RX3302004

I have a 2004 RX330 with 65,000 miles on it. Should I be replacing the water pump soon based on your experiences, or is it more mileage based and not based on the vehicle being 10 years old? I plan on keeping the vehicle for quite a while and don't mind being proactive with the service.
Thanks.

Rainbird

Best to do it at 90k when the timing belt is due for replacement. I know you are over on changing the belt as to time and not on mileage. It's your call, but most people do the water pump and belt at the same time.

RX330inFL

Technically, by now you should have replaced both the water pump and the timing belt. As Rainbird pointed out, it is either by mileage or by time. In this case 72 months or 90K miles.

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do...p/2004lexu.pdf

You should be OK to wait until you have 90K miles as timing belts coming off RX with that mileage seem to look OK according to previous reports here on CL. I would, however, consider having your coolant replaced as a preventative measure to make sure you get to 90K without problems. Finally, when it comes time you will want to consider having the seals replaced at the same time as the water pump and timing belt, as seen in the Sewell extended kit, along with possibly the thermostat due to the amount of time which has passed.

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2004/4638.html

RX3302004

Thanks. I should have added that prior to joining this forum I had the timing belt changed to be safe. I also have had the coolant replaced recently. I will add the pump to my next service along with the seals.

RX330inFL

If you have had the timing belt and and coolant replaced recently then I would hold off on the water pump. If it is not leaking then you do not need to worry about it. When it starts to leak or when you get around to doing the timing belt again you can have it replaced. Only makes sense to deal with all of these at one time and not piecemeal as you are duplicating work.

HtownBlue

Don't worry about it. These guys will say go by the book and do it in 72 months or at 90 K. I've done this job twice and both times the water pump bearing was hardly even worn and the timing belt looked brand new almost. You could easily wait until 120K to do the water pump. The water pump rarely breaks in these cars. You would likely see a slow leak from the gasket before the pump fails. And even if it did fail, like spin a bearing, you would simply have it replaced then.
People forget that when these engineers write the service intervals they are recommending them at the earliest point so as to help dealers make money. This is a fact whether people want to admit it or not. I know a high level engineer at Ford who has told me that it is industry practice to write early service intervals. It's what helps dealerships make money.

Do what you will with your car and act in whatever manner you feel best, but there is not a true "need" for your water pump to be changed right now. Not with 60K on the car.