Kinda new to this group. Bought an 07 ES350 from a reputable dealer in March 2013. Had 65k miles when i got it. Paid $18k.
Had it about 6 wks and 2400 miles and noticed some reddish leaks under the engine. Thought it was trans fluid. I was driving to the dealership to get it fixed - when i noticed the temp guage up near the red zone and the heater (was 39 degrees F out) was blowing cold air. I started to get in the right lane - when all of the lights on the dash lit up - including the "check engine" light. I was able to get over - i think the car actually stalled. Anyway - after a tow to the dealer - it was the water pump had leaked out "all" of my coolant. At 67k miles having a water pump fail on a Lexus? Did i do permanent damage to the engine? Seems ok - just wondering if anyone has any comments or similar experience. (BTW - my first Lexus - had 2 Infiniti's and an Acura - NEVER had a water pump problem and put well over 100k miles on all of them).
Signed,
New to Lexus and Nervous

 

This seems to be more common than one would think. Depends on the laws in NY, but that may be covered under the dealer. I don't know if you did any serious damage (i.e. heads warping, head gaskets, etc.) but that will be determined when they tear down the car.

 

Yes, it was covered by the NY Lemon law warranty - which is 60 days and 3000 miles. So that is good at least. Seems ok - will have to watch the fluids.

 

FWIW, Toyota (and Lexus) water pumps seem to lead a remarkably short life. This isn't anything new or surprising, as it has been happening since at least the early 1990s from my own personal experiences. Just another lovely part of the Toyota ownership experience.

If your vehicle makes it to the 90K mile mark, where replacement of the timing belt (if equipped) is HIGHLY recommended (mandatory?), replacement of the water pump should automatically be part of the job. However, many vehicles seem to need new water pumps before then. Nature of the beast.

Frequent monitoring of coolant levels after 50K miles or so is highly recommended.

 

The ES350 has a timing chain, not a belt, so no replacement is required.

Any leaking fluid should be checked out immediately. There simply shouldn't be any leaks of any significance on this car.

My 2007 just passed 143,000 miles without any real problems or leaks.

I'm glad you're covered for this. Replacing a water pump on an ES350 is not cheap.

 

Thank you for your response. Glad to hear of your experience. Funny - i have been driving for over 40 yrs and i never was stranded with any car in that time. And i have had a lot of junky cars too! I guess it is just my "bad luck" to have this issue.
I knew that it had a timing chain - prefer it to the belt.

 

Glad you guys posted this info. I just bought a 2007 ES350 with 71,000 miles on it two days ago from a cadillac dealer here in Hawaii. i bought a 3yr/36k mile warranty with it just in case something like this happens i have bumper to bumper every moving part covered until 110,000 miles.

 

I was also surprised when at a routine 75K checkup that I was told the water pump was leaking coolant and $900 to replace. I have had water pumps go out before in the 1980s on American made cars but never had any problem since going Japanese in 1990. My last 1998 Lexus had 110K on it and only problem in 10 years was a fuel sensor. Seems like parts should be getting better, not worse?