5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Ok... you're wrong... don't get a 3.5L V6 and go away...
Won't get a Camry cuz of a water pump replacement? Now I've heard every reason...
I mean, water pumps usually fail around the 150k mark from my past experience. If a car requires a $1500 ??? water pump job every 7-10 years, that's a huge downside.
I'm not saying that I'll avoid the Camry all together, but I think it might be a better idea to get a 4-cyl instead.
Easy guys, I think Critic has a point. More than once I've heard people complain about "if I'd known this or that" about a certain model, then they might have chosen differently.
Personally, I think that the current V-6 Camry is getting a lot of unfair attention, though there have been some distinctly un-Toyota-like problems. Unless they've installed a special "long life" unit of some sort, this would have to be counted as a blunder. As PND points out, water pumps do fail with some regularity. Notably, in many timing belt cars, the manufacturers have routinely advised to replace the pump with the timing belt. Of course, the 2GR is a timing chain engine, so that old bit of advice won't hold water (oops), so maybe this won't need to be done regularly. That said, irrespective of how often, having to lift out the entire engine-transaxle combo just to do a water pump is pretty absurd.
1998 toyota camry V6 283,000 miles, still on the original water pump.
Things I have had to replace replace: radiator, front wheel bearings, motor mounts,
I had a V-6 Camry myself (a 2003.5) for several years and loved the car; my experience was similar. It was one of the best cars I've ever owned, and trading it for that G35 was one of the most grotesque car mistakes I've ever made. I don't think this thread is about attacking the car at all, but as with all things, it's not perfect. IMO (and it is just my opinion), even if it only needs to be done once in the car's lifetime, having to drop the entire engine to get to water pump is pretty over-the-top.
The Following User Says Thank You to ekpolk For This Useful Post:
I don't know what all you nannies are bitching about the 3.5L V6. Mine runs like a champ with no flare or other problems. Fast as a bat in hell in a straitaway and it gets good gas milege for a 3.5L engine.
Don't settle and get the real deal.
No one is saying the 3.5L is a bad engine, just the way it was designed where you need to remove the entire engine to replace the water pump. But who knows, maybe the water pump in the 3.5L doesn't need to be changed for 200K miles..
Who said droping an engine is a good thing? IF it happens, then unlike you and Critic I would sell the car and move on to another. I don't sweat trivial "what if''s" such as a water pump failing at 100,000 miles because I don't plan on keeping my Camry that long anyways.
Although paying for repair costs are a responsibility of car ownership, having to pay $1500 for a repair that could normally be significantly less is a downside to owning an 2GR-FE. While there are owners like you who do not plan to keep their vehicles past 100k miles, there are many other potential owners like myself who plan to keep the vehicle for as long as possible. As a result, it is a perfectly legitimate concern for some to consider all of the potential repair costs prior to purchasing the vehicle. The possibility of having to spend such an exorbitant sum of money on an otherwise relatively inexpensive and simple repair at least once during ownership will discourage potential buyers.
Last edited by the critic; 12-22-2007 at 01:55 PM.
What's truly absurd, however, is a car designed to need a $1500 repair when it could and should (and it's competitors do) need only about a $500 nearly superficial repair.
I don't want to get in the middle of mud-slinging, but just an FYI, my 1999 LS400 needed a water pump replacement at 120K miles, and I had it replaced (along with a bunch of other stuff) for $1350. No sweat at all... These cars cost a bunch to own, and a bunch to fix. My LS400 with the 4.0L 290Hp motor didn't need to be removed to replace the water pump, but it still cost me a lotta $$$. If the cost of $1500 to replace a water pump at 100K+ miles is a deterrent to owning the 2GR V6 motor, maybe you are driving the wrong car. If you'd expect to spend $500 to replace a water pump in a MY2007 5 years from now, I'd hope you are right, altho' I'd guess it'll cost you much more than that on any car 5 years from now.
Having said the above, I agree it doesn't make sense for Toyota to design this motor that way. They surely can do better...
__________________
White 2008 TCH Loaded (Nav, leather, etc) Mods: rear lip spoiler|mesh grille|chrome door sills|rear applique|225/45/ZR18|tints|6000K HIDs|Fogs|interior LED lights My car site
cramming a bigger engine into an engine bay designed for a 4 cylinder doesn't make working on it any easier. if the engine bay for the v6 was increased it may not need the engine to be taken out. toyota sells cheap cars, they gotta have some way to make money from service
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
