NoiseFree

Thanks again for your help!
Yes before I left the garage on Monday afternoon, the mechanic seems to have put water into the coolant tank, because he was showing me where the leak was coming from and it looked like water pouring out.
He seemed to be confident about the problem and how to fix it.

I picked up the car Tuesday afternoon and took it for a test drive before paying.
It was quiet once again. No knocking/clicking.
He showed me the old parts. I don't know if he ordered the 'new improved' water pump or not. I got the message about it after I got the car back.

I drove back home (more than 100 km) and there were no problems.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed and eyes trained to the temp gauge.

For my upcoming oil change at Lexus do you think I should tell them about the work that was done?

BigPapa53

hisstojay

Congrats!!!! I'm so happy your engine wasn't fried; I've been praying silently it wasn't. Enjoy your ride

igzy

That's awesome! With onset of symptoms, you have stopped it in time to prevent any damage!

The pump you got, if purchased from a dealer, given the replacement frequency of those, is the greatest and latest so no need to stress over that. Mine was replaced 7 years ago under warranty and is still good (*touch wood*). Since you car is already out of warranty, you don't have to disclose any outside of dealer repairs...

NoiseFree

Thanks BigPapa, hisstojay and igzy.

And now for the biggest shocker!
I had a mini deja vu as I was thinking about the coolant leak.
I recalled a while ago (it seemed like a year or two) when I had in my car for a
routine maintenance at my dealer.
They added this note to my repair bill and also told me about it:
"Water pump leaking, $510.38 installed plus tax"
They didn't tell me it was urgent to repair right away, but that I should keep an eye
out for my coolant levels.

I did check my coolant level right after and then a few months later but all was good.
So I didn't think anymore about it until this recent emergency.

I looked at the repair bill's date just now, where they added this note:
June 12, 2014 !!!

And here's the kicker, my car had been in for maintenance/oil changes to
this same dealer at at least a couple of times after that date and no
mention of a water pump problem.

igzy

Any time!
You basically delayed the repair for 4 years and hopefully didn't cost you more than $500

It really depends on who's doing the oil change: if it's a busy day then it is an apprentice who may not look around the engine to check on other parts, and if it is a slow day or apprentice called in, then it is a master tech who has a habit of checking everything under the car (including common problems) while waiting for oil to drain...

Htony

Preventive maintenance. When a problem is noticed that's the time to act. Not until it becomes a major headache.
This case is a lesson about importance of prevemtive maintenance. Feel, Inspect, Tighten, Check, Adjust, Lubricate, 6 words to remember.

NoiseFree

Yes indeed. A lesson learned for the future.

hisstojay

Rightly said........Yes, preventive maintenance is very key.