During a routine brake inspection, my dealer told me that I need a new water pump based on a small area of dry "pink cotton candy" accumulated under the pump. Of note, my coolant reservoir has not changed its level in the last 6 months, nor are there any active leaks visible under the vehicle or on the skid plate, nor has my water temp gauge changed its position when operating.

There is a TSB and a Toyota TIP bulletin on this issue, stating that a small amount of congealed coolant around the water pump seep hole does not necessarily mean it is failing.

Would love to read your opinions if you have had experience with this issue. By the way, cost to replace the water pump, serpentine belt and labor is over $1K at this dealer.

I would hold off on replacing it. I believe it's common around the weep hole.


https://www.flowkoolerwaterpumps.com/info/common_waterpump_failures.html

 

Times 2 on what JMS said. Sadly its a common problem that a lot of them do leak. Mark the coolant level in the overflow bottle and as long as it doesn't start to drop, leave it. Mine was leaking to the point it had to be replaced but it was still under warranty. And that was at about 25k miles.

 

Ditto here. Common problem. When I had my 2008 (have a 2016 now) the water pump and serp belt had to be replaced at 10,000 miles. The explanation I got at the time was that there was a bad batch of water pump gaskets on the 2008's. Mine was covered under warranty, but if I recall correctly, the cost would have been $600 (back in 2009) to replace the pump and belt.

You can probably milk it for a while, but you'll eventually have an expense there. $1,000 seems steep to me.

 

How many miles on it? If it is close to the 100,000 mile mark, wait and do it with your timing belt. Was the $1,000 for a water pump and serpentine belt, or a water pump and a timing belt?

 

I thought the 08 was a chain not a belt and does not require replacement

 

It is very common to have a pinhole leak. My 08 Tundra had one noted around the 90k mark (with the 3 subsequent oil changes noting the same pinhole leak). I didn't have to change it until 110k when it was more than a small leak.

And yes, the 5.7 has a timing chain not a belt. I did inquire about changing it and the dealer said they recommend not changing it ever, unless some kind of one in a million manufacturer defect makes it necessary to change it. The 4.6 and 4.7 are timing belts that still need to be changed at the usual 90k-ish mark.

 

The 4.6 and 4.7 are timing belts that still need to be changed at the usual 90k-ish mark.

No, the 4.6 (1UR-FE) also has a timing chain. From the 2010 Model on there haven't been any Gen2 Sequoia's produced with timing belts.

 

My 2008 failed at approx 108K. Had a pretty high quote from the dealer for the water pump and serp belt around $800 I think. Did it myself in about 4 hrs on a Saturday, Pretty straight forward replacement.

 

I had a leak at 72000 miles and changed it myself. Its not hard, but takes some time. Just be careful putting the radiator back in not to snap off the overflow tube. I broke mine and ended up using steel putty and safety wire to reattach it. I wasn't going to spend $$$ for a new one when mine worked fine. No problems since.

 

Its been 5 months and the level of coolant in my reservoir has not changed, nor have I noticed any more cotton candy under the pump...continuing to watch and wait.