3.4 4runner water pump failure

[madbluejay]

Our reliable 1997 4runner has for the first time since new suffered a mechanical failure. While driving back home after our kids' college registration process was over, I could hear what sounded like loose ball bearings near the front/radiator area. nothing else seemed going on. I suspected the water pump was near failure. My suspicions where right when all of a sudden we lost power. Upon parking off the road. lots of coolant fluid had sprayed under and no coolant remained in the radiator or reserve bottle. the engine cranked but did not start when the tow truck operator tried to drive it up the ramp. What will a water pump failure cause within the engine, will it render the engine useless? Will it have caused the timing belt to break, thus the failure of the engine to start? The mechanic has not given me a run down on what is going on- but did quote 600.00 for timing belt, pump and work. However he had not take it apart. What should I expect?

143K
Rear trans-axle was once replaced due to rust perforations and faulty metal.
Not a daily driver

[kball]

Have you had the timing belt replaced on the 4runner yet? 143K is way past the recommended 90K but they are known for going way past 90K anyway. The timing belt turns the water pump so if the pump seized then it would probably tear up the timing belt fairly quickly.

If the timing belt breaks the engine will turn over fine but not start. Hopefully you didn't overheat it too badly.

You can buy a timing belt/water pump kit with all the idlers and tensioner online for around $300. The $600 your mechanic quoted isn't bad.

[madbluejay]

I had not replaced any mayor component other than silencer and rear axle for material failure. Done front suspension component replacement, bolt joint ends etc. Did not get to overheat according to gauge. Lost of power prevented driving any further. thanks for your quick answer.

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