Water Pump Replaced, now Rougher Idle, Lower gas Mileage, some rattle

[2006cam]

Hi all,

I had water pump and belt changed by a Toyota Dealer on 2006 4 cyl Camry LE. Now the car idles a little rougher, gas mileage is down by around 20%, and there is some subtle chatter noise.
O.K., before the car would idle quiet (could not hear it from inside car), now it is noisier with a little vibration- both in park and drive.
Gas mileage is worse, and I am compensating for winter temps (no snow around). I fill the tank and reset mileage to check. The needle also confirms lower mileage too.
A little noise around belt or pump area but another mechanic said belt tentioner is fine, no need to replace.
So what could the dealer have done to cause this? What parts/systems do they operate on? Dealer said car sounds o.k., can't hear anything unusual (of course).
Is there anything I can check myself or fix myself? I may try an auto stethoscope when I get one. Just want the old car back. Thanks!
p.s.- car has timing chain, no belt.

[AtoZed]

My 1st thought is to check vacuum hoses. If one got knocked off accidentally it might cause your symptons.

[z27ls3]

should'nt really have these symptoms from a simple water pump job regardless of
dealer or independent mechanic. its really not that related, unless a botched job and
covered up. I would hope not but who knows?
check around the air filter housing, check for vacuum lines off as mentioned above.
I would break out the flashlight and comb over the engine looking for anything obviously
n vacuum line not connected, ect....of course a real problem would set a
not plugged in,check engine. is there a check engine light on?
i would check the battery and make sure tight connections.
i would clean the throttle body by hand, with T.B. cleaner & shop rag.
did the symptoms come up immediately after the water pump?
maybe a bad tank of fuel??

[89molavi]

What is the temp reading? If they knocked the temp sensor wire you will be running cold. Also check coolant/level. Something is amiss here. Waterpump and belt change does not involve anything that would affect how engine runs, just bolt off and on. Also agree on others on vacuum lines, but still suspicious of the wiring in that tight spot.

[Glenn8963]

i think it is all either a coincidence or nothing more than a vacuum line being left off, or hey, at that age of a car, a vacuum line could have easily been cracked during the repair, and gone un-noticed.

also a possibility is that the mixture of coolant is a bit off, not allowing the sensors to get a proper temperature to work.

as said, since no timing belt needed to be replaced, it will be something simple. either that or you are just thinking it is idling rougher than ever. and yes, even though no snow, it is still winter, you will always lose some mpg's....

i would have at the very least though, replaced the idler/tensioner pulley as that has a "limited" lifespan, and is cheap to replace..i have seen those explode and create all kinds of damage.....

[2006cam]

Hi z27,
symptoms came after water pump change only on same tank of gas. Car would idle smooth w/ no vibration after warm. Only problem was a once in a blue moon turning key while engine running. No check engine light. Going to check everything people are saying. Thanks

Originally Posted by z27ls3

should'nt really have these symptoms from a simple water pump job regardless of
dealer or independent mechanic. its really not that related, unless a botched job and
covered up. I would hope not but who knows?
check around the air filter housing, check for vacuum lines off as mentioned above.
I would break out the flashlight and comb over the engine looking for anything obviously
n vacuum line not connected, ect....of course a real problem would set a
not plugged in,check engine. is there a check engine light on?
i would check the battery and make sure tight connections.
i would clean the throttle body by hand, with T.B. cleaner & shop rag.
did the symptoms come up immediately after the water pump?
maybe a bad tank of fuel??

[2006cam]

Hi Glenn,
funny thing is dealer said tensioner a little loose but when I picked up car they did not mention it, I had to remind them. Then I asked if it was important to change it now since I may go to Yellowstone this winter from (Chicago suburbs) and they said I'd be fine. Seemed odd...but I'll check underside of belt. I got a quote from local shop for $189 plus $45 for labor for tensioner so I may do that like you said- I brought it in and they called and said "why do you want to replace it, it's fine."
Engine temp seems fine, levels off just before temp symbol when fully warm, like before. Thanks

Originally Posted by Glenn8963

i think it is all either a coincidence or nothing more than a vacuum line being left off, or hey, at that age of a car, a vacuum line could have easily been cracked during the repair, and gone un-noticed.

also a possibility is that the mixture of coolant is a bit off, not allowing the sensors to get a proper temperature to work.

as said, since no timing belt needed to be replaced, it will be something simple. either that or you are just thinking it is idling rougher than ever. and yes, even though no snow, it is still winter, you will always lose some mpg's....

i would have at the very least though, replaced the idler/tensioner pulley as that has a "limited" lifespan, and is cheap to replace..i have seen those explode and create all kinds of damage.....

[Glenn8963]

Originally Posted by 2006cam

Hi Glenn,
funny thing is dealer said tensioner a little loose but when I picked up car they did not mention it, I had to remind them. Then I asked if it was important to change it now since I may go to Yellowstone this winter from (Chicago suburbs) and they said I'd be fine. Seemed odd...but I'll check underside of belt. I got a quote from local shop for $189 plus $45 for labor for tensioner so I may do that like you said- I brought it in and they called and said "why do you want to replace it, it's fine."
Engine temp seems fine, levels off just before temp symbol when fully warm, like before. Thanks

the spring in a tensioner can go bad. let's face it, it does keep tension on the belt, and that can in time stress it out. also, even though it is a closed bearing(s), the bearings can go bad. whenever a serpentine belt was replaced (50,000-60,000 miles or so), i would replace the tensioner. it's just good insurance, as i told you, i have seen those things after they exploded.

for the money, i'd do it.

[winstead22]

When I had the water pump replaced under warranty on my '07 Camry I remember reading that there is a crankshaft position sensor and wire that has to be unpluged to get the water pump off. Could be a long shot but maybe this is not attached correctly or the wire got pinched.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by winstead22

When I had the water pump replaced under warranty on my '07 Camry I remember reading that there is a crankshaft position sensor and wire that has to be unpluged to get the water pump off. Could be a long shot but maybe this is not attached correctly or the wire got pinched.

A pinched wire could be the culprit. The link below is a 5th generation Camry that got the water pump replaced and the wire to the crankshaft sensor got pinched. Don't know what kind of problems this would cause.

http://youtu.be/UNy-WUQhjuU