Did dealer really replace water pump, etc? (w/ pics)

[manhunter]

As I stated I just replaced my timing belt and water pump on my 4.7. The timing belt does drive the water pump and the water pump is behind the timing belt. The water pump does not have to be removed to replace just the timing belt. The pulley that holds on the fan is not on the water pump it is just a idler pulley. In his second picture behind the silicone sealer you cas see the metal looks new there. That is the water pump right next to the cast iron block.

I have never replaced a water pump in my life, even at my age, but is that not the water pump in picture number 3, the part that is kind of slender and going sideways and attached to the block? Just wanting to know for my own edification. When I had the Toyota dealership replace my timing belt, and they recommended doing the water pump as well, I asked him if they had to take it off anyway to do the timing belt, and he said no, but that it was recommended while they had all the belts off and easily accessible. I agree the logic makes sense, but by the same logic, would you replace your brakes everytime you have your tires rotated or replaced since you have the tires off already? Not knocking any suggestions or recommendations, but I guess I look at the water pump and thermostat as something you replace when they go out, not when you have easy access to them. I am probably old school in some of my thinking and may regret it some day when my runner overheats and/or starts making some strange noises, ...., but considering it is a Toyota, I am not as concerned about that as I would be with some other makes.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I have never replaced a water pump in my life, even at my age, but is that not the water pump in picture number 3, the part that is kind of slender and going sideways and attached to the block? Just wanting to know for my own edification. When I had the Toyota dealership replace my timing belt, and they recommended doing the water pump as well, I asked him if they had to take it off anyway to do the timing belt, and he said no, but that it was recommended while they had all the belts off and easily accessible. I agree the logic makes sense, but by the same logic, would you replace your brakes everytime you have your tires rotated or replaced since you have the tires off already? Not knocking any suggestions or recommendations, but I guess I look at the water pump and thermostat as something you replace when they go out, not when you have easy access to them. I am probably old school in some of my thinking and may regret it some day when my runner overheats and/or starts making some strange noises, ...., but considering it is a Toyota, I am not as concerned about that as I would be with some other makes.

Maybe this site will help or may make it worse. http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_200306_TOYOTA_4RUNNER_UZN215L-GKAGKA_1601.html I am sure my old water pump would have been fine but for all the work involved getting to it I decided to replaced it. It should be good for another 7-8 years. It is not like a old chevy v8 where the water pump was easily replaced.

 

[riverider]

I have never replaced a water pump in my life, even at my age, but is that not the water pump in picture number 3, the part that is kind of slender and going sideways and attached to the block? Just wanting to know for my own edification. When I had the Toyota dealership replace my timing belt, and they recommended doing the water pump as well, I asked him if they had to take it off anyway to do the timing belt, and he said no, but that it was recommended while they had all the belts off and easily accessible. I agree the logic makes sense, but by the same logic, would you replace your brakes everytime you have your tires rotated or replaced since you have the tires off already? Not knocking any suggestions or recommendations, but I guess I look at the water pump and thermostat as something you replace when they go out, not when you have easy access to them. I am probably old school in some of my thinking and may regret it some day when my runner overheats and/or starts making some strange noises, ...., but considering it is a Toyota, I am not as concerned about that as I would be with some other makes.

I agree if the water pump does not need removing to replace the timing belt,why buy something unneeded at that time.
Now if it lets one sleep better, and they enjoy giving the shop their money go for it. But not something I would do.

 

[smallcandle]

Thanks for everyone's feedback. The reason we decided to replace the water pump and timing belt was because the dealer recommended it at 100,000 miles and also because I just had the water pump on my Excursion fail while we were out of town. That was a huge mess and convinced me to replace the water pump on the 4Runner to avoid a similar problem.

It APPEARS that the water pump was replaced on the 4Runner, but I'm still 99% sure they didn't change the oil filter even though they charged us for it. That also makes me question what else they didn't do but collected payment for. We're still going back next week to discuss these matters with the service manager and give them a chance to explain themselves.

But I agree with the idea that it is time to find a local mechanic to do some of these repairs and stop wasting our time and money with a dealer that has me seriously questioning their integrity.

Thanks again for all of the input, guys!

 

[Uneek]

Many water pumps are driven by timing belts.

:iagree:, even with Toyotas.

The 3VZ-E, 3.0 V6, in my '90 Toyota pickup the water pump is driven by the timing belt. Here's a PDF description of the cooling system in that truck, or rather, engine.

To add relevance for this discussion, the 2UZ-FE, 4.7 V8, timing belt does drive the water pump.

I don't have Acrobat Pro on my laptop to extract and post just that page of the waterpump on the 2UZ-FE. The attachment is over the forum's limit.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Driven by the timing belt? You probably meant to say that the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt, right? You can't see the timing belt at all from the outside and it does not drive accessories in any engine as far as I know.

No, the ones I have seen house the waterpump under the timing cover and drive it with the timing belt as others have stated. You can not see the water pump. There's usually the cam pulleys, the crankshaft pulley, an idler pulley, the water pump and another idler with a belt tensioning mechanism.

Smallcandle, get them to tighten the fan ASAP! That's going to be trouble sooner rather than later!!!!
:cheers:

 

[DaBoostCreep]

Forgot to say----

The reason why it is recommended to replace the water pump when doing a timing belt job is because the water pump must be removed to replace the timing belt. Since a water pump is a relatively cheap part to replace and they are known to fail, it is usually considered cost effective to replace it during a timing belt replacement because there's no added cost of labor since it is already removed. That's the reason, not what you stated.

You couldnt be more wrong, but nice try.

 

[DaBoostCreep]

Dead wrong? I was talking about all Toyota engines. But either way, if you want to bring up other vehicles, notice I said "as far as I know". I don't work on Subarus, but if the water pump is driven by the timing belt on their engines, it sure seems like a stupid design. Timing belts should be used for timing, not to drive accessories. That's why we have serpentine belts--to drive the various engine accessories.

So lets not waste time talking about POS Subarus and instead focus on 4Runners. The water pump on the 4Runner engine is NOT driven by the timing belt, it's driven by the serpentine belt.

The water pump being driven by the timing belt is preferable as they don't slip. Your motor can survive alot longer without power steering, an alternator, and A/C than you can without a functioning water pump.

You don't work on Subarus...and for that matter you don't work on 4Runners. Cause the 2UZ has the water pump behind the timing cover driven by the timing belt. Calling Subaru's POS's shows how ignorant you are. Do your research, and or stop being a keyboard mechanic. You're adding false info to a thread and wasting people's time and patience.