2008 RX350 97K miles on it. My trusted mechanic is told the water pump needs to be replaced. I sort of notice the strange rattling sound when the car is cold at startup and the reservoir needs to be refill periodically. Anyway, if $200 labor cost reasonable? I will supply the OEM pump, gasket and drive belt. Is the pump part number 16100-39455, 16100-39456 or 16100-09441?

TIA.

08 RX350 AWD (wife)
08 Toyota Avalon Touring (mine)

 

Not sure on the part number, but the cost definitely sounds reasonable.

 

Oops. Sorry, the title should he "2008 RX350 WATER PUMP final went"

 

BTW, should I have my mechanic change the spark plugs while he is in there?
TIA.

lexsc4

 

That is a good price for labor. Lexus would be triple that or more. Your spark plugs don't need replacing until 120K miles. It's your call but I would wait.

 

Thx Rainbird.

We are going to keep the car until it is not financially justified. Plus it is currently at 98K miles.
So my thought is if my mechanic is in there already, might as well change the spark plugs and save some money. 120K miles will approach in 1.5 to 2 years max.

 

I just checked with my mechanic and he will charge me only $50 labor to install the plugs while he works on the water pump and serpentine belt. So it is a no brainier for me to have them replaced now.

 

Make sure to use OEM plugs "Denso Iridium". I bet he is going to regret charging only $50. Those back plugs are a bear to get at.

 

I have known and taking my cars to him for years and he has never ask for more after the job. Hopefully this won't be the first time.

Yep already ordered 6 Denso FK20HR-11 from Amazon.

 

Here is an update.

My mechanic did the water pump, serpentine belt replacement today. Total including new OEM water pump, Continental belt and labor charge is $450. He said the Conti belt is better quality than OEM. BTW, I supplied 2 jugs of Toyota pink coolant, which cost me $50 from Amazon. Total $500, no more rattling sound. He mentioned that the Thermostat was loose and he replaced it with a new one. I thought that was a fair deal at $500 total.

However, he did not replaced the spark plugs since he said the value gasket is starting to slowly leaking and he recommend not to change the spark plugs until 120k miles and replace the valve gasket at the same time along with 3 new ignition coils in the rear banks while he is in there. Otherwise if anyone of the coils goes bad, it is labor charge all over again. He did pulled one plug out from the front bank and it still looks good.