DIY: RX350 Water Pump
#46
Pole Position
I just bought this 08’ RX350 with 35k miles. Should I replace the water pump or wait for signs of failing? I get it’s a 12 year old car, but not sure the recommended years to replace for this model. I also have a 02’ SC430 and replaced the water pump, timing belt, all pulley’s and flushed when I bought at 69k miles a few years back. I only did it because of timing belt really, no issues. The RX350 has a chain though, not that it has any correlation with the pump. Any guidance is appreciated.
#47
Just replaced a noisy idler pulley in my 07 and noticed that there is a small leak in the water pump area. Is there a comprehensive list of all the oem parts so i can tackle this job?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#48
Get the AISIN water pump kit from rockauto, it comes with the pump and gaskets, may want to get their thermostat while you're at it (and the gasket). I replaced mine this summer and the pump had the word "Toyota" ground off it, so it is OEM, fit perfectly.
The following users liked this post:
Felix (06-02-22)
#49
Driver School Candidate
I second the AISIN kits. Their kits are OEM, including bearings when applicable. Other kits skimp on things like bearings, belts, gaskets and claim it's an OEM pump (or timing belt). With AISIN the entire kit is OEM.
#50
Water pump 2009 rx350 my experience
No need to disconnect radiator hose from t stat housing as replacing t stat anyway
I put sealant on all 12 mm waterpump bolts
engine mounts. Easier to remove 3 bolts on bottom of front and passenger side mounts. There are rubber plugs in frame to access. Easier than trying to get top studs. Also there are 2 differential mount bolts behind pass wheel loosened all the way so easier to raise engine
I put sealant on all 12 mm waterpump bolts
engine mounts. Easier to remove 3 bolts on bottom of front and passenger side mounts. There are rubber plugs in frame to access. Easier than trying to get top studs. Also there are 2 differential mount bolts behind pass wheel loosened all the way so easier to raise engine
#51
Looks like this job is in my future.
At 250K nearly trouble free miles, I really shouldn't complain.
I'll be replacing all the pulleys since they'll be off anyways. Looks like the two idler pulleys are the same part#. Anybody know the part number for the tensioner pulley?
At 250K nearly trouble free miles, I really shouldn't complain.
I'll be replacing all the pulleys since they'll be off anyways. Looks like the two idler pulleys are the same part#. Anybody know the part number for the tensioner pulley?
The following 2 users liked this post by rdsrx350:
ghuns (05-24-22),
Margate330 (05-24-22)
#53
Lexus Test Driver
Sounds like a $1k job tho but not sure of current rates parts & labor.
Original Water pump?
#54
Got quotes from $800-1300 to just replace water pump.
I'm gonna diy it. Just ordered $355 in parts. Three pulleys, water pump, serpentine belt, thermostat, and coolant.
#55
Thanks again to the OP for the detailed write up.
We were out of town Friday-Sunday so I spent most of yesterday cleaning my garage which was nearly impassible thanks to some home improvement projects.
I wasn't sure I wanted to dive into it at 4PM yesterday but I went ahead and got started. Had the water pump off by 7PM.
At 240K, it was definitely used up...
I was able to reach everything from the top with motor raised up so the intake was just about touching the wiper cowl. Nice thing about aluminum motors is nothing is torqued overly tight so my stubby little SK 1/4" drive ratchet was all I needed to break the WP bolts loose. Once they were loose a 1/4" thumbwheel ratchet was super handy for unscrewing them.
For me, the part that took the longest was getting the small rubber hose in the center of motor off the thermostat housing. Very limited access to the spring clamp and that hose was really stuck on there.
One thing that surprised me, if I didn't know the serpentine belt had 240K on it, I'd put it back on. That thing looks great. Zero cracking or dry rot.
We were out of town Friday-Sunday so I spent most of yesterday cleaning my garage which was nearly impassible thanks to some home improvement projects.
I wasn't sure I wanted to dive into it at 4PM yesterday but I went ahead and got started. Had the water pump off by 7PM.
At 240K, it was definitely used up...
I was able to reach everything from the top with motor raised up so the intake was just about touching the wiper cowl. Nice thing about aluminum motors is nothing is torqued overly tight so my stubby little SK 1/4" drive ratchet was all I needed to break the WP bolts loose. Once they were loose a 1/4" thumbwheel ratchet was super handy for unscrewing them.
For me, the part that took the longest was getting the small rubber hose in the center of motor off the thermostat housing. Very limited access to the spring clamp and that hose was really stuck on there.
One thing that surprised me, if I didn't know the serpentine belt had 240K on it, I'd put it back on. That thing looks great. Zero cracking or dry rot.
Last edited by ghuns; 05-31-22 at 03:38 AM.
The following users liked this post:
spinellib (05-31-22)
#56
For benefit of others … alternatively, if the pulleys are in good condition, you can replace just the bearings. The two idler pulley bearings are sized 10x42x13 (6302RMX) and the tensioner pulley houses two bearings, sized 12x40x17 (6203-2RS). Another pulley option for the tensioner is Gates/ACDelco 36174; that is what I put in our 07 ES350 in 2018 when I replaced the water pump.
#58
Crap. this is in my near future for my 07 w/ 150K miles. 3 weeks ago during a cold snap i can hear my waterpump being really noisy in the morning. I just finished overhauling my TSX front suspension and wasn't really looking forward to tackling another car project. ugh!
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