water pump for 06 avalon - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

messerchmidt · 09-06-2009, 04:21 PM

hey guys, got 102,000km now on my 06 xls (about 60k miles), was wondering if i should do the water pump now or soon? (cannot find the book)

get a oem toyota one or after market? thanks

***TrailDust*** · 09-06-2009, 05:04 PM

Have you had your timing belt changed recently? If not, do them both now as you're running on borrowed time if neither has been changed (especially for the timing belt).

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 09-06-2009, 05:14 PM

"Borrowed Time"? It's only got 60,000 miles on it.

Leave it alone - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Stick to Toyota's maintenance schedule.

***TrailDust*** · 09-06-2009, 06:16 PM

I was thinking miles, not kilometers. Helps if you take in those details....

messerchmidt · 09-07-2009, 01:22 AM

i cannot find the damn maintenance book... :-(

i think the 3.5L is belt drivwen, when do they have to be done? bothg the pump and/or chains?

avy327 · 09-08-2009, 08:37 AM

chain

inov8 · 09-08-2009, 10:46 AM

Modern V6 engines commonly have camshafts driven by a timing belt, and
a water pump that is mounted under the front engine cover and timing belt-driven.
Since the labor to change the water pump or timing belt is similar for such engines,
it has become recommended pratice to replace the water pump, regardless of
apparent condition, when replacing the timing belt.

The 2005-2009 Avalon engine does NOT use a timing belt nor does it mount
the water pump internal to the engine. The water pump is driven by the
serpentine accessory belt and is bolted to the front of the engine, similar
to "Detroit Iron" V8 engines.

There is no potential cost saving to replacement of the 2005-up Avalon water
pump before it leaks or fails. I concur with Tom in Tacoma's recommendation.

As avy327 efficiently pointed out with the fewest possible number of words, your
Avalon has chain-driven camshafts, so no periodic timing belt change is necessary.

messerchmidt · 09-08-2009, 07:11 PM

I called toyota and they told me @ 145,000km to do the water pump. does this sound right?

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 09-08-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messerchmidt

I called toyota and they told me @ 145,000km to do the water pump. does this sound right?

Nope - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. When it starts to leak or fails to cool the engine THEN fix it.

messerchmidt · 09-09-2009, 01:10 AM

i do not want it to die when i am out on the highway about say 200 miles from home, and then need a tow and new engine. I am going to go by toyotas recommendation.

inov8 · 09-09-2009, 12:49 PM

There are numerous parts that could conceivably die 200 miles from home, and consequently disable the car, such as the transmission, rediator, coolant hoses, master cylinder, alternator, wheel bearings, etc. Do you plan to replace all of these as well, as preventative maintenance? There is no certeinty the new pump will not fail prematurely just a few months after installation.

Unless you have an expectation the pump will not last the life of the car, why replace it before it fails? Water pumps typically fail with some warning (bearing; seal leak; gradual loss of flow due to a worn impeller), so less likely to strand you than most of the other items I mentioned.

The pump retails for $200 (discount price $150), but the labor is not trivial. The factory shop manual recommends removing an engine mount and numerous other parts for access.
One option is to buy a replacement and keep it in the trunk. Any decent mechanic could make the swap in an emergency situation.

The Toyota-recommended 145kM (90,000 mile) replacement sounds about right if it conicides with your dealer's boat payment due date.

messerchmidt · 09-09-2009, 05:17 PM

hehe,

I bought a Toyota Avalon over a lot of other nicer cars such as an Audi A6 (I buy used as i am a still a student, in law though) because I drive alot and also I do not want to deal with car problems.

I am going to gte a buddy of mine to order the part from the dealer for me as he has a discount (body shop) and one of his mechanics to install it. I do things on the cheap, but do them properly and when required.

09camryUA · 09-09-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messerchmidt

hehe,

I bought a Toyota Avalon over a lot of other nicer cars such as an Audi A6 (I buy used as i am a still a student, in law though) because I drive alot and also I do not want to deal with car problems.

I am going to gte a buddy of mine to order the part from the dealer for me as he has a discount (body shop) and one of his mechanics to install it. I do things on the cheap, but do them properly and when required.

For what its worth i wouldn't worry about the water pump. I would worry about the vvti oil line much more. I've never seen a avalon water pump leak, but i see the oil line leaks all the time... The water pump pays about 7 hours labor for warranty and customer pay would be 9 hours easy.

messerchmidt · 09-10-2009, 01:21 AM

that was fixed under warrenty via the tsb already by the previous owner

09camryUA · 09-17-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messerchmidt

that was fixed under warrenty via the tsb already by the previous owner

Thats good. Rechecked the time to do the water pump and its only 1.6 hours. The camry with the V6 is 7.4