5S-FE Water Pump: Mystery Gasket and O-Rings

[Yuko]

Thanks for all the DIYs that you guys have provided on TN. .

I have set time tomorrow to replace my water pump and timing belt before the second semester of college starts. I can’t afford all OEM parts so I got a new O’reilly Water Pump $35, Felpro gasket $3, OEM Tensionor spring $5, and a Gates timing belt for $18. The problem is in the water pump box; there is a extra gasket, o-rings, and a bolt that I have no idea where it goes. I search on TN and Google but no one mention about these parts. Are they for a different application?

You can see the extra parts in the bag.



The guy at the part store told me that the bolt should screw into one of the threaded holes (red arrows) Why are they there? But I think it's to replace one of the seven bolts on the old water pump.



Don’t worry; I got a blue Felpro water pump gasket but a bit confused about these extra parts in the box. I want to do it right the first time but on a tight budget. Maybe I should have bought the oil seals but I think the engine is still young. Thank for any advises and tips.

[71Corolla]

Originally Posted by Yuko

I can’t afford all OEM parts...

You won't like this, but unless you plan on selling your car shortly, it will cost you more in the long run.

As for the gaskets, there are two O-rings for the water pump, you will see them when take things apart. The smaller one goes on the water bypass pipe. Below that is where that small gasket goes with the two holes in it.

Do you have a new thermostat and gasket?

edit - there are differences between years when it comes to the 5SFE, so you may or may not need a gasket that is included with the water pump, which will fit on may different year Camry's. Here's a diagram for the 3SFE, which is slightly different than what you have but you get the idea.

[Yuko]

Thanks for the diagram. The gasket and o-rings dose go to the by-pass pipe. I guess most people leave that alone. With further searching, One of the bolt on the water pump is a screw and I guess the one in the bag is the replacement for it.

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

You won't like this, but unless you plan on selling your car shortly, it will cost you more in the long run.

Haha, I knew someone will tell me that. The risk of early parts failure does not out-weight the time and labor. I know I should replace the cam, oil, crank seal, tensioner, idler, ect. But I need to save money for new text books this semester. I'll gamble and skip the seals for now. I also don't want try to replace it and cause it to start leaking.

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

Do you have a new thermostat and gasket?

I will be flame on for this. I'll skip the thermostat and recycle the coolant too. *I can hear yelling* I plan at first to drive until the belt snap and replace anything, but the last place I need the belt to fail is (A) on the highway and (B) on the way to class for an exam. I'm just doing this to get me pass the next 4-5 years.

[JohnGD]

The fiber/paper gasket will need some Permatex water pump RTV, or it will seep coolant later.

When was the last timing job on the car? Were the seals and pulleys replaced?

[LynchburgCSI]

Four to five years.... Oh mannnnnn. You already know what I'm gonna say Yuko, so I won't say it.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by Yuko

I'm just doing this to get me pass the next 4-5 years.

I'm pretty sure you will be fine, depending on how many miles you average a year and driving conditions. Gates belt quality is good as OEM. Not sure about the water pump.

[JohnGD]

Well if you gotta save money, you gotta save money.

But at least check for seepage around oil seals. Shake the pulleys and listen for clicking.

[Yuko]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The fiber/paper gasket will need some Permatex water pump RTV, or it will seep coolant later.

Originally Posted by JohnGD

When was the last timing job on the car? Were the seals and pulleys replaced?

Yea, I got the RTV for it already. This is the first this timing belt job on this car so it still have the original seals and pulleys

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Four to five years.... Oh mannnnnn. You already know what I'm gonna say Yuko, so I won't say it.

Well, not sure what you mean. I know my OEM timing belt have a service life of 90,000 miles under normal driving. When I meant 4 to 5 years, I just wanted to get my Camry going through college and after earning my Industrial Design degree and a career with a major motor company; then I can afford to have my Camry properly and fully serviced at Toyota with OEM parts. But for now, I needed to make sure my Camry can reliably get me from home to the university.

Also, I just got a front crank and oil seal kit from Fel-Pro for $7 but if it's not leaking, should I even touch it at 80,000 miles.

[JohnGD]

By 100K or so the pulleys are usually quite noisy and can have some play. But if you still have factory parts on there then maybe you can wing it.

But with a Gates Timing Component Kit at $54+shipping on rockauto and oil seals adding another $20 or so. These will really help last the 4-5 years you need.

And agreeing with others, not really sure about the water pump however. What brand is the pump?

[LynchburgCSI]

I was getting at the fact that all the parts mentioned in this thread SHOULD be OEM. Skimp on gaskets, and they may not last for 4-5 years. Felpro is a good brand though.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by Yuko

Also, I just got a front crank and oil seal kit from Fel-Pro for $7 but if it's not leaking, should I even touch it at 80,000 miles.

I doubt there will be oil leakage, be careful when replacing the seals. The aluminum can be damaged easily.

I guessing its a MasterPro WP, the original WP will probably last longer.

[Yuko]

I do agree with all of you, OEM is the BEST . Sadly my wallet don't agree, so I have to settle for the aftermarket. Here’s the part listed.

Water Pump: O’reilly Master Pro Select New Water Pump: Assembled in U.S.A. of U.S. and foreign parts.
Timing Belt: Gates: Made In U.S.A.? (I’ll find out tomorrow when I pick it up)
WP Gasket: Fel-Pro: Made in U.S.A.
Tensioner Spring: OEM P/N 90507-17003: It’s Toyota so it had to be good right?

I think I’ll return the Fel-Pro Front Set Kit because they are a mix of Taiwan and Mexico (I’ll leave the original in…)

[LynchburgCSI]

Sounds fine! The WP i'm a little weary of. But it has a warranty, right?

[JohnGD]

Do you plan to use Toyota Red coolant with *distilled* water?

Originally Posted by Yuko

I do agree with all of you, OEM is the BEST . Sadly my wallet don't agree, so I have to settle for the aftermarket. Here’s the part listed.

Water Pump: O’reilly Master Pro Select New Water Pump: Assembled in U.S.A. of U.S. and foreign parts.
Timing Belt: Gates: Made In U.S.A.? (I’ll find out tomorrow when I pick it up)
WP Gasket: Fel-Pro: Made in U.S.A.
Tensioner Spring: OEM P/N 90507-17003: It’s Toyota so it had to be good right?

I think I’ll return the Fel-Pro Front Set Kit because they are a mix of Taiwan and Mexico (I’ll leave the original in…)

[pmesfun]

I read somewhere in this forum that, on aftermarket wp you use green (prestone) coolant?

He said he is reusing the old coolant.