qualified to do this, kindly review my steps and let me know where I need to make changes or if I missed anything.

Thanks to Jason Phan of JP Euro for the 30 seconds worth of advice that got me past my hurdles.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Good job man you weren't kidding that thing is buried.

Someone sticky this thread or add to the DIY thread.

Nice writeup

dcdyd

Yes, this should be linked in DIY thread. Very good information.

LEXRX04

very nice DIY

ghuns

Seriously? 16 bolts to hold on a water pump? Nice write up. Hope I never have to use it.

Aprazur

Why in the heck would a 2007 need its water pump replaced? Do they not make the newer RX 350's as good as the old RX 300 model?

I have a 1999 RX 300 with 130K and its never needed to have the water pump replaced. I'm thinking of buying a Gen 2 RX (2007-2009). But.... I'm beginning to wonder about the quality of these newer models?

RX330inFL

The water pumps used in conjunction with the 3.5L engine across the entire Toyota/Lexus product line of that vintage have been noted as being problematic. Check the online forums for RAV4 and Highlander, for example, and they are chock-full of failure reports.

Neucorp

iTrader: (1)

Trust me - it was bad. It was creating some horrible noise and once I pulled off a few things, I could see the caked on coolant all over. I have a 2006 IS350 with the same 3.5L engine do they same thing almost a year ago. Amazing how these things seem to fail right after the power train warranty expiration...

Glad I'm able to do this myself. Between the 2 cars, I've saved $1500 in labor.

MichaelJJ1

A great write up! It gave me confidence that I could do it myself and save a lot of money. My only addition is that I was able to use the tubular extension lever to my (Costco purchased) jack to get extra leverage on a standard 14 mm ring wrench on the tensioning pulley to easily remove the belt with my spare hand!

Gordonrx

My water pump just started leaking last week and now its at the dealer right now doing a Water Pump Timing Belt Package service.

robbyk

Not long ago I replaced the water pump on a 2009 Toyota Corolla with only 40,000 miles. The pump was clearly dripping coolant. It was strange to me that a Toyota with relatively little mileage had a leaking water pump because they have built a reputation of quality and longevity. 40K miles on a Toyota is not considered a lot miles to cause a water pump to leak.

thomas1

This is not same engine....The 3.5 doesn't have a timing belt but is chain driven....

MNSC3

iTrader: (1)

IMO Lexus quality has taken a turn for the worse, to bad they were great cars. My '98 SC300 has much better build quality and dependability then my '08 RX 350. My RX has 85,000 miles and the SC has 146,000. No major problems with the SC, I would drive it across the country without a worry. Don't feel the same about the RX. I'll find out this June when I drive the RX from Minnesota to New Mexico. Perfect time for a water pump failure. Just had the cooling system flushed with Lexus long life coolant, hoping for longer water pump life......even crossed my mind to have it shipped to New Mexico, that's kind of sad for a Lexus. The pursuit of perfection......yeah right.

fast25

Just wanted to give a big thank you to OP. This write up is amazingly detailed and organized. Did this job on the wifes car last night. Took six hours, but I did rear upstream O2 sensor at same time.
This guide probably saved at least 2 hours.

Again, huge Thank You

tomit

Just thinking out loud, but is it the same quality water pump not lasting as long because it is chain rather than belt driven? The water pump on my 1995 Avalon (3 liter) was still good at 183,000 miles when I replaced it.