06 SR5 V6 Water pump?

[corduroy]

Hello, I have a 04 V6 SR5 4WD 4runner that has 125K on it. At my last service visit Toyota told me that my water pump is seeping coolant and to watch for more leaks, overheating, and asked if I was going on any long driving trips. They did give me a quote to replace the water pump. $546 pump alone or $692 for pump and belt.

I had the drive belt replaced at 87K in 2011.

I have watched the coolant level in the reservoir and temp closely for a month and nothing has changed. The truck does get about 25 miles daily at highway speeds. I have also looked at the front engine block and skid plate and could not see any signs of coolant leakage. Granted I am not an auto maintenance expert so I am not sure I was looking at the right spot and the area was a bit tight with the engine cover, radiator, and fan.

So my questions are:

1) where exactly should I look for problems?
2) At 125K is a water pump replacement something I should just do for preventative maintenance?
3) Do I need to replace the drive belt also since it was replaced at 87K?
4) Is the toyota quote decent or should I look for a non dealer mechanic?

Thanks in advance
Matt

 

[CarlWheezer]

A 4.0 Liter V6 has a timing chain. The 3rd gen 3.4 L V6 had a timing belt. Unless you are referring to the serpentine belt?

 

[corduroy]

Whoops - I have an 04 V6 4L SR5 .. which means it has a chain. Toyota must be talking about replacing the serpentine belt. (they did say IF it needed to be) I had that belt replaced at 87K and looks like they should last at least 90K so I don't need it done. Plus it's a $20 belt and appears to be a pretty easy replacement.

 

[MikeInNH]

They did give me a quote to replace the water pump. $546 pump alone or $692 for pump and belt.

Why are they quoting you an extra $146 to replace the serpentine belt?

2) At 125K is a water pump replacement something I should just do for preventative maintenance?

No - You replace it when needed.

3) Do I need to replace the drive belt also since it was replaced at 87K?

Since they have to remove the serpentine belt anyways...you might as well replace it. But it's no big deal if they don't since it's a relative easy job to do.

4) Is the toyota quote decent or should I look for a non dealer mechanic?

What's it hurt to shop around? Find a good independent mechanic. The labor is usually around half the dealers price.

I NEVER go to the dealer for service. Either I do it myself or take it to a good independent. One shop I use the owner use the be the head master mechanic for a Toyota dealership. He got tired of all the useless up-sell the dealership was pushing. His labor rate is half of the Toyota dealers in the are...and I'll stack his knowledge and expertise against any Toyota mechanic in a 500 mile radius. More then once he's fixed a toyota that the dealership tried and failed.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

+1 on finding an independent shop to do the work. I'd be pissed that they were trying to charge me $146 for a serpentine belt as you have to remove and install the old one anyway:redbrick: I imagine you could find a good shop to do that work for easily half the dealership quote. GL

 

[BlackWorksInc]

-The price seems about par for parts and labor (for dealership at least, I would expect the parts to be cheaper if non-dealer supplied)

-On the V6 since you can easily see when the pump is leaking and if it fails it won't jump the chain, I would just go by what condition it looks like. The V8's have it buried and hard to see, so preventative maintenance becomes a factor when you're already doing the timing belt.

-Might as well replace it since you have it off and its been a good amount of time.

-Wouldn't hurt to shop around, the key is doing your research and finding a good shop who will take care of you, be it Dealer or Independent.

 

[corduroy]

Thanks all!