Water Pump leak...

Depends upon which pump you are talking about. It's probably the engine coolant pump. Take a look at the pump pulley. Can you see a pinkish stain of coolant on the pulley interior? If you can see that, then that's likely the pump in question.

If you are an "inventive noob" with prior experience changing an engine water pump, you'll find this a reasonable task. You can buy the pump for $70 (incl the gasket) plus shipping here:
Champion ToyotaWorld

Changing the pump is relatively easy. The hard part is getting air out of the engine coolant loop because of the coolant heat recovery system canister. If you do a complete job and drain all coolant, then you'll get to figure that out, or see this: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...shooting/30813-changing-engine-coolant-5.html

If your odometer reading is relatively low, you might get away with just draining the engine coolant via the radiator drain plug, without draining the canister itself. That will make it easier to get air out of the system.

If you decide to drain the entire system you'll need two gallons of Toyota SLLC to refill, costing ~$22 each. While you are at it you probably should replace the serpentine drive belt, which will cost ~$20.

Might be worth your time DIY to save ~$200. I would do so.
Good luck.

 

Just curious, how many miles on your prius?

 

Your "leak" is probably normal behavior, actually. If it's a
small pink crust on the outer rim of the water pump pulley and
a small spray on the hood-liner, with no drop in level at the
overflow tank where you top up coolant, then there's no need
to change the pump. The system operates under pressure, and
a tiny bit of fluid almost invariably weeps past the pump shaft
seal, but it's really, really tiny. As in not worrying about
replenishment for 50,000 miles tiny, as I've found mine to be.
.
_H*

 

The coolant pump on our 2005 was diagnosed with a leak just before it hit 60,000 miles last fall, and it was replaced under warranty. I'm guessing you have more miles than that, just thought I'd mention it in case you don't.

 

It seems that they can go at 60K. Mine was replaced at the 60K service before I brought the car. I have no idea whether this was because it needed to be done, or whether it was replaced as part of the final warrenty period service.

 

Hi All,

Took my car in for the CHS (Coolant Heat Recovery System) pump squeal, and they did that pump and the engine water pump, too. There was a coolant stain line drawn on the inside of the hood on my car. But no visible drop in coolant level. This was at about 48 K miles on the car, after 4 1/3 years of operation. This was all covered under waranty repair.

 

If mine goes at those kind of mileages, I will be putting in a USA made aftermarket pump with lifetime guarantee from a discount auto store. Something is wrong if the seal can't last over 60k, it is just un-Toyota like to not have the best lasting water pump rather than probably the worst.

I haven't delved into the pump drive, if it is tensioned by a spring or manually. It could be the belt is over tensioned from the factory, and stresses the bearing in the water pump.

Oddly, the Yaris is reported to be the most reliable of any car by CR, and uses I believe the same basic engine block and water pump.

 

Well, my 2004 has 100K miles and there's no sign of leakage from the engine water pump. The serpentine drive belt is tensioned manually.

The engine water pump, being a mechanical device, is subject to some failures over time. Based upon forum reports, it doesn't seem like the failure % is particularly high (compared to HID headlights for example.)

 

If it is a small leak like some pink residue on the weep hole area, then no need to replace it. If you observe water marks or puddles underneath the car after parking over night, then it is time to replace the water pump.

 

There is a Technical Service Bulletin on this issue. See http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...-you-have-squeaky-chs-water-pump-new-tsb.html

 

Hi JEG,

Nope. We are talking about the traditional engine water pump on the side of the engine away from the transmission.

I brought my car in for that very TSB (had to give them that very number), but then they did the CHS water pump, and the engine water pump, also.

 

mmm. So the Prius has two water pumps then? The traditional engine one and the one for the Hybrid system?

All I know is that a Water Pump was replaced at 60K, because of what is stated on the vehicle history print left with the handbook etc by the Lease Company that owned the car before me. This records services, tyre attention and the water pump. The code LKG was confirmed as standing for Leaking when I rang them up to check what it mean't. I take this to be the traditional one.

 

Actually, I don't think the UK model has the coolant heat recovery system (pumps the coolant into a thermos on shutdown, then back out into the engine on start up), so yours doesn't have this one. There is another small one for the inverter coolant I think in all priuses.

 

North American 2G Prius have four coolant pumps:

1. engine coolant pump
2. heater core pump (to circulate coolant when the engine is off)
3. inverter/transaxle coolant pump
4. coolant heat recovery system pump (to move coolant to and from the CHRS canister.)

Your UK Prius has the first three pumps.

(If you are counting all pumps that can move water, don't forget the windshield and hatch glass washer pumps.)

 

While changing oil on my 2004 in January I noticed fluid dripping fluid from in front of the right front tire and thought I had a radiator leak. I took it in and they told me it was the water pump. Just over 70K miles.
For the do it yourselfers, the pump was $118 and the labor was $235. Running great again.

 

My pump started leaking at 51000 miles. Good news fixed under warranty. Bad news this is early for a pump to fail.

 

I had a similar problem with a 2004 Prius, 120000 miles. I had no trouble until the dealer serviced the car - exchanged all the coolants, etc. That same day the MIL came on and indicated high coolant temperature - could not use AC or cruise control. Now he says the water pump (not the inverter coolant pump) has a very tiny leak and needs to be replaced for $370. Is this reasonable or what should I do?

 

Ask to be shown this leak. Once you are satisfied that the leak is present, then you can either authorize the repair or call around to obtain other price quotes.

 

Thread revive!

I wonder if the dealers are aware of the this? Perhaps their changing pumps that are still good? My dealer said I needed a new engine water pump, however, I have no signs of leaks and the water level appears to remain full. I know the water pump is crucial and I may just have a new one installed as cheap insurance for the motor but this does concern me. What do you guys think?