3rd & 4th Generation (19921996 & 19972001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I recently bought my 2001 camry into my local dealership for a brake job. As well, they did an analysis of all the engine parts and they told me that my water pump is about to go out soon. The car only has 50,000 miles on it so I thought it was strange for them to mention that at only 50,000 miles. Are they lying only trying to pick my pockets or is it common for water pumps to go out on a 2001 Camry with only 50,000 miles?
What engine is this? The pump is under a cover. The dealer would need to remove the cover to inspect it or hear a noise from a worn bearing or see coolant leaking out or? Do you hear or see anything unusual? What reason did the dealer give for their conclusion that the pump was bad? A pump can easily go over 100K, hence this seems premature, but stranger things have happened.
If the pump is bad, also have them change out the timing and other belts. They will have almost taken everything needed to replace these off to get to the pump.
and at 50k you should b ok, maybe consider doing the belts soon pending how u drive.
im at 60k i plan to do my belts soon, the water pump maybe later, but i think it maybe easier to do while doing the timing belt.
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92 SC300 Garnet Red 5-speed 119k 01 Camry LE V6 Sailfin Blue 95K miles
Ask the dealer why the water pump needs replacing. What indications does he have?
He may be right. It's a mechanical part and can fail at any time, although it unusual.
__________________ It worked fine until I fixed it!
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**ADAM! A/C button for Gen 5.5 Camry (2005 LE) !! Por favor!
Brake lights aren't broken, I just don't brake.
--Can honestly go to a parts counter and ask for brake shoes for the front brakes.
--Likes long walks on the beach.... once it's lit by a massive bonfire.
Weird noises Adam, can you be more specific because my engine is full of weird noises
Sometimes the water pump will make noise before it quits on you, sometimes it will not. The water pump can start squealing like a bad door hinge before it croaks, and of course the squeal varies with engine speed. To isolate the noise just remove or loosen the timing belt cover and listen. If it isnt clear where the noise is from (and it rarely is!) you can apply a little pressure on the pulley with a wooden stick or something and see if the noise changes (caution, dangerous, use care not to get the stick up your nose.).
But sometimes a water pump will quit and not make a sound. If the bearing siezed up it might be silent, but you'd know it in a hurry cause your timing belt will snap. Other times the water pump just starts to leak without making any noise. If this happens the bottom timing belt cover will be full of coolant and also leaking.
For others to say your water pump is good, based on mileage or because THEIR car's pump is fine, is a disservice to you. Some posters have been right on the mark - your water pump can fail at very low mileage and also last the lifetime of the car. Each one is different. That said, I would EXPECT that a water pump would last to at least the timing belt change. But, as the saying goes, s*#t happens.
Water pumps typically have a weep hole on them to allow water that seeps past the shaft seal to drip out. If water is dripping out or even leaking and then drying as it hits the hot engine block, then it is time for a change. For example, I drive a 93 Acura Legend. I replaced the timing belt at 94000 miles and did all of the accessory belts and timing belts and water pump. there was evidence that the water pump shaft seal was starting to leak. I saw bits of dried green "stuff" in the vicinity of the weep hole. Apparently this pump would leak but it never leaked enough to show outside of the cover or as drips on the ground.
The only time I have heard a failing water pump, it was a dry sort of very light scraping sound. It was almost not discernable over the sound of the engine. I would guess that if the failing water pump were allowed to go long enough, you could get a very loud sound.
So, I would do as others have suggested and ask the dealer the big WHY question. Why does he think that the water pump needs to be replaced? Secondly, when I used to have dealers do this work, I always asked for the take off parts back.
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Is My Dealership Lying?
Adam, can you be more specific because my engine is full of weird noises
It worked fine until I fixed it! 
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