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2013 camry 4 cyl maintenance

842 views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  Blahblahmatrix  
#1 ·
One owner 4 cyl with 85K. All I have done is change oil at about 5k intervals and replace front brake pads. Have had several other Camrys and Accords where I replaced or had replaced the water pump, antifreeze. thermostat. tensioners and idlers at 60k or thereabouts. I had a really bad experience having to replace a water pump with a flashlight on a road trip so am gunshy about them and want to replace this one. Plan to keep this car.
Two Toyota dealers where I live but they don't even give you a kiss when you buy parts from them so am wondering if there are other sources of dependable Toyota parts (OEM or not) that might be more reasonably priced. A quick look at water pumps on Amazon or Rock Auto shows a really dramatic range of prices.
Any help is appreciated
 
#2 ·
Since Toyota parts are the best, and last a LONG time, I try to use only OEM parts from my dealer....especially anything electrical. Chinese junk has burned many mechanics by failing in a short period of time. I bought one thing from EBay, many years ago for my old Tacoma...and got burned...they send the part for a Tundra...shipping to replace it (to China) would've been more than the part costs so I just never bought on EBay since. (Except for small struts and such.)
Many dealers here in Colorado now have on-line parts departments that will mark down stuff 10-20% and if you pick them up from the parts department, no shipping costs. Some will, also, match on-line prices if you show it to them (from other Toyota dealerships).
 
#3 ·
Try Genuine Toyota Parts and Accessories: Official Online Store | Autoparts.toyota.com if you want Toyota parts.

You can price out from multiple dealerships. You can even pick shipped or store pickup.

I either get Toyota parts or almost equivalent from Rockauto, like a water pump. I got Aisin brand from RA, I get Denso spark plugs and coils. I even get Aisin coolant from there. My original alternators and starters all says Denso on them.

Original WP I replaced, says Aisin and Toyota on them.
 
#4 ·
Such a good plan to stay ahead of the cooling system - water pump, thermostat, coolant, belt and RAD CAP! I have a spare rad cap in the spare tire well (along with the old belts). I have fixed roadside breakdowns for others with the old but functional rad cap.

Change coolant every 5 years.
for what it is worth - For $150 I change out the radiator with a Denso when I get the car (and do the WP as applicable to the engine). If you change the coolant every 5 years the rad does not seem to leak because the coolant never gets acidic.

I like changing out idler and tensioner when appropriate - it always amazes me how quiet the engine is after that is done.
 
#6 ·
All of this is preventive maintenance. I use a $70 AISIN pump that obviously has the TOYOTA letters ground off. Once coolant goes acidic, it starts attacking the seals. Unless you've changed it or tested it all along, replacement is just re-baselining. I'm all about not worrying when driving through the desert when it is 118 degrees.
 
#8 ·
I use this website for direct parts from Toyota dealers. You can use any Toyota dealer in US and most will ship to you for free for orders over $75


I use NJ dealers on this website that discount the parts and during sale 4th of July, thanksgiving etc you can get an additional 15-30%.