Engine Water Pump

[cew]

Hello,

I've recently purchased a 2008 Gen 2 Prius from a used car dealership affiliated to local Toyota garage (i.e. part of same dealership group but not directly from Toyota with no Toyota associated warranty etc).

At the 70k service on the visual safety report a problem has been picked up that I'd be grateful of some advice on whether to repair or not. VSR states 'Engine water pump slight coolant weep - advisory'. I've spoken to dealership whom advise that they would not recommend replacing it at present but simply checking coolant levels once/month and topping up as necessary. I questioned whether the pump could be replaced under the 8 year/100k warranty on hybrid system but they said since it hasn't actually failed it wouldn't. The same applied with regards to the 3 month warranty from the garage we purchased car from which specifies the water pump as a covered item against mechanical/electrical failure. However again since not actually failed they say it wouldn't be replaced under warranty.

It may be I'm worrying unnecessarily but I'm concerned leak could get worse unexpectedly quickly resulting in serious problems for the vehicle if it overheats.

They've quoted £294 to replace pump. My theory is it's going to need replacing sooner or later anyway so may as well get it done now, although slightly miffed neither warranty covers it. That is unless this is a commonly encountered problem that goes on for many years without causing an issue.

Any advice would be great.

[cootuk]

personally I would replace it as soon as you can afford to simply for peace of mind.

There are two coolant pumps - the normal ICE one, and the inverter coolant pump. Only the inverter is covered under the hybrid side warranty.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Isn't the coolant pump a recall issue? I believe it might be in the US, so worth checking here.

The Toyota website has a page for checking recalls. Worth a shot - it can only say not.

http://www.toyota.co.uk/owners-info/recall-checker

[timberwolf]

Known problem. It wouldn't be covered by warranty after 3 years/60,000 miles as it relates to the petrol engine.

See below, an independent garage that serves mainly the taxi trade in the USA.

http://lusciousgarage.com/blog/comments/gen_2_prius_leaking_water_pump/

I do wonder though if they have never caused an over heating problem why they need replacing?

[Duffryn]

Why issue an 'advisory' if nothing needs attention? If it was me, then I'd make a fuss at the the garage who sold it. Surely if it's weeping then something's not doing it's job properly ie. it's failed to carry out it's function, which would include being watertight.

Garage is probably hoping it'll hold together whilst covered by the 3 month warranty.

[orangezorki]

A slosh of coolant is not exactly what I would call a high-traction surface, so I understand why you want to get it replaced.

If it is a known fault, and the car has a FSH, perhaps a polite request for Toyota to at least contribute might get you somewhere...

David

[Joseph D]

At the 70k service on the visual safety report a problem has been picked up that I'd be grateful of some advice on whether to repair or not. VSR states 'Engine water pump slight coolant weep - advisory'. I've spoken to dealership whom advise that they would not recommend replacing it at present but simply checking coolant levels once/month and topping up as necessary.

I had exactly the same thing and received similar advice. As I was not in a position to immediately Shell out the £294 to have it fixed, I elected to keep an eye on it. I never needed to top up coolant between services, and in subsequent services it was not mentioned on the VSR.

I would go with just keeping an eye on the coolant level and if you find you need to top up the radiator, I'd go ahead and have it fixed as and when you can afford it. As someone has also said, you may want to replace it in any case, just for peace-of-mind.

HTH.

[Awebb180]

The seal in the middle of the pump can leak slightly. The rule of thumb is if the area around the pump and block is dry with pink/white residue then it would be advise and check periodically. If the area is wet to the touch and the build up crumbles off the it is leaking.

Alex