Hi guys, just a few quick question:

My IS is a 07 model and I have 92k miles on it.

I received a call from the dealer and was told that my water pump is leaking and my alternator is going out:

When start the car, it sounds like there are birds under my hood, then it stops (when it is in neutral). However, when I put the car into gear, it starts chirping up like birds again.

Is that the belt driving the alternator? Or the alternator going out?

It is going to cost me 1600 to replace both items.

I mean it sounded like cars I used to have when the timing belt is going out..

 

If i were you, I'll change the belt first (15 mins max DIY).
However, You could go to local auto parts store like autozone or O'reilly and have they check alternator.

 

Have them just do the water pump and the belt. The water pump bearing might be where the noise is coming from. BUT, there have been cases I've read of on here where member's alternator and/or bearing was going out causing noises too.

 

Whatever it is, I wouldn't pay the dealer $1600 if its replacing those 2 things.
Find another good independent shop that can do the work!

 

Yeah I thought that too, normally I let the dealer do all my work..... but damn 1.6k for those two items, and its not including labor too.

 

Holy Moly....buy an OEM belt and see if you can get a high output alternator for cheaper!

 

I looked on Sewell and with the discount pricing for members both components together cost like 580 bucks lol

 

You can always buy parts and have the dealer just invoice you labor

 

Yeah I called the dealer for their labor and its 625 to install both. A quote from a place that mods Lexus and BMW locally (comes recommended) quoted me 400. I am going to ask if the dealer can do it for me for under 1000 total including parts if I buy the parts, that will knock like 200 off their labor costs hopefully.

 

Why wouldn't you just take it to the mod place? It's not like you are under warranty or anything and you'll def save a boat load of cashola. Hey I have a good idea, use some of that cash you saved to buy mods at the mod place, yea?

I'd do what white said and replace just the belt first. If you smell a sweet smell from under your hood or notice little drips of colored stuff on the ground after driving the car for awhile then yes you probably need a water pump. Although, don't confuse the water condensation dripping down from the AC condenser for antifreeze.

 

i would replace the belt first since that's the cheapest. most likely it's either the bearing from the water pump or alternator. do you have a mechanic's stethoscope? if you do, you can try to pin point where that chirping sound is coming from. turning on the ac may also increase the sound of the chirp making it easier to pin point.

 

I haggled with the dealer for a while and now apparently my alternator doesn't need replacing, the tech said it was rust under some pully and he grind the rust off and applied some grease and now no noise, no replacement needed, and no cash spent.

Thanks guys.

I am going to buy the water pump from Sewell and take it from there.

 

^Find out which pulley exactly to help out future members with similar issues.

 

The alternator pulley has a one way clutch and over a period of time the bearing goes out. The updated pulley uses a redesigned pulley and cap. Special service tools are used to service the pulley.

BTW, all ISx50s use 150 amp segmented alternators. The idle output is around 100 amps!!! And at 2000 rpms they make around 150 amps. Replacement of the alternator isn't easy and requires removal of the a/c compressor. I won't use a junk after garbage market alternator in place of the OEM one. I'm planning on using a GX470 130 amp segment alternator in my JZA80 since I think the so called high output alternators are crap.

 

I have an IS250 AWD, 2007 with 120,000 miles. The dealer advised me to have the alternator bearing changed to stop the squeaking sounds at the cost of $965.00. Is it time to have this car replaced?