2012 Sienna water pump issues.

[LeakySeals]

Question about a dealer repair. My GF's dad's 2012 Sienna had a rattling water pump. Repaired at the dealer a month ago under the 100k powertrain warranty. It was leaking coolant from day 1 after that repair. i told him to watch it. Seemed to settle down. But.. Nope, was slowly running out of coolant. Today it got hot, he limped home and I went over to check it. no coolant. Almost all gone. So it was towed back to the dealer. They took responsibility, stating an "oring was broken during water pump installation". currently fixing it. just curios what that might be, something that was part of the water pump?

 

[ls1mike]

The o-ring is replaceable. I assume in this application it seals it to the block or wherever it pumps water to and from.

Looked at some pictures, it looks like it has a gasket, either way if they pinched it or tore it, it would need to be replaced.

It looks like it may have an o-ring for the thermostat.

 

[The Critic]

I've done these before - it is a tight-ish job to do the water pump r/r without dropping the powertrain. The o-ring probably shifted out of place when the pump was installed.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I usually use a dab of RTV in a couple places to help hold the O-ring in place so this doesn't happen. Glad they are taking care of it!

Looking at a picture of the pump on Ebay, there's a smallish O-ring that seals something for the water pump-- Looks like a traditional flat gasket, but there is an o-ring as well.

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by LeakySeals
It was leaking coolant from day 1 after that repair.

 

[KrisZ]

The bigger question I would ask, how severely did the engine overheat? I would get something from the dealership in writing that would cover a head gasket replacement several months from now.

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by KrisZ
The bigger question I would ask, how severely did the engine overheat? I would get something from the dealership in writing that would cover a head gasket replacement several months from now.

I see this reccommended all the time but is it feasible? Why in the world would they agree to that?

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by KrisZ
The bigger question I would ask, how severely did the engine overheat? I would get something from the dealership in writing that would cover a head gasket replacement several months from now.


*The tech should have vacuumed the cooling system down right after the water pump was installed, This WILL catch a small leak.
*On the other hand....The owner/driver IS responsible for keeping the vehicle full of fluids.

Success is hard to achieve when you burn the candle from both ends

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted by LeakySeals
Question about a dealer repair. My GF's dad's 2012 Sienna had a rattling water pump. Repaired at the dealer a month ago under the 100k powertrain warranty. It was leaking coolant from day 1 after that repair. i told him to watch it. Seemed to settle down. But.. Nope, was slowly running out of coolant. Today it got hot, he limped home and I went over to check it. no coolant. Almost all gone. So it was towed back to the dealer. They took responsibility, stating an "oring was broken during water pump installation". currently fixing it. just curios what that might be, something that was part of the water pump?


So, and don't take this wrong way but If it was leaking from day 1 why would you tell him to watch it and not take it right back? Why run a 6 year old car with tons of life in it with a coolant leak if you know they just went into the system?

The dealership didn't know it was leaking. Your GF's dad did. He should have taken it right back. Proper fluid level is the responsibility of the owner.

How long did he drive it like that?

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted by ls1mike
Originally Posted by LeakySeals
Question about a dealer repair. My GF's dad's 2012 Sienna had a rattling water pump. Repaired at the dealer a month ago under the 100k powertrain warranty. It was leaking coolant from day 1 after that repair. i told him to watch it. Seemed to settle down. But.. Nope, was slowly running out of coolant. Today it got hot, he limped home and I went over to check it. no coolant. Almost all gone. So it was towed back to the dealer. They took responsibility, stating an "oring was broken during water pump installation". currently fixing it. just curios what that might be, something that was part of the water pump?


So, and don't take this wrong way but If it was leaking from day 1 why would you tell him to watch it and not take it right back? Why run a 6 year old car with tons of life in it with a coolant leak if you know they just went into the system?

The dealership didn't know it was leaking. Your GF's dad did. He should have taken it right back. Proper fluid level is the responsibility of the owner.

How long did he drive it like that?

We did go back once for more coolant. He's deaf so I have to talk to them on his behalf. At that time the assumption was a bubble and some left over leaking from the job. few days later I saw more fluid in his spot. We opened the hood and looked, still full. Then no more driveway leaks so assumed it was ok. Must have changed the way it was leaking so it was doing it on the road, not in the driveway. I did offer to look a few times after that, but classic stubborn old dad doesn't want some kid (I'm 55) under his hood.

 

[LeakySeals]

It took all day but they say its fixed. Saved the part to show the tech that did it. They think it happened squeezing the pump in without engine removal, something like that. They evaluated the engine, said its ok. A few free car washes and out the door.

 

[SatinSilver]

Had the water pump replaced on the 05 Matrix right at the 60k mark. I checked the overflow tank after the repair at the dealer and it was on the full line. Checked it again the next day and it was on the LOW mark. Took it back and they filled it up. Has been fine ever since and that was 80k miles ago. My dad was the same way with his cars. He would take most of my advice but not all of it.

 

[ls1mike]

Glad they fixed it for you.

I know about stubborn parents. Makes all the sense in the world now!