1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I have a 1990 AT V6 Camry. Around March of 2006, I replaced the timing belt, PS belt, AC/Alternator belt, cam and crank seals, idler pulleys, belt tensioner (grenade pin type), water pump, thermostat and gaskets, both radiator hoses, coolant, etc. I have been losing water/coolant slowly but steadily for a while now (maybe the past year) and have not pinned down where it was coming from (oil not milky, not head gasket), no definite puddles, hoses intact. My daughter (the regular driver of this car) keeps an eye on the temperature gauge and says it has been fine. I topped it off with distilled water yesterday afternoon and I later noticed a good bit of water/coolant running across the driveway, originating from underneath the passenger side area (TB and water pump end). I did not climb under and get a good look (I was replacing a CV axle on my other daughter's Volvo 850 - plan to tomorrow when I am off) to make sure it is not just a spot on the lower hose or maybe the O-ring that goes around the tube that joins the thermostat housing to the lower radiator hose. I am assuming it is going be the water pump and therein lie the two questions I have.
1. The car only has 30,000 miles on it since doing all the work replacing EVERYTHING under the TB cover. Given that, would you bother replacing the TB, cam seals, crank seal, TB tensioner, idler pulleys (while in there) if they all looked ok? I know for sure I will replace the water pump, gaskets, thermostat.
2. This water pump is a lifetime one from AutoZone. The first one they sold me (when I was doing this job in 2006) spun fine in my hand but froze under load with a belt applied. They replaced it and I installed the replacement one. Even though this water pump is free replacement, should I shy away from another AZ water pump with this one giving me three years of service (less if you count the months of losing water - if it was to blame).
For one I refuse to buy at Autozone. I usually buy at O'reilly's. A1 cardone makes decent reman stuff. Although I would suggest a new water pump from O'reilly's instead considering the timing belt helps drive the pump and its a bit of a job to replace. Either or have lifetime warranties.
Also btw did you replace the O ring that goes on the water pipe down there is well? I cant think of the name of it but its down there... That could possibly be leaking instead of pump if you havent replaced it.
__________________ 2000 4Runner 3RZFE 5speed PT70 Built Supra 600hp behind us now 1991 2vzfe Camry Le loaded 1995 Corolla DX sunroof (Totalled ) 2004 TRD Tundra V8 (sold)
I did indeed replace that O-ring on the tube that joins the water pump housing to the lower radiator hose. I am hoping it may just be that O-ring or a bad spot on the lower hose. I was not clear on your answer. Were you saying you would go with an O'Reilly water pump as opposed to the lifetime one I have from AutoZone? I remember looking at O'Reilly's water pump when I was doing this job and it looked poorly machined and just not very neat, if that makes sense, the milling/grinding looked very imprecise, but that was 3 years ago.
I did what you did about a month ago on my 89 Camry V6. I got my parts as a kit from timingbeltkit.com. The water pump that came with it is a GMB brand and I can tell you that it looks like OEM quality and it is made in Japan.
If I were you I wouldn't change out any of the other steel components (pulleys, tensioner) or the oil seals unless they show any leaking. The timing belt however is an even call. You are about one half to one third the way through its service life and cost is only $40.00 or so. If the water pump pulley was binding or leaking on the belt you should definitely replace it.
On the other hand, I've replaced the timing belt twice, once at 80K and once at 238K and both times the old belt looked about as good as the new one, save for the shiny look.
Whichever water pump you choose to go with, I would replace the timing belt again while you are in there. You are halfway to a new one mileage-wise and you never know if any coolant got on the current belt. Probably not, but it's cheap enough insurance and with all the labor needed to get to the belt, might as well do it again while you are in there. It's up to you on the cam and crank seals, tensioner and idler pulleys, but if they look good, I would just leave them alone. They tend to last longer than the belt itself, IMHO.
The imported auto parts place here in town will not have the genuine "Band-O" timing belt in until tomorrow, so I reserved this job until then. I did spray the engine well down with some degreaser and rinsed it out well so it will be a little less "grimy." I also filled the radiator again with some water and got a long hard look at where it is leaking from. It is indeed coming from the lowest point of the timing belt cover, so definitely water pump. I also made sure AutoZone has this particular water pump in stock and had them put a hold on one for my replacement, along with buying some coolant and distilled water.
It's ON for tomorrow ... and best of all ... my eighteen year old daughter wants to help and watch and learn ... how cool is THAT?
Well I got it all done in about 8 hours yesterday (I am slow and meticulous, and easily distracted with a glass of iced tea when it is 95 degrees). After it was all put back together, I poured some distilled water into the radiator - and watched as water dripped from the same side of the engine well. I was telling myself, "It is something that can be fixed" to try and not get frustrated. I grabbed my mechanic's mirror and traced it to its source - the thermostat housing "draincock" I guess you would call it - tightened it more than I initially had and presto - it is stopped, mission accomplished. I did end up going with the Band-O timing belt, replacement AutoZone water pump, with new thermostat.
I ran across something odd while doing this, and I don't know if this should be a new thread. I had noticed the leaking water pump while hooking up a battery charger to the car. It has needed a jump and a charge 2 or 3 times in the past few months. I charged it all night, and still would not crank. I jumped it off and moved it to the shade where we did the WP and TB, taking the battery with me to AutoZone for testing. They quick-charged it and said it was fine (which confused me to no end). When putting everything back together after the WP and TB, I noticed (with the battery reconnected) that the pulley for the alternator had a strong magnetic attraction for my wrenches and that it had heated to probably 200 degrees at least (car not running). So the alternator was somehow "using current" when the car was off, but would make current enough to run the car when it was running. I got AutoZone to issue me a replacement for it also (lifetime one I had on there) and now it is up and running fine. Gen 2 rules!
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