06 Camry I4 water pump....when to replace?

[keith91]

Hello all,

Tried doing a search and found a lot of info on how to replace the water pump on my I4 and what the issues are, but didn't find anything on when to replace (if needed) as preventative maintenance. I drive about 40-45 miles one way to work everyday and don't want to get stranded. I currently have 75K miles on my I4 and to my knowledge (have had the car since 40K miles) it is the original water pump. There is no noise (bad bearing) and there is no sign of weeping.

Should I replace as a preventative measure or just leave it go until I get an issue? I really don't want to have a failure being so far from home, but then again with all the issues even with the replacement pumps still having the same issues, I don't want to change out a potential 'diamond in the rough' pump that I may have now.

Thoughts? Thanks for any help.

Kg

[Glenn8963]

wait till you have an issue..then replace

the only "preventative maintenance" things you should concern yourself with, are oil/filter changes, fuel filter changes, fuel injector cleanings, air filter changing, cabin air filter changing, replacing tires (when worn), etc,etc.

no need to start tearing that engine apart now..you will get "signals" the pump needs to be replaced, like drips on the driveway for one.

[sundarpn]

I'd like to know too

[arabianobsession]

Replacing parts when they're working just fine is a waste of your money.....wait until you see seepage/low coolant level and get it checked out. When your water pump starts to go it will go slowly, not overnight (99% of the time). You'll see coolant puddle underneath your car and hard, crusty coolant on the water pump itself.

[hardtopte72]

Although not always the case I have seen some 2AZFE water pumps go with no warning at all. Not only that but letting an older(2002-2006) 2AZFE run low for an extended period of time can cause a blown headgasket and pull the threads out of the engine block causing huge expensive repairs. Again this probaly wont happen to you. More often than not it doesnt drip. It just forms more and more crust on around the water pump and the front of the engine and drops your coolant level slowly.

But just make sure to always keep the coolant topped off with only Toyota Super Long Life (pink) coolant.

Also the fuel filter in a 2006 Camry is a non serviceable in tank filter that is a lifetime part.

[keith91]

Thank you all for the info. I checked my coolant level and it is at the Low indicator in the overflow tank. I am going to get some SLLC at the dealer and fill it to the Hi indicator. I did check around the water pump and see no crusting or indications of leaking. I will keep a better eye on the overflow tank to see if it goes down or not, since I only discovered this water pump issue when researching about other maintenance items I need to do since I just got this camry just over a year ago.

Kg