Change water pump preemptively?

[Deontologist]

2018 rav4, 175k miles

No issues other than a serpentine belt squeal. Just a chirp on acceleration. About 6 months ago, the mechanic told me he thinks it's the tensioner, just told me to hang on and wait until it gets worse. The chirp has gotten worse and I will get it formally diagnosed and repaired in the shop soon.

Wondering if I should ask the mechanic to go ahead and replace the water pump as well while he's overhauling the belt system. Seems like a good idea. Not that the car is overheating, or even losing coolant. But with so many miles, it's one of those "might as well" things, right? Looking for your opinion. Thanks.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

only if the water pump is a common failure item in a given car, or if you're doing it as part of a timing belt job (timing belt cars often have the water pump driven off the TB)

Also, unlike most things in a car, the water pump actually gives you a warning: it will start weeping. So, if you see coolant dripping from the water pump, it's time to consider replacing it.

 

[Mewbs]

If the water pump is within reasonable reach and have enough time for a small weekend garage project, don't really see the harm in doing so. In an industrial environment, preventative maintenance is a common occurrence. In which machines get serviced have common wear parts replaced before they reach to a point of catastrophic failure that can cause expensive downtime.

 

[TomYoung]

Absolutely change it. There is nothing to discuss here.

 

[JeffKeryk]

With the belt off, spin it to check the bearings. If it is a relatively job, a fresh pump and antifreeze ain't a bad idea.
Just make sure to use the best pump you can get your hands on.

 

[JMJNet]

Are you sure it is not just the serpentine belt?

 

[drtyler]

At this mileage, yes I would probably replace the water pump. But I would only use OE Toyota or Aisin for water pump and belt tensioner.

 

[vavavroom]

I would replace it. Get the best quality pump available.

 

[clinebarger]

Still young age wise...I wouldn't worry about it. Change the coolant instead.

 

[Furious]

Toyota/Aisin water pumps rarely fail, they typically go 300,000 miles without an issue assuming the cooling system is maintained. With that being said you can purchase an OEM pump for $60 on Rock Auto so the choice is yours.

 

[21_6.7f450]

Change the coolant. Leave the pump. My reasoning is even if you go with another Denso,it probably won't be half the quality of the OE factory pump. In today's market, you'd be lucky to get 100k out of a replacement. That pump could go 400k. Change your coolant so it doesn't get acidic and erode the seals letting coolant get to the bearing. It will be short lived if that happens.

 

[eljefino]

Check every driven pulley when the belt is off, you might have issues with the alternator or AC compressor you don't really know about yet.

I don't replace OE parts with what's out there now, unless I have a good reason. And that includes "service replacement" parts from the dealer-- even they aren't necessarily as good as OE.

 

[350Rocket]

only if the water pump is a common failure item in a given car, or if you're doing it as part of a timing belt job (timing belt cars often have the water pump driven off the TB)

Also, unlike most things in a car, the water pump actually gives you a warning: it will start weeping. So, if you see coolant dripping from the water pump, it's time to consider replacing it.

My truck has had 2 replacements in 260k so far. First one weekend. The second one the bearing got noisy.
I would check for weeping or bearing play before going on a long trip. Putting a new one on before a long trip could put you at risk of a defective part failing in the first few thousand miles.

 

[John105]

If the water pump is within reasonable reach and have enough time for a small weekend garage project, don't really see the harm in doing so. In an industrial environment, preventative maintenance is a common occurrence. In which machines get serviced have common wear parts replaced before they reach to a point of catastrophic failure that can cause expensive downtime.

I think sometimes folks’ logic is there is somehow a cost savings. More often than not when a shop does it there is not. For a shade tree sometimes it’s a matter of giving up a day to do something so do as many things at the same time. I don’t think a water pump necessarily equates to being part of a tensioner job. Imho the water pump often requires careful torquing and sealing and checking for leaks, whereas a tensioner is a one and done. I know with my LS it was cheaper to buy the whole assy than one individual wheel (1/2). But it wasn’t possible to replace the entire assy easily maybe the alternator shared a bolt can’t remember.

We’re fortunate to be able to afford to replace things prematurely when one thinks about it, but I’ve been trying to get out of that habit. The exception again is when there is significant labor doing something that can be applied to that other part. My .02 ymmv

 

[Donald]

I see no reason to change it until it shows sign of failing. It's 2 minutes to take off the serpentine belt. Not the same situation as when the belt is driven by the timing belt

 

[ka9mnx]

The 4Runner, in my list, is a pain to replace (all day job for me). My other vehicles are external and easy to inspect.

When the 4Runner gets a new timing belt, it gets a new water pump and thermostat.

 

[cptbarkey]

Absolutely it is a maintenance item. You probably wont see it in a owners manual because its beyond a typical owner's ability.

My guideline would be: domestic at 60k, foreign 90-100k.

 

[SHOZ]

I've never had a water pump go bad.

 

[kschachn]

I've never had a water pump go bad.

Clearly you have not owned an older BMW.

 

[SHOZ]

Clearly you have not owned an older BMW.

I avoid German Engineering.