Need some help!

I'm planning to replace the waterpump for my 2010 rx350. It seemed like a pretty big job but I've watched so many videos on Youtube and feel like I can slowly work on it by practicing removing some parts first.

The first thing is the engine mount (the dog bone) which seems fairly simple, removing several 14mm bolts. But the one that I'm pointing out is very stubborn. I was carefully turning but it doesn't get any less tighter even after probably 1 full turn. I did loosen and tighten little by little several times to make sure that I don't accidently break the bolt (broke some rusty bolts before). Applied WD40 the day before as well. Any idea how this kind of bolt can be handled?

FYI I'm working on a sloped driveway. Not sure if that's something to do with this.

 

I have not done the water pump on 3rd gen. First gen was easy enough for me, but what I have heard is that the engine needs to be removed for 3rd gen or at least the dealer charges labor for engine removal ... there can be ways around it.

Technically this is a counter torque arm and not an engine mount [as it does not support engine weight]. I just provides a brace to prevent engine tilting. You need to remove the center bolt and not necessarily the bracket bolt you are pointing at. If you go after the bracket bolt there are other fasteners too. I think I removed the bracket in first gen, but that was most likely fir t0belt or water pump. Remember to use 6point socket and breaker bar.

Salim

 

I agree with what Salim said.
Also:
WD40 will not help loosen rusted bolts. It is not meant for that purpose.
Use PB Blaster or Kroil instead as they are designed to penetrate and loosen. Spray then wait a day and spray again. Make sure there is no nut on the other end.

Good luck as you have to loosen a few motor mounts and lift the engine a bit to R&R the water pump.

I had to replace it on my Sienna which has the same engine and maybe even less room. I am getting old and did not want to deal with it and this was the rare occasion I took a vehicle to a repair shop. They billed 5 hours to do it at the independent shop I used. They put in a NAPA water pump claiming it was better than OEM.

 

^^ So your 2016 Sienna has already had its factory water pump replaced? At what mileage? Man, that is indeed depressing. Toyota should have pitched in on that repair.

 

The 2016 Sienna Limited AWD had the water pump fail at about 37,000 miles. I heard that distinctive water pump failure rattling noise which indicated the internal seal had failed. I bought it used in August 2021 with 28,000 miles and promptly changed the coolant with Toyota Long Life. The water pump failed a year later. From what I read early water pump failures are not uncommon on the 3.5 engine. There was no longer any warranty after 6 years. They also replaced the serpentine belt. The NAPA water pump has a lifetime warranty on the part.

Right after purchase I changed every fluid in the vehicle, including 4 transmission drain and fills with Idemitsu TLS-LV ATF and addition of a Magnefine inline transmission filter on a cooler line.

I keep the Sienna at my Delaware Beach house and most of my tools etc are in Virgina, 130 miles away. That was a key factor in my decision to have a shop take care of it. A friend who has owned over 60 cars recommended the local place. It lives in the garage on a battery tender most of the time and accumulates little mileage. It is great for hauling bikes and kayaks or 6 people at a time.

Yet the old 2010 RX with over 100,000 miles has the original water pump and everything else.

 

Your Sienna sounds like it serves essentially the same purpose as my 1999 Ram. It does less than 400 miles per year but I keep it because when I need a truck, it is always there to get the job done for me. I have owned it since late December 2000, the longest I have ever kept any vehicle since I began driving in 1969. It was my daily driver from early 2001 until late 2008 and is now approaching 72,000 miles.

I really like the fact that in 1999 vehicles were still not yet the rolling computers that they are today. My Ram is so much simpler to diagnose and fix than any of our other three vehicles are. And its 5.9 liter V8 is a real powerhouse (although a very thirsty one).