LexIS007

iTrader: (1)

I recently started hearing a water "gushing" sound coming from the glove compartment during start-up in my 2007 IS350. I took the car to the dealer on Friday and had a tech look at it. Turned out to be bubbles in the coolant system due to a leaky water pump. The dealer was super cool about taking care of the problem and turned out the issue is covered under my power-train warranty that was extended because of the valve recall to 2013. They gave me a loaner and said the car will be ready by days end on Monday. I love the Lexus service man!....this is the only reason why I don't want to move to a German car....but we will see what the 3IS-F will be like before finally deciding. Anyhow, just thought I would share this in case anyone had a similar issue...

robertrios

iTrader: (11)

yep same thing happened to me!

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Glad they figured it out quickly and took care of you properly. This is just about the most common problem with our 2IS models. My '06 350 had the water pump replaced at just 27k miles.

wallaceb

My 2008 IS250 does that sometimes too. Does that mean my water pump is going bad? I thought it was just air in the coolant lines.

Will Lexus fix it free under warranty? I'm going to Lexus soon for my 45,000 service.

robertrios

iTrader: (11)

yep they will just explain the sound your hearing and that you suspect its the water pump

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

You are probably right. If the pump is leaking, is not only is allowing coolant out...it is allowing air in too. Look at the front of the motor where the water pump resides and look for pink residue. The pink residue around the overflow cap is normal though...not signs of a bad pump. Just a horribly designed cap that cannot seal worth a damn.

Yes, the water pump is part of your vehicles powertrain warranty; they will fix it for free. Accept nothing less!

Denver

iTrader: (13)

oh is that what it is, lol. I was like, why is this thing overflowing at with less than 10k

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Wow, even your newer 2011 model still does it too?

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

There was just a thread on this. Waterfall sound behind the dash is air in the coolant lines.

Denver

iTrader: (13)

apparently so, it shocked me when i popped the hood and saw that

LexIS007

iTrader: (1)

So I got the car back today, and the water pump was replaced. The main culprit behind this issue is not the water pump seal, but the drive-belt shaft bearing in the water pump itself. Apparently this issue is almost guaranteed to happen if you own a 2IS and has been modified for the 2010+ engines, so that the bearing doesn't wear and cause gaps for air/fluid to run in/out. I will say however, the tech made a hell of a mess in my engine bay....freaken' coolant all over the place. Oh well, what ya' gonna do!?!

wallaceb

Is there a TSB for the water gushing sound?

meis250

yes, the water pump is covered by the powertrain warranty. My IS250 was low on coolant which prompted me to check the water pump (pain in the back, you can only see the leak through the oil filter opening under the car). Even though there was only pink residue on mine with no clear sign of wet/ coolant, the dealer changed it without asking a question. Apparently this is a well known issue with these engines. My IS has 99,000km on it.

06IS250AWD

I have a 2006 is250 with 73,000 miles and I been hearing this noise....anyway I will be covered?

calvin2376

iTrader: (2)

Not unless you have some kind of extended warranty through Lexus or otherwise. The factory warranty expires at 50k miles and the powertrain at 70k, so you're just past. You might be able to go to your dealership and say you've been hearing this noise since before 70k (since the water pump is covered by powertrain warranty) and try and get them to cover it but it's a long shot.