The Aisin TKT-021 kit is the most popular, I believe it is almost 1/2 the price of original, and "may" be the same parts

 

 

I can assure you that the water pump in that kit is not the same pump.I ordered that kit and inspected the water pump and didn't feel comfortable with the quality.I bought a pump from the toyota dealer and the quality is night and day difference.

 

I believe this is the best video out there (if it's not someone can post an alternate)


2002 I believe is Toyota red coolant. I have read some actual techs prefer it to pink, which is SLLC2. It would seem that if you're ok with changing the coolant every 2 yrs., red is what came with the 2002 car and a safe bet, and cheaper, because Toyota pink coolant is $26/gal and 50/50. Or, Walmart Zerex Asian SLLC2 is $9-$12 for 50/50 and approved. Some folks only want to use genuine, so if that were the case, I would probably go red since it's 100% and can be diluted with distilled water. Thermostat my indie stated no need to replace unless you just like spending money (again using my Maxima as a reference, in 20 years on the road, it got coolant replaced at least 5X, but never a thermostat or water pump replaced (radiator by me yes), quarter of a million miles). Others like to just replace everything while it's apart, so what's another $30 or $50 etc. Ditto on the serpentine and hoses, all in good shape, but I said I'll just use common sense on the belt and have them replace, since no add'l labor. They used a Bando 6PK2240. Being made in USA, it cannot be OE, but they state they are OEM, and it says so right on the package.

 

Careful John, it looks like you'd believe almost anything...

 

Don't be telling me that next there's no Santy Clause or Peter Pan....

 

I would highly recommend replacing your radiator cap with an OEM one. Most Lexus engine failures I've encountered are due to overheating from a failed radiator cap.-----Retired Lexus tech

 

Can you be more specific in what you didn't like about the pump? I used the same kit last fall and saw NO difference between it and the pump I replaced. I have no reservations in using this kit or recommending it to others...

 

 

 

Here's my advice and that's usually worth what you pay for it.

For Porsche and Lexus, I contacted my local dealer and both were willing to skinny their prices to match (or come very close) online competitors.

My local Mazda dealer not so much. I think this is hilarious given the other brands I mentioned.

You can save a few dollars going with an OES like AISIN, but amortized over many years and tens of thousands miles and it is really of little consequence.

I just had the TB. WP, etc. replaced on my LS 400 after 18 years and 144k miles and I'll gladly pay a little extra for that kind of quality.

Lastly, I almost always prefer OE parts and my approach also allows me to buy local, which I like to do.

Good luck,

Eddie

 

Funny you say that....BMW is notorious for a) providing loaner cars indefinitely during recalls b) splitting the costs of major repairs (like motors) for cars out of warranty c) breaking things on customers' cars and denying it

When the dealer near my work f'd up a sensor they insisted it was like that, um no, because I just did the entire job myself and the part was new. So I complained to the GM and to BMWNA, nothing. Filed with the BBB, and dropped their rating from A+ to C- because they never bothered to reply. Then I get a call, "What can we do to make things right, this was handled poorly?" I said replace my water pump for free ($1,200 job). Director says sure, we can do that.

But then I thought about it, I never want these a****** touching my car again. So I never took it back. NOT EVER.

Dunno about Lexus because I have only set foot in a dealership 6X, only had 2 service calls, 3X were for parts, 1X to look at a used 2005 LS430. I admit they are all friendly, but $$$$$ + $.

edit: to be fair to Lexus--on touch up paint (moonlight pearl 2 bottles), the dealer near my work, I never set foot in it / don't know where it actually is, they ordered the paint and it was drop shipped to me--much cheaper than online (here is one case where eBay pricing is astronomical, I think because nobody stocks it [at least for a 2006], comes directly from Sherwin Williams Automotive). They said why make a special trip for paint, also, you will get a text when it ships. Contrast this to the dealer 3.5 miles from my house? They said I have to prepay in person, then come to pick it up. "We've been stuck with this stuff too many times." Nice way to put it! lol