Head Gasket / Water Pump Question

[tjames2]

Hi all,

I just purchased a 1998 4runner. Over the weekend, I noticed that the waterpump had gone out because antifreeze was leaking severely from it. I took it into a Toyota dealership for repair. The waterpump was replaced and I drove off happily. Six hours later, antifreeze was again pouring out of the bottom. I took it back into the dealership and was told that the head gasket may be blown, or that the waterpump may have just been faulty.

Can someone please tell me what to expect now? Could the gasket have been damaged during the installation of the waterpump? Could the faulty waterpump have damaged the gasket? Am I responsible for the damage or is the dealership?

Thank you!

 

[JeremyH]

The best way to tell is to pull the new pump. Waterpumps are probably the most simple device on your truck. It only consists of a housing, bearing and fan blade. The only thing that fails on them is the bearing. When you pull the new pump, if the bearing is shot, then swap in a new one.

I would say that if the new pump was bad, then the dealership should eat the cost of the part and the installation.