NJOceanVu

I have a 2007 RX400h with 70,000 miles. Because of the age, I'm actually overdue for my 90,000 mile service. My Lexus dealer offers a compendium 90K service package, but it doesn't include a water pump. I double checked my Lexus manual and a water pump replacement is not listed in their 90K service list, although the timing belt is as expected. Further, I understand there are multiple water pumps on the hybrids: two electric water pumps (heater water pump and inverter coolant pump), AND the standard engine water pump run by the timing belt. So...should I get no pumps; the standard pump; or all three pumps replaced as long as they are in there doing the timing belt? Thanks for any advice you can offer!

adamselene

tus

The engine water pump is usually not a wear/maintenance item. However, since changing the timing belt pretty much involves everything that needs to be done to replace the pump many people choose to do it at the same time as preventative maintenance. This is especially true if you're turning your own wrenches and doing the job yourself.

One thing to keep in mind, about 2 years ago I decided to change the water pump in my 91 Miata while doing the timing belt at 120k miles. So, I replaced the 20 something year old original, working, and not leaking pump, only to have it's replacement fail in just over a year. I keep thinking to myself that I should have just left it alone and might not have had a problem since it is not known as a high failure rate part.

As far as the electric pumps go, I honestly don't know where the things are and what has to be done to change them. I'd guess it would be less involved than the engine one but I'm not sure if they are related to the timing belt or anything else done in the 90k service and would save you any labor by doing it at the same time.

The other thing to make sure of is that the dealer is billing actual time instead of what the flat rate book says. If they are billing by the book you won't save anything even though the mechanic will thank you for making his job easier.

takeshi74

FYI -- 400h is 2nd gen. This is the 3rd gen subforum.

smassey321

Dealers don't change the pumps as maintenance. Mine are all still fine at 160k miles.

tempestv8

I would have thought that if the water pump is working fine, why replace it?

It's not a BMW, where thermostats, water pumps, coolant expansion tanks, etc. are all fairly short lived and considered regular maintenance items when the vehicles get into fairly high mileage or advanced years.

jooksing82

I regret that I did not replace my radiator in 2015 when I did my coolant change. I just had to replace it and had to buy 2 more jugs of Coolant. The radiator cost me $80. Coolant was $25 a jug.. It one of those things. This car is especially PIA if your need to change anything (everything is so crammed in the bay you need to remove a bunch of parts just to some something small. I.E spark plugs, PCV . belts etc..

NJOceanVu

Thanks for the heads up. I saw this at the top of the page but will look for the proper place.

" Hybrid Technology Unique topics related to the 2004 -2009 RX400H model hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the RX400H. "