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Waterpump replacement?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dubbfoolio, Apr 1, 2013.

  1. dubbfoolio

    dubbfoolio Junior Member

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    Hello, I brought my car (2008 Prius Gen II, 122k) into the dealer for electric water pump and steering pin recall services. Needless to say they came up with a laundry list of overpriced service recommendations totaling almost a grand for a car showing no serious symptoms (I can replace my own wipers, thanks). The one they pushed hardest was the replacement of the leaking water pump. I've read some seepage of coolant is normal, is this true? Here are the pictures they sent and I verified that this slight buildup of the dried coolant is on the pulley. But the coolant level is fine (maybe too full actually), and the pulley feels firm (no play or movement at all). Is this leak bad enough to necessitate replacement? Or should I just monitor it for a for a few weeks. Thanks for any help or advice!
    [​IMG]
    Second picture.. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be seeing here.[​IMG]
     
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I would monitor it until 150k miles when you need to refresh the ICE Coolant (The Inverter coolant should have been refreshed as part of the recall, I assume that you did both coolant refreshes at 100k miles as per the owner's manual.). Then change out the ICE coolant pump at that time as a preventative measure, That is what I did at 150k miles in my 2004 Prius.

    JeffD
     
  3. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    No. Coolant should never seep from anywhere in your engine, nor should any other fluid for that matter.

    What you may have read is that a small amount of seepage does not necessitate an immediate (and potentially costly) repair. This is true, but you have little to gain by postponing repair.

    One cannot say when a small leak turns into a large one, but it is guaranteed that a large leak will put your car on a tow truck, and possibly with more damage than just a water pump.
     
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Well I am one who procrastinated replacing the water pump, and right now holding tight at 120k miles. Mine leaked at one point around 70-80k miles. I realized the antifreeze fluid level was low, and bought a gallon of the special Toyota fluid, and filled up. Now not leaking.

    Many folks replaced these water pumps under extended warranty, but I did not have one.
     
  5. Master GunsU

    Master GunsU New Member

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    OK... My extended warranty ended 8,000 miles ago and I took my 09 in for the recall on the steering rod... yep they said I needed to replace the water... if I did it right now they would give me a 10% discount and charge me $325... I don't like that only if you do it now stuff so I said no thanks... I called another dealer and asked how much to replace it and it was and they said $299... so much for do it now....

    My question is should I replace the belt at this time and what else should I do at 110,000? I do allot of freeway driving and have some steep hill climbs... I put 25k a year on the car and I am not gentle on the throttle unless I want to make up the mileage. So far I've done only the routine maintenance... any help for a crusty old jarhead????
     
  6. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    If you are going to keep the car for another 100k miles it would make sense to replace it now and benefit from a somewhat lower probability of pump problems. If you are only going to keep the car another year or two, you could just keep an eye on the pump. The common failure mode seems to be a slow leak starting instead of sudden failure.

    If the belt show no signs of cracking on the drive side, it should be OK for awhile too.

    That said, if the Toyota Maintenance schedule calls for earlier replacements, those items are a good places to pay attention to the maintenance schedule.
     
  7. onlyea

    onlyea New Member

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    I have exact same problems 3 months ago first time dealership asked me to get it fixed for $345. I said no, now 3 months later still runing fine without problems. I made few trips between houston and Baton rouge no problem.

    Now due oil change and recalls they asked me again about it. i think i will go ahead and fix it myself.


    I heard many people had trouble with bubbles in system after changing it. I don't think I would have trouble with belt , but can't find much of information about changing engine water pump.

    I will see if I can make video for you guys.

    I anyone knows what exactly I suppose to buy. There is many brand and options on engine water pump.

    i have 2007 prius
     
  8. onlyea

    onlyea New Member

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    Well, after crying little bit to dealership they gave me $50 off on $400 bill. Didn't wanna take risk of bubbles and headaches. At the end $35 oil change, $300 pump/belt change //// $346 all together. Plus free recall repairs on electric water pump and steering wheel coupling.
     
  9. techntrek

    techntrek Member

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    I'm experiencing the same thing as the OP. Took it in for the inverter pump & steering recalls, asked for an oil change since it is in there (I usually do it myself or have a local mechanic do it). I was impressed when the intake person didn't try to talk me into anything extra and even suggested I not do a few things I asked about. 105K miles so I was expecting them to push for a bunch of stuff. I had reviewed the maintenance schedule so I knew what was coming up and asked if I should just do the spark plugs now (due at 120K). Nope, don't worry about it until then. Ok.

    Someone else called me this morning with a long list of must-have-nows. First thing up was "3 millimeters left on your front brake pads, you need new rotors too".

    Wth! I just pulled my front wheels 2 months ago to check these very things and - as everyone else has said around here - the Prius just doesn't eat brakes like my other cars. The pads looked very thick and hardly any wear on the rotors. This really ticked me off.

    To the point that other things she suggested like getting the engine coolant and air filter replaced I turned down. I know it is due but they aren't getting my biz after a plain lie like that. Its going back to my regular mechanic. Oh they tried saying it needed new wipers all around too, nope, I just replaced them a few months ago! Grrrrr.
     
  10. onlyea

    onlyea New Member

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    My understanding , some of the dealers really try to make money of you so hard. They see general prius drivers older 45-65 age range people or ladies who don't know anything or people who don't know anything about hybrid and afraid to mess things up.

    Should try few different dealer before decide any repairs on prius. Repairs always changes dealer to dealer.

    my wife's prius 120,000 miles and still has plenty brake pads. She does drive rough too.

    i think they are trying to get you spend more money.
     
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  11. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

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    Yes, "some". Which means that there are honest dealers out there. So you're really not telling us anything here... besides the fact that English is a hard language for some people to grasp.
     
  12. techntrek

    techntrek Member

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    Yes there are all kinds of good shops and bad shops, just like there are polite people and people that make rude comments.
     
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  13. onlyea

    onlyea New Member

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    I wasn't trying say anything new.

    Whatever
     
  14. txtabby

    txtabby 2011 Prius 4

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    Quit crying about how ppl write! I took my 2007 in, with 90k miles, they say evidence of 'wet leaking'. They explained what wet and dry leaking is. I'm planning a trip to Dallas soon and didn't want a repeat of what happened to my Saturn when its water pump went out (on the Fourth of July weekend as well). They also said the belt was cracking, it was they showed me, so I had them replace both. $401.00 including oil change and tire rotation. My dealer is pretty straight up, so I know they won't give me the run around. Glad I brought it to them instead of Midas for 'just' an oil change and tire rotation.
     
  15. Rick12Player

    Rick12Player Junior Member

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    man, I wish I was getting those prices... two dealers near me (DC/NoVA) want $500 for this.