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by luck I was shining a flash light inside my engine compartment and noticed pink flakes around the water pump area (sorry forgot to take some pictures). upon closer inspection, it appeared the water pump was leaking. Only had 69K miles so figure I take it in the Lexus dealer and let them check it out. Lexus service wrote "Found water pump leaking excessive from weep hole" "Replace water pump assembly, gasket, coolant and bled cooling system, steam clean engine bay and road tested all checked out ok".
Covered under Lexus power train warranty.
suggest you check around your water pump before The Powertrain Warranty expires (72 months or 70,000 miles).
A bit unusual for a Lexus water pump to go out before the timing belt needing replacement.
Its great that Lexus replaced that for you, but a thing to keep in mind is that the expiration of a Water Pump is typically anywhere between 70-100k. So, it could have just been the fact that the pump had determined it was time to go.
When does the manual require that the tensioners on the timing chain be inspected? Usually when that is done, the water pump is replaced.
I skimmed through the maintenance manual again and there is no mention of checking the timing chain tensioners. Replacing the water pump is also not mentioned. I had a 1987 Acura Legend with a timing chain and the water pump went out at around 220k miles. I expect the 460 to last well beyond 70-100k miles.
The maintenance manual only goes up to 150k miles.
so far my less than 70K miles GX460 has been disappointing, already had the secondary air intake issue, water pump leaking and leaking differential. All taken care under warranty but it is not the typical Lexus (or even Toyota) quality which normally goes way over 100K before any minor issue even requires attention.
Will be selling the car on Monday to get something else. I was going to wait for the 2017 Toyota 4runner as hoping Toyota would put the V8 back into it. But trading the GX in before hitting 70K allows the dealer to sell it as CPO and I get a better trade-in $.
I skimmed through the maintenance manual again and there is no mention of checking the timing chain tensioners. Replacing the water pump is also not mentioned. I had a 1987 Acura Legend with a timing chain and the water pump went out at around 220k miles. I expect the 460 to last well beyond 70-100k miles.
The maintenance manual only goes up to 150k miles.
A timing chain with no periodic inspection? Wow....like to live your life dangerously.
I've got a 2013 GX460 with 70K miles and and the engine temp dial is going all the way into the red when the engine goes over 2500 rpm during relaxed city driving. Once you get off the gas the temp begins to creep back down. There are no codes being thrown, no warning lights, but the needle goes all the way into the red.
The truck is going into the dealership tomorrow, but has anyone else seen this happen?
Thermostat may be shut, or the fan clutch (16210-38081) for the radiator needs to be replaced. Coolant flush and new thermostat may be the cure. At 50k, I usually change the coolant fluid, to keep the thermostat happy. Back in the old days, when I change my coolant, I also changed the thermostat. A tell tale sign your thermostat may be failing is when you see bulging on the rubber ducts connecting the radiator and the engine. I just remembered, I had a 2008 GX Sport with the same high temp problem and the fan clutch fixed the problem.
It turns out that the water pump has failed, and that the dealership saw signs of it failing at the last service appointment but didn't let me know because it wasn't leaking badly enough to be fixed under warranty. They're waiting on a warranty inspector to approve replacement of the water pump and then will do the work.
I am at 90K miles and it is hard to part with my GX for a full service. I have a list for my local Japanese auto specialist. Water pump is on the list.
It turns out that the water pump has failed, and that the dealership saw signs of it failing at the last service appointment but didn't let me know because it wasn't leaking badly enough to be fixed under warranty. They're waiting on a warranty inspector to approve replacement of the water pump and then will do the work.
Wow, for not having the timing belt I thought it would be less of maintenance cost, assuming the water pump would last a while longer. Even when I replaced my timing belts on several Lexus vehicles I have owned in the past, I didn't bother replacing the water pump. I really don't recall replacing water pumps on my Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the past and I've had at least a dozen of them the past three decades. The Toyota/Lexus quality may be going down the drain as many folks all over the internet starting to notice.
One thing I remember from what old mechanics used to tell me was when you replace the coolant, also make sure to install a new thermostat because it prevents abnormal water pump failure. Also, I was told to use only Toyota specific coolant when I decide to replace the fluid or issues on the cooling system will arise.
Looks like mine is going to Lexus for leaking water pump as well. I noticed a bunch of dried pink fluid underneath that wasn't there a week or so ago.... then noticed this from top. Earliest appointment is Saturday.
03-17-16, 09:35 PM
Water Pump Leaks or failure
The good news is you have a timing chain.
