water pump longevity

[rimfire,22]

Hello to all Camry owners,

Question and opinion. Has anyone driven they're water pumps past the 60,000 mile service interval and lived to tell me the story?

The last time I had a new pump installed was at the 180,000 mile service. Now that I'm past the 200,000 mile mark I want this pump to last til the 260,000 mile service BUT if I go by the miles exactly that means I'll need a new pump at the 240K mark instead. Kinda odd ball figure. That's a 20,000 mile difference. Question does ANYONE think I can make it to the 260K and change the pump then? If the opinion is positive then I want to have them flush and put in fresh coolant instead. Right now I'm counting pennies.

I have an 89' Camry with the typical 4 cylinder.

Thanks for all you help/postings so far

rimfire,22

[Daniel M. Dreifus]

Originally Posted by rimfire,22

Hello to all Camry owners,

Question and opinion. Has anyone driven they're water pumps past the 60,000 mile service interval and lived to tell me the story?
Right now I'm counting pennies.

rimfire,22

=============================
If you're using the Toyota coolant mixed with distilled water and Toyota brand water pump you should be OK changing the water pump every other timing belt change at 120,000 miles.
I change it at 60,000 miles just to be safe.
Also remember to change the coolant periodically.

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by Daniel M. Dreifus

=============================
If you're using the Toyota coolant mixed with distilled water and Toyota brand water pump you should be OK changing the water pump every other timing belt change at 120,000 miles.
I change it at 60,000 miles just to be safe.
Also remember to change the coolant periodically.

Dan,

Thanks for youe quick response! I'v always had Toyota handle my services so I'm confident they did the job fine although depending on the dealership I can't say they used Toyota brand coolant and distilled water. Some delaerships use different brands. Based on your posting I feel pretty confident that the pump I currently use will last til the 260 service. At that time I don't mind changing it then. At the same time I'm gonna chance the timing belt as well and do the engine flush and fresh coolant. This is assuming the seals shows no leaks. So fas nothings on the garage floor yet.
You've made me feel better cuz again I'm counting pennies with out skipping any services.

rimfire,22

[RIP]

I own two Camrys, a 94 with 150K miles and an 87 with 240K miles. Both have their original water pumps. I own a 96 Grand Caravan and I changed the pump for leaking at 122K miles. I'd say your pump will make it. Generally when a pump goes it gives you plenty of warning. Maybe I'm blessed but, I see no need to "schedule" a pump change. Just food for thought.

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by RIP

I own two Camrys, a 94 with 150K miles and an 87 with 240K miles. Both have their original water pumps. I own a 96 Grand Caravan and I changed the pump for leaking at 122K miles. I'd say your pump will make it. Generally when a pump goes it gives you plenty of warning. Maybe I'm blessed but, I see no need to "schedule" a pump change. Just food for thought.

RIP,

WOW! That long on your origional pump? Now that's reallly impressive. I've always gone by the recommendations that Toyota delaership has given me. I'm kinda pissed-off cuz they always pushed these type items on me in the past infering that if it goes I can only blame myself. OK I know a pump can go at anytime just like a light bulb BUTTTT the recommended change out time by the dealership AND the fact that you've had such good luck indicates a very wide variance in miles. All I want is to get it last til the 260,000 miles and then reevaluate the situation/pocket book then. For the sake of my pocket book and such for sure I'm not gonna change the pump for sure unless they tell me the seal is leaking. After all under my moms care it wasn't driven very much (since 180,000 miles, put on new pump then) and now I only have about 210,000 miles tell me only the timing belt my main issue now and that's a separate issue in-itself.

Thank you it was the best information received as far.

rimfire,22

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by rimfire,22

RIP,

WOW! That long on your origional pump? Now that's reallly impressive. I've always gone by the recommendations that Toyota delaership has given me. I'm kinda pissed-off cuz they always pushed these type items on me in the past infering that if it goes I can only blame myself. OK I know a pump can go at anytime just like a light bulb BUTTTT the recommended change out time by the dealership AND the fact that you've had such good luck indicates a very wide variance in miles. All I want is to get it last til the 260,000 miles and then reevaluate the situation/pocket book then. For the sake of my pocket book and such for sure I'm not gonna change the pump for sure unless they tell me the seal is leaking. After all under my moms care it wasn't driven very much (since 180,000 miles, put on new pump then) and now I only have about 210,000 miles tell me only the timing belt my main issue now and that's a separate issue in-itself.

Thank you it was the best information received as far.

rimfire,22

Hello,

I have a 1989 camry with 184,000 miles on it and has only had the water pump replaced once at 86,000 miles. the timing belt was replaced once at 76,000 miles. both were done at the toyota dealership using oem parts. I thought I would have to replace these parts real soon, but from the posts I've been reading it looks like it can wait awile longer. 240,000 miles on the original water pump. WOW I wonder how long a timing belt will last before it breaks. 200,000? 300,000?

I baby the car most of the time and keep up with changing the fluids. oil/coolant/etc..

Regards,

JOET/CAMRY

[RIP]

The timing belt on my 87 lasted 116,000 miles. It slipped pulling away from a stop light. I barely got it home. I highly recommend you change this part on a schedule. I changed it again at 207,000 miles.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by RIP

The timing belt on my 87 lasted 116,000 miles. It slipped pulling away from a stop light. I barely got it home. I highly recommend you change this part on a schedule. I changed it again at 207,000 miles.

Thank you RIP for responding,

I read on this forum awhile back of someone getting well over 200,000 miles on their original timing belt before it broke. I guess I would really be gambling if I tried to get the same mileage out of my timing belt before I replace it. I asked the question about longest timing belt life out of curiosity. I'm not sure what toyota recomends for timing belt replacement for my car as far as mileage goes. (1989 4 cyl. 3sfe engine) I heard every 60,000 miles, 75,000 miles, and 90,000 miles.

Would it be best to replace the belt with a toyota brand name (from the dealer) or a aftermarket one from auto zone, advanced auto, etc? is there a big difference in quality?

I imagine it also depends on driving habbits and where the car will be driven. I always wondered if driving up a long hill/mountain road (like mount washington) would put an extra strain on the timing belt as well as other components of the car. I tend to drive my car easy most of the time. On the highway I rarely go over 65 MPH. unless i'm in a real hurry. take care.


Regards,

JOET/CAMRY

[vicchang]

Originally Posted by RIP

I own two Camrys, a 94 with 150K miles and an 87 with 240K miles. Both have their original water pumps. I own a 96 Grand Caravan and I changed the pump for leaking at 122K miles. I'd say your pump will make it. Generally when a pump goes it gives you plenty of warning. Maybe I'm blessed but, I see no need to "schedule" a pump change. Just food for thought.

Same for me, 88 Camry wagon, over 200K, original WP and timing belt.

If you always go by dealer recommendations, you had been ripped off pretty good. My phylosophy is "why fix it if it's not bad". I do perform regular maintenance pretty seriously.

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by vicchang

Same for me, 88 Camry wagon, over 200K, original WP and timing belt.

If you always go by dealer recommendations, you had been ripped off pretty good. My phylosophy is "why fix it if it's not bad". I do perform regular maintenance pretty seriously.

vicchang,

Now a days I don't mind as when they indicate that they're ripping me off I contact "AAA" if they have a sign posted. Most dealerships are members so if they want to steal money from hard working people go ahead. Heck! I can make a quick call from work and talk to consumer services at "AAA". They seem to like hearing all about these kind of people. It appears these people have been stealing money from my mom for years. NOT ANY MORE!

Now that I know the scam I just won't have it replaced til a leak appears. At least Longo Toyota that I just visited seem to be straight/professional people.

I am going to put on a new timing belt though. That way I can forget that part til the 260,000 mile service and that'll be a good couple years.

Thank you all for your postings.

rimfire,22

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by JOET/CAMRY

Hello,

I have a 1989 camry with 184,000 miles on it and has only had the water pump replaced once at 86,000 miles. the timing belt was replaced once at 76,000 miles. both were done at the toyota dealership using oem parts. I thought I would have to replace these parts real soon, but from the posts I've been reading it looks like it can wait awile longer. 240,000 miles on the original water pump. WOW I wonder how long a timing belt will last before it breaks. 200,000? 300,000?

I baby the car most of the time and keep up with changing the fluids. oil/coolant/etc..

Regards,

JOET/CAMRY

Today I took off the top portion of the timing belt cover of my 1989 camry to take a peek at the condition of the timing belt. the outer part of the belt had cracks all through it. after I put in the post the other day I did some adding and subtracting and realized that it has been 108,000 miles/almost 10 years since the last time the belt was replaced. The water pump has 98,000 miles since it was last replaced. I guess I should replace the timing belt asap. I don't know how much longer the belt will last in the condition it is in. I was hoping to get it done in june or july when the weather here in Mass. will be warmer. I don't know if I should wait that long! I never replaced a timing belt or timing chain in any of my cars/trucks that I have owned over the years. Never even thought about it. probrally because the timing belt is hidden away from plain sight when I look at the engine. I always replaced all the other belts though. I'm gonna grab my Haynes 1983-1991 camry repair manual and give it my best shot.

I checked with the local toyota dealership and found out the toyota brand name timing belt would cost $41.71 not including tax. Is an aftermarket belt (that I could buy at auto zone, advanced auto,napa,pep boys,etc.) just as good quality as the toyota brand name belt?

also, with the water pump quickly approaching 100,000 miles would it be a good idea to replace it? I know they can last much longer than 100,000.


any help/advice is helpful.

Regards,

JOET/CAMRY

[BlueFusion6851]

I would spend $41.71 on the new timing belt if it's from toyota, then you have no doubt that it will last a very long time.

[rimfire,22]

Originally Posted by BlueFusion6851

I would spend $41.71 on the new timing belt if it's from toyota, then you have no doubt that it will last a very long time.

BlueFusion6851,

Man where you get your timing belt?! Over here in California the Toyota timing belt is a couple hundred bucks so if you can get it for the price you mentioned mo power to ya! Tomorrow my Camry goes in for service and they're gonna pull the cover off and see what's going on under neath there. I'm planning to change the belt AND shaft seal anyway. Why, when I only have 21,000 miles on it you don't wanna know.

imfire,22

[RIP]

JOET $41 for a timing belt isn't outlandish but, you can get them for $20-$30 just about anywhere. If you don't want to go with a Toyota part just make sure it's a well known brand like Gates or Goodyear and you'll do fine.
> As for letting the belt go another month or two with cracks in it. In a word - DON'T. I would change it right away. It's liable to break at just the wrong time and get real ugly. Another thing to consider is do you have a "non intereference" (aka freewheeling) or "interference" engine. If it's an interference engine, when the belt breaks the pistons will strike the valves as they descend creating lots of big bucks damage. Keep this for future reference: http://www.gates.com/downloads/downl...older=brochure Scroll to your car and engine. If there's a little * next to it, it's an interference engine. If you've got the 4cyl 3SFE you're ok but, you still need to change the belt asap.
> As for the water pump I go by the old "if it ain't broke don't...". I do my own maintenance so it's easier for me to make that decision. If it broke soon after I changed the belt it's just time and effort and the cost of a pump. If I payed to have it done I'd double the labor costs. Flip a coin. Life goes on.

Rimfire22 When you say $200 for a belt you must mean with the labor to change it. Otherwise, I hope it's gold plated. I know California has a high cost of living but wow. I'm in SoCal. Got an oil leak do ya? Toyota makes great cars but, humans ARE involved.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by RIP

JOET $41 for a timing belt isn't outlandish but, you can get them for $20-$30 just about anywhere. If you don't want to go with a Toyota part just make sure it's a well known brand like Gates or Goodyear and you'll do fine.
> As for letting the belt go another month or two with cracks in it. In a word - DON'T. I would change it right away. It's liable to break at just the wrong time and get real ugly. Another thing to consider is do you have a "non intereference" (aka freewheeling) or "interference" engine. If it's an interference engine, when the belt breaks the pistons will strike the valves as they descend creating lots of big bucks damage. Keep this for future reference: http://www.gates.com/downloads/downl...older=brochure Scroll to your car and engine. If there's a little * next to it, it's an interference engine. If you've got the 4cyl 3SFE you're ok but, you still need to change the belt asap.
> As for the water pump I go by the old "if it ain't broke don't...". I do my own maintenance so it's easier for me to make that decision. If it broke soon after I changed the belt it's just time and effort and the cost of a pump. If I payed to have it done I'd double the labor costs. Flip a coin. Life goes on.

Rimfire22 When you say $200 for a belt you must mean with the labor to change it. Otherwise, I hope it's gold plated. I know California has a high cost of living but wow. I'm in SoCal. Got an oil leak do ya? Toyota makes great cars but, humans ARE involved.

Hello RIP,
Your right. $41.00 isn't alot of money for a toyota brand name timing belt. I will probrably buy from the dealer. I never replaced one before but am going to give it my best shot. It shouldn't be that hard to replace. I do my own maintenance on my car also, but changing a timing belt is a first for me. I have a haynes manual for my 89 camry so as long as I follow the steps I should do ok.

I'll have to think more about the water pump replacement. a new one from the dealership sells for $108.02 not including tax. I'm sure the aftermarket ones are alot cheaper at auto zone,napa,advanced auto,pep boys, etc. but I don't know if the quality of their water pumps would be as good as the toyota water pumps. I wish the camry water pump wasn't driven by the timing belt. it makes it such a pain in the ass to replace. I've replaced water pumps when they were located in the front of the engine.(easy to get to) and the job went smoothly.

if the belt breaks the engine wouldn't be damaged. I have a non- interference engine. 3sfe 4 cyl.
Thanks for responding.
Regards,

JOET/CAMRY