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Replacing water pump tomorrow -- thermostat, too?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by KJ Fitz, Jun 1, 2022.

  1. KJ Fitz

    KJ Fitz Junior Member

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    I got the code for the water pump, ordered a new Aisen (OEM) pump from rock auto for $210 vs the dealer "discount" price of $705. Sheesh. Interesting that they scraped off the Toyota logo.

    Since it looks like they're adjacent, and I'll have to replace coolant anyhow, I ordered the thermostat and housing as well. Two questions --

    1. Should I even bother with a thermostat at about 75K miles? Looks like it's quite a hassle.

    2. Does anyone have a decent video link? One I found was just badly explained, to the point I don't
    quite trust the guy, another was so poorly lit I couldn't see anything.

    As always, thank you for any help you can render.
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It is funny how many people will post both things, that Aisin makes the pumps for Toyota, and that you can also buy the Aisin pumps with the Toyota logo ground off, but without wondering how the pumps are sorted into the ones that are sold to Toyota and the ones that get their logos ground off to be sold in other channels.

    I suppose it's possible they just flip coins.
     
  3. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    interesting thought, never crossed my mind /
    even at amayama the ones with the Toyota logo are significantly more expensive /
    I wonder about the sorting criteria (tolerances, performance....)
     
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  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    LoL; Those are called factory manufactured defects that don't pass Toyota QC - ergo Toyota logos are ground off. The manufacturer isn't going to throw it into the trash; they sell them as factory seconds; they work - but don't meet OEM QC specifications. It baffles me that people don't seem to understand or care about this. Then they claim the car is a piece of sh**t, and don't understand why the replacement part failed in a few days, weeks, or months.

    Sorry; climbing down from my soap-box now.......:((n):whistle::giggle:
     
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  5. Noahdoge

    Noahdoge Active Member

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    I would not install that water pump from rock auto. I’ve read many horror stories about those water pumps with the ground off logos having multiple issues and failing way too early. These water pumps with the ground off logos did not meet Toyotas QC and are being sold at discount. Not worth the few bucks saved that could result in $3000 head gasket problem.

    Buy from a legit dealer. Currently $196
    https://parts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-engine-water-pump-161a029015?c=Zz1jb29saW5nLXN5c3RlbSZzPXdhdGVyLXB1bXAmbD0yJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHMmYT10b3lvdGEmbz1wcml1cyZ5PTIwMTImdD10d28mZT0xLThsLWw0LWVsZWN0cmljLWdhcw%3D%3D
     
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  6. KJ Fitz

    KJ Fitz Junior Member

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  7. KJ Fitz

    KJ Fitz Junior Member

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    Now, THIS is helpful, thank you! Had my dealer asked $196 rather than $705, I'd have bought it on the spot. I was just about to go out and install it, but will look into whether I can return this to Rock Auto and buy from McGeorge. Thank you for the link!
     
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  8. GuamKelly

    GuamKelly Member

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    Success! I was able to arrange to return the Rockauto order and place one with McGeorge Toyota.
    I'll keep them on file for my future needs.

    Thank you to all who pointed out the failure history of the part with the Toyota Logo removed, and
    especially to member noahdoge for turning me on to McGeorge Toyota. Had my local Toyota
    Dealer (who has a captive market, being the only one within thousands of miles) not wanted
    3 1/2 times what McGeorge charged me, I'd have bought the part from them in the first place.
     
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  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's odd that the water pump failed at 75,000 miles. Maybe the impeller just failed.
    Check ebay, the impeller for about $40....

    Perhaps sellers are getting failed water pumps and only replacing the impeller???
    Too bad Toyota won't sell them.

     
  10. KJ Fitz

    KJ Fitz Junior Member

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    If I'm going to fool with it, I'm perfectly happy to pay for the whole pump assembly.
     
  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Can you provide a link to an impeller? I can't seem to find any on ebay, I only see complete water pumps.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Copy/past this:
    For 2010-2015 Toyota Prius Engine Electric Water Pump Magnet 161A0-29015
     
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  13. nate358

    nate358 Junior Member

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    Maybe I'm clueless or just a risk taker, but my head gasket blew with the Toyota branded factory water pump. I would have ordered a new water pump from the Toyota link above, but I didn't know about it and I got a new one from Rockauto instead. I've had it for months sitting in its box and now it's probably past the return window. When not if the head gasket fails again, I'm either get rid of the car or putting a Gen4 engine in it like I should have done this time.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  14. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    How does the impeller fail?
     
  15. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Either the blades break, or the magnets swell and bind so it won't turn as fast.
    Or, as you're easing the pump back in place, you drop it and break the ring for the blades.....
    Like I did....

     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That will be applicable for sure, if you haven't cleaned the EGR system.
     
  17. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It will be if Mendel's right about that, anyway.

    What's the EGR flow number, and how do the passages in the intake manifold itself look?