[manny]

Hello , I'm new to the forum but I've always owned toyotas. Actually I rebuild engines on my spare time(mostlly 2ZZ-GE engines for the celica and Lotus)
I own a 2007 sienna LE.
I wanted to give you a heads up on the water pump. After having 105 000km on the odometer it let go. Having past the warranty period I was quoted from the dealer a 6 hours job and about $200 for the part alone. The symptoms will start with the air condition system behaving erratic (cold /hot). The system will put itself in a recirculation mod to compensate and it will be physical impossible to get it in fresh mod. I'm guessing it has something to do to with the a lower coolant level. It's not very complicated of a job to do but involves numerous steps to get at it!
The pumps bearings are at fault here. It was confirmed to me from some friends (mechanics) that work at a Toyota dealer....the 3.5 V6's have been having all their pumps changed at about that millage. Look for some slight leaking ( it's quite hard to look at, as it's very tight) and check your coolant level.
I didn't check mine ....as I thought "This is a Toyota not a Volkswagen!.. the pumps are supposed to last a long time!" : But please do it before you reach that 100 000km /60 000 milles mark.

 

[tbalon]

I have 91K on my 2007 LE and no sign of a problem. (knock on wood) If the bearings are at fault, was there any noise associated with the failure of the pump?

 

[jc]

Manny,

If you are quoting a mileage in kilometers, you must be in Canada, is that correct? Part is about $185. Check 1sttoytaparts for a cheaper part. I got a timing belt and water pump shipped to a US address for $140 US which included shipping fees. (I'm a Canuck, but was visiting family in the US ;D)

If you are going to get the water pump replaced, then you might as well have the timing belt replaced at the same time. They need to take the belt off to replace the water pump.

Sorry to hear about your problem.

Regards, Jason.

 

[wag]

Manny,

If you are quoting a mileage in kilometers, you must be in Canada, is that correct? Part is about $185. Check 1sttoytaparts for a cheaper part. I got a timing belt and water pump shipped to a US address for $140 US which included shipping fees. (I'm a Canuck, but was visiting family in the US ;D)

If you are going to get the water pump replaced, then you might as well have the timing belt replaced at the same time. They need to take the belt off to replace the water pump.

Sorry to hear about your problem.

Regards, Jason.

Manny is referring to a 2007 3.5L Sienna. The 3.5L V/6 GR series engine does not have a timing belt, it has a timing chain. The chain is an internal lubricated part that does not need to be replaced unless it fails (not common).

 

[manny]

I have 91K on my 2007 LE and no sign of a problem. (knock on wood) If the bearings are at fault, was there any noise associated with the failure of the pump?

No not really but it will quite hard to listen to it....as the pump is driven from both sides....it mean theres almost no side load... which makes harder to hear.

 

[manny]

Manny,

If you are quoting a mileage in kilometers, you must be in Canada, is that correct? Part is about $185. Check 1sttoytaparts for a cheaper part. I got a timing belt and water pump shipped to a US address for $140 US which included shipping fees. (I'm a Canuck, but was visiting family in the US ;D)

If you are going to get the water pump replaced, then you might as well have the timing belt replaced at the same time. They need to take the belt off to replace the water pump.

Sorry to hear about your problem.

Regards, Jason.

Jason,
Yes I'm from Canukistan!
Yup that's the place I order all of my parts too...cant beat them at all.
About the timing belt see Wag's post...he got it right! ;D

 

[jc]

Sorry about missing the 3.5L detail!!! That's a bummer only a few years old and the water pump failed!!!


I changed my TB and WP at 197,040 KM and there were no leaks and the bearing was fine. I wonder what it's like to take a timing chain off an engine??? Would the leak cause that chain to rust out since that pump sits right in the middle of the timing chain cover.

Could you possibly by an extended warranty and then make a claim? I would seriously contact Toyota and complain.

Regards, Jason.

 

[robo5]

Sorry about missing the 3.5L detail!!!
I wonder what it's like to take a timing chain off an engine??? Would the leak cause that chain to rust out since that pump sits right in the middle of the timing chain cover.

Regards, Jason.

The waterpump is driven by an external drive belt and the waterpump is also external. So there is no need to access the chain area. A different set-up than what we are used to JC as far a timing belt engine.

 

[jc]

Robo,

Thanks for the clarification. So why are they quoting $600 for labour? It souns possibly easier to access that the 3.0L and 3.3L engines.

Regards, Jason.

 

[jburner]

Thought I'd resurrect an old post. My water pump is leaking out the weep hole. The 2007 engine has 112,000 mi on it. Flushed coolant, put new in and now the leak. I suspect it would have leaked sooner or later, otherwise it wouldn't have with the new coolant in it. Anyone done this? Can it be done without taking the whole engine out? It doesn't look all that difficult to get at, just a little cramped, but definitely doable without removing the whole engine. Are there any other things I should rule out before replacing the pump? Any one who's done this job have any tips or time savers? Thanks.

 

[PeterJoe]

Funny I should come across your thread on this day. I took my 2007 Sienna (with 64,000 miles) to the dealership for a tune-up and after I pulled in the guy said "Has your engine always been that loud?" I look at him like he's got three heads and I tell him it doesn't sound loud. He said "we will check just. Might just be a worn out belt." I said "Okay." I get a call three hours later and the guy is telling me the bearing in the water pump is bad. I think the guy is full of it, just trying to charge me for something I don't need. I was going to tell the guy not to fix it but then I talk to my old mechanic. He said it's not something you want to mess around with. He convinced me to have it fixed. Total cost is $537.

So then I read your article and now I'm thinking maybe I'm not getting scammed after all.
Thanks for the confirmation!

 

[grwulff]

I just bought a 2008 Sienna with 118km on it. My wife is expecting twins in the spring, so we made the move to the minivan.
Anyway, I noticed a noise from the engine. I found that at lease one of the idler pulleys is shot. The water pump appears fine. I'm going to replace the idler pulleys and see if that's enough preventative maintenance to make the water pump last a little longer.

 

[happycamper]

Grwulff,

If you replace the idler pulley(s), make sure to get an aftermarket one. These use a spacer with a standard size pulley. The OEM uses a unique bearing. If the pulley ever fails again, you can simply pop out the old bearing and replace it with another, any auto parts store should stock it. The repair will cost you $5 versus $60.

 

[Eddogiedog]

I have a 2008 Toyota sienna with 174530 miles. I've changed the spark plugs, the coils ,stabilizing arms, struts, and it still purrs like a kitten. The water pump has not been changed yet, it still runs great. I change the coolant every year and a half to two years, change the oil every 5000 miles as recommended, and do a complete transmission flush every 35,000 miles and I add half a quart of Lucas transmission fix to it as it adds polymers to the tranny fluid. On top of that I've added inline transmission and power steering filters to the vehicle. Great Dame little van. Just wondering when I'm going to have to change the water pump. who knows maybe I'll go out another hundred thousand before needed to change.

 

[Eddogiedog]

PS be aware of buying spark plugs on ebay as a lot of them are selling knock-off Denso plugs and nkg plugs. Found that out the hard way, as a car ran like s***, and after inspecting the plugs they were completely worn out at 27500 miles of driving. Looks like these plugs don't have iridium but rather are made with nickel which wear out really fast like copper. You can get a good set of 6 coils on eBay just make sure they're not the cheap Chinese ones for about $68 to set rather than paying over $600 for all six of them

 

[hongwuw]

I have a 2008 Toyota sienna with 174530 miles. I've changed the spark plugs, the coils ,stabilizing arms, struts, and it still purrs like a kitten. The water pump has not been changed yet, it still runs great. I change the coolant every year and a half to two years, change the oil every 5000 miles as recommended, and do a complete transmission flush every 35,000 miles and I add half a quart of Lucas transmission fix to it as it adds polymers to the tranny fluid. On top of that I've added inline transmission and power steering filters to the vehicle. Great Dame little van. Just wondering when I'm going to have to change the water pump. who knows maybe I'll go out another hundred thousand before needed to change.

I have the same 2008 Toyota sienna with 128,000 miles. Thinking about replacing water pump. Now I am going to inspect it at every oil change. With a long 14mm wrench, it is easy to lose belt to inspect WP pulley and idle pulley. Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Junker]

Hello , I'm new to the forum but I've always owned toyotas. Actually I rebuild engines on my spare time(mostlly 2ZZ-GE engines for the celica and Lotus)
I own a 2007 sienna LE.
I wanted to give you a heads up on the water pump. After having 105 000km on the odometer it let go. Having past the warranty period I was quoted from the dealer a 6 hours job and about $200 for the part alone. The symptoms will start with the air condition system behaving erratic (cold /hot). The system will put itself in a recirculation mod to compensate and it will be physical impossible to get it in fresh mod. I'm guessing it has something to do to with the a lower coolant level. It's not very complicated of a job to do but involves numerous steps to get at it!
The pumps bearings are at fault here. It was confirmed to me from some friends (mechanics) that work at a Toyota dealer....the 3.5 V6's have been having all their pumps changed at about that millage. Look for some slight leaking ( it's quite hard to look at, as it's very tight) and check your coolant level.
I didn't check mine ....as I thought "This is a Toyota not a Volkswagen!.. the pumps are supposed to last a long time!" : But please do it before you reach that 100 000km /60 000 milles mark.

I'm trying to find out if my water pump is bad on my Toyota Sienna. And if the water pump has a weep hole. If you could please let me know that would be great. Also I do understand that I will have to remove the timing belt, but if I can get that info I'm set. Thank you.