Water-pump .. I gambled and lost
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CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Austin, TX
Water-pump .. I gambled and lost
With original water pump on my '99 RX which I did not replace at 90k, I took a gamble on '95 SC400 water pump and skipped replacing it at first timing belt change. Now around 130k miles, it is leaking. I did replace the RX w pump at 200k (premptively). On RX it paid off but I lost on SC.
Found Toyota branded cheaper than Aisin (OE manufactured). No gasket though ... which I can purchase separately or get FIPG.
Salim
Found Toyota branded cheaper than Aisin (OE manufactured). No gasket though ... which I can purchase separately or get FIPG.
Salim
Good thing you spotted it. soon after the waterpump starts leaking it will get worse and the waterpump can sieze, or sometimes they just seize without leaking and then there is a chance of overheating the engine. Also you don;t have high miles on it but its probably the original and is just old at this point. better to replace it with every timing belt change, its cheap insurance they are known to seize about 1.5-2.5 timing belt changes so yeah I wouldn't continue gambling with it anymore. only one you can feel safe about skipping on a toyota is the oil pump generally speaking.
I had a 97 420A Eclipse (stupid Chrysler engine) back in the day...one day at idle the water pump actually froze and locked up and when I went to give it a little gas to pull into a parking lot about 100 feet away, the timing belt ripped a chunk of the pump pulley out and consequently destroyed the timing belt lol Luckily since it was essentially at idle, I bent no valves.
Good catch, Salim. I've got a spare Aisin pump, seals and t-belt kit set aside after being told my pump was leaking. This turned out not to be the case but recently I've heard high pitched bearing noise on two very far removed occasions (which went away completely both times after one drive when it does show up). I'm keeping an eye on mine. Funny because it was brand new at the time of my last t-belt change and I'm not quite at 60k yet.
I agree with Ali that it's better to replace with each belt change. I did the same with my H22 Prelude which also required timing belts every 60k and were known to have water pumps that lasted about 120k miles max. Seems to be a thing with many models, not just Toyotas.
I agree with Ali that it's better to replace with each belt change. I did the same with my H22 Prelude which also required timing belts every 60k and were known to have water pumps that lasted about 120k miles max. Seems to be a thing with many models, not just Toyotas.
Last edited by KahnBB6; Jan 14, 2015 at 12:26 AM.
yeah luckily on most of our cars (sc300 all non vvti and sc400 92-95) if the pump siezes which usually throws the timing belt, since its non interference the motor is generally salveagable once you replace all the plastic parts the belt shot through (usually upper timing cover and lower timing covers at the least) plus any other things it launched itself into. its just a matter or replacing that stuff slapping on a new belt and good to go.
if you have a vvti or a 96+sc400, then there is chance of smashing the valves, and on these motors I always recommend dong the waterpump, it would be silly not to cause if it siezes you are looking at several grand in labor + machine work or new heads. like the 2uz vvti alot of people think its a toyota you don't have to replace the pump, and then their top end goes bye bye when it siezes. the new engines are not like the old ones.
if you have a vvti or a 96+sc400, then there is chance of smashing the valves, and on these motors I always recommend dong the waterpump, it would be silly not to cause if it siezes you are looking at several grand in labor + machine work or new heads. like the 2uz vvti alot of people think its a toyota you don't have to replace the pump, and then their top end goes bye bye when it siezes. the new engines are not like the old ones.
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
In middle of tear down. AC-comp, hydraulic pump and then the water pump.
Front end is soggy.with enough evidence of leak ,,, Good thing is that the diagnosis was correct.
Parts are arriving.
Replacement OEM Genuine Toyota does not have any casting marks stating Toyota
It does have the groove to be used with FIPG (no metal gasket. Will find out tomorrow if the original has casting marks.
Salim
Front end is soggy.with enough evidence of leak ,,, Good thing is that the diagnosis was correct.
Parts are arriving.
Replacement OEM Genuine Toyota does not have any casting marks stating Toyota
It does have the groove to be used with FIPG (no metal gasket. Will find out tomorrow if the original has casting marks.
Salim
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Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,583
Likes: 1,397
From: Austin, TX
Well the original that came out had no casting marks. ToyoLex confirmed the one they sent me is OEM (toyota box).
On my RX, I bought Aisin (OE manufacturer) after market and that one had the Aisin casted on it.
Took the car for test drive and CEL came on. Read the code and it showed 31. The code lead me to examine the flexible air hose as I had to struggle to put the air intake on, and sure enough there was a rip. I have taped it and the CEL has now gone. Time to get a new one and most likley will opt for after market.
Is there an easy way or a trick to put the air intake? It could be the rubber has aged and the flex is gone.
Salim
On my RX, I bought Aisin (OE manufacturer) after market and that one had the Aisin casted on it.
Took the car for test drive and CEL came on. Read the code and it showed 31. The code lead me to examine the flexible air hose as I had to struggle to put the air intake on, and sure enough there was a rip. I have taped it and the CEL has now gone. Time to get a new one and most likley will opt for after market.
Is there an easy way or a trick to put the air intake? It could be the rubber has aged and the flex is gone.
Salim
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the accordian part on the stock intake pipe will crack sooner or later once it gets old and brittle.
Time for a cold air intake perhaps or pick up a stock replacement.
a 3" pipe with the right bend in it and you can make your own intake as well.
Time for a cold air intake perhaps or pick up a stock replacement.
a 3" pipe with the right bend in it and you can make your own intake as well.
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