Guys..... I just gotta rant and I don't know where else to do it... Just finished putting a new water pump in 2011 4runner Sr5, and I am beyond annoyed. Why in God's Green Earth has Toyota made taking the tensioner assembly out borderline impossible as compared to the 2003-2009 1GRFE, and that godforesaken back bracket for the alternator?! What the hell is that! Why does a tensioner assembly need a huge L bracket held on by 5 bolts?! What is going on!!!! You can't even take the tensioner out without completely removing the a/c compressor as they are both connected via a screw thread that the a/c compressor slides along, which is also not present in the 2003-2009 1GRFE. At least the power steering pump is somewhat straightforward lol.....All of this combined with the weird triangular notch that they added to the oil filter assembly that prevents you from taking the timing chain cover off without lifting the engine out of the car, and it just seems Toyota added a bunch of features to make you have to come back for service in shop.....All of the engine components seem to be so so so much simpler to take off on a 4th gen V6 and it's just bumming me out lol. Thank you all for listening!

L for Leverage


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Understand the rant, I have not had to replace my water pump yet, but have heard other complaining that it is not a straightforward process… sounds like you were able to do it though…😊
Just as a curiosity, how many miles are on the truck?

*Laughs in Tundra V8 starter*

I got a ‘63 Ford Falcon with a 144 ci six cylinder I’ll sell ya … Yeah, cars were so much simpler back in those days …

I wouldn't call it a flaw. It's just the unfortunate way they had to engineer it. The end mechanic is the last thing on engineering's mind.

I mean, this engine certainly wasn't designed to be easy to work on, just look at all the crap you have to do to get to the stupid oil filter

How did your water pump fail?

You just have to unbolt the A/C compressor, only takes a couple of minutes, no need to actually remove it.

What did you do to recharge with the correct amount of refrigerant?

It sucks but mechanics need to work.

when it comes to oil filter, it's actually best if it's oriented that way. the filter is full of oil all the time everytime you start it unlike the 4th gen, the oil from the filter drains back when turned off. the new filter for the 5th gen is great for starting. you get an oil flow right away after starting. i get to fill it with oil when replacing the filter though not fully. better than a dry start.

in addition to that, it's actually good for the environment since it's just a paper filter which you can just use as a fire starter. there's no metal to recycle.

But you have to drop 2-3 skid plates and covers just to access it is my point, it's a pain in the ass to get to for maintenance, I said it's hard to get to lol

not really a pain to remove. i just changed my oil last saturday. i think it just takes more time though but not a pain. in addition, i get to see and be amazed while i lie there.

I hear you....I have come back around to accept the tensioner into my heart again

only 150k or so, I (notwithstanding the state of mind I was in) find it enjoyable to work around the 4runner for the most part so I figured I'd go ahead and get a new pump and thermostat in....Just watching videos of people working on the earlier 1grfe had me in tears haha