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I replaced the water pump on my gs350 about 2 years ago at 104k. Car ran fine and didn't have any issues until last week I noticed knocking noises coming from the engine bay. At first I thought it was the tensioner pulley going out so I replaced that but turns out it's the water pump pulley. I can see that it seems to jump around and is obviously misaligned.
There isn't any coolant leak which is good and my car seems to run just fine. Don't notice any difference in how it handles.
So before I go and replace the water pump again is it possible that the mounting bolts weren't torque correctly when I replaced the water pump? I can't believe the bearing is already going out after 20K since replacing the water pump but that is what I get for buying a Beck/Arnley water pump instead of an AISIN like everyone suggests.
I checked the water pump pulley without the belt on and there is noticeable wobble to it when I spin it.
Already in the process of replacing in an AISIN.
Any body know of a way to remove the water pump pulley with the serp belt on or off? I got 3 of the bolts loose but the last one is impossible to break. Don't want to have to buy a Toyota water pump wrench for $60.
maybe too late, but you can use a long pry bar or a rod, slide two screwdrivers into the open holes of the pulley. This should give you enough leverage to break it loose. If its too tight, maybe previously you used a loctite? If thats the case then you can heat the end of the bolt to soften the loctite and should loosen up for you.