jls667

I have a 2007 Rx400h with 54000 miles. My Lexus dealer claims my water pump is leaking.

Is it normal for a water pump to leak this early?
My warranty just ran out on this 2 months ago.

Assuming it is bad, what should this cost?

Normally the timing belt and the water pump are replaced at the same time. Should I replace the timing belt this early?

How can I tell if my water pump is bad? There is no water under the car and no error lights on the dash.

Thanks,
John

RXPhil

Sounds like typical stealership BS to me

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

It is possible but unfortunately their arent always warning signs. The coolant in our cars crystallizes when it hits air so you most likely wont see coolant on the floor. Other than physically removing it sometimes you cannot tell if its bad. On the 350 motors a clicking sound can occur if coolant leaks onto timing chain. Also dash lights and gauges may not change even seconds before your car overheats. I would:

- check for crystallized coolant around pulley. Look underneath.
- look for a drop in level in your coolant reservoir.
- any changes in gas mileage?

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Example: look at this pic after the pulley is removed

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...with-pics.html

Rainbird

The water pump would be covered under the power-train warranty. It is for 72 months or 70,000 miles.

CRD

Interesting. The dealer replaced my water pump last week, My 07 has 54500 miles and I was charged $800 and I told them to do the belt as well.

How can you tell the warranty end date?

Rainbird

The warranty start is the date the vehicle first entered service. You can find this date by registering the vehicle at the Lexus website (link below) and check the service history. For example my 2007 in service date is 6/30/2006. My water pump was replaced at no charge under the power train warranty on 2/25/2013.

https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home

jls667

My power-train warranty ended 2.5 months ago. The dealer told me it would be $1100 to change the water pump before tax. That sounds very high. Lexus is not very lenient with regards to warranty. I will get a second opinion tomorrow to see whether I really need the new water pump. It sounds like water pumps can go this early.

thomas1

That is ridiculously high. Go to an independent or Toyota dealership and get the timing belt and waterpump done. Cost should be no higher than $700. There is actually less stuff to remove on the hybrid to get to the waterpump and timing belt. Don't let them say because it is hybrid it is a special case scenario.

jls667

The Toyota dealer quoted me $1200 for both the timing belt and water pump.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Go somewhere else. And make sure your pump is actually leaking.

jls667

Thomas1,
Why is a hybrid easier to change the water pump and timing belt? On some other thread, you mentioned there is no power steering pump and alternator. Is this really true? How could that be?

CRD

Just checked. My warranty ended on 7/22/13 - 4 months ago. The service guy felt bad for me and gave me a break on the service. They did the water pump and timing belt but not the tensioners (he said they were good) for $689.

jls667

My water pump is leaking. Looks like I will have to replace the pump and probably the timing belt. Do I just get Toyota replacement parts or is there something better?

HtownBlue

Most OEM parts will suffice. Some here prefer only the Toyota brand parts. For the water pump and etc. most OEM brands will be fine and you can save coin. This problem is not uncommon. Just discovered an 07 LX350 that has basically same engine and leaky water pump. In this case though no warning was given and they fried the engine. 5K replacement without labor. Ugh.

Replace the pump and make sure you check the coolant regularly for the first 6 months.