Leak

[kendonald]

Hi,

Recently noticed a leak in radiator so used rad weld. Everything went fine for a while until a couple of days ago and noticed temp gauge nearly on red. Stopped the car and topped up later. I am losing all water in expansion tank after a trip of 16miles. Have noticed water coming out of little hole in casing near water pump near belts. When I top water up I notice a constant flow of water coming from engine/water pump area (different area to one little hole I mentiond earlier). Believe it may be lower down than the water pump. When I first start up and drive with water around belts, one of them slips which I believe may be steering one. I am not moving car at mo until I plan a cause of action. Phoning garage in morning but live in new town so new mechanic.

Feel I need some knowledge before speaking to him/her.

No frothy stuff in oil. No obvious oil in water, both pipes from radiator are getting warm one earlier than other as expected. Thought of air lock but run vents on full for 5 mins and done nothing.

I think might be water pump? Could it be? If water pump needs replacing is it worth getting anything else done whilst mechanc has it!

Hope thats clear

cheers in advance

[gazza1286]

The water pump will be your problem. It is an tricky job and will take an experienced mechanic around 3 hours +. The part is relatively cheap at £30 but the labour will push the total cost to £175+.

If yours is the pre VVTI I would change the timing belt at the same time. The additional labour is less than 30 mins and the part is only £20. The coolant loss will have been onto this belt and could cause problems.

Your radiator needs a 're-core' This is £65 at a specialist raditor repairers. Re fitting is 1hr labour.

Your coolant will need to be replaced - Toyota 'for-life' will cost £30. (you will get 5 years from this). Standard ethenol is £10 and will give you 2 years protection.

All in I would expect you will have to fork out £350 MAX. If they want more your being ripped off. A toyota dealer will want £650+

[Black Knight]

When you say you're seeing a leak are you actually seeing water run out of the hole?

Put it like this, there's a little hole in the casing on the pump to allow any condensate getting past the seal to get out of the casing rather than getting into the bearings. If all you're seeing is some crystalised coolant around the hole rather than an actual dripping from it I'd leave it alone.

Assuming you've a VVTi version changing the water pump is actually a pretty easy job.

1. Make sure you clearly understand aux belt routing (sketching route is a good idea)

2. Remove belt (19mm ring spanner on the welded hex on the tensioner body to give you some slack)

3. Place bucket/catch tray underneath the engine or drain the coolant system before hand. From memory it's 5 and a bit litres to fill the system. That should give you some idea of the container you need.

4. Undo the water pump bolts (5 or 6 from memory) and remove the pump. If you didn't drain the coolant system you'll dump some into the bucket you put underneath

5. Refit the new pump (you might as well put a new o-ring whilst you're at it) being careful not to nip the o-ring with the bolts to approx 10Nm

6. Refill the coolant system with any lost coolant (make sure you don't get any air locks)

7. Refit the belt to the sketch you made before again using a 19mm spanner to give you some slack

8. Start engine to make sure everything is together properly

Personally if a mechanic took much over an hour to do that job I'd be asking questions why

[kendonald]

Not sure what the pre-WTI/WTI thing is but its a 1997 avensis 1.8cdx.

[kendonald]

Not sure what the pre-WTI/WTI thing is but its a 1997 avensis 1.8cdx.

Done it was water pump problem. New timing belt water pump and few other misc jobs £300. Happy with that especially as it was a quick in and out job.

Cheers 02 sensor next!!

[gazza1286]

You have a Pre-VVTI model. What is called a 'Lean-Burn Engine'. Good for some things no so good for others.

Unfortunately the Toyota Avensis Oxygen Sensors for this engine are pricey And you MUST use a genuine part. Copies (or universals) aren't acceptable.

These sites supply the one you want:

http://www.lambdasensor.com/

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_LB1037.html

Did that price you paid include the 're-core' on the radiator?

You may think that it's pricey but the VVTI models have several sensors!!

[kendonald]

You have a Pre-VVTI model. What is called a 'Lean-Burn Engine'. Good for some things no so good for others.

Unfortunately the Toyota Avensis Oxygen Sensors for this engine are pricey And you MUST use a genuine part. Copies (or universals) aren't acceptable.

These sites supply the one you want:

http://www.lambdasensor.com/

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_LB1037.html

Did that price you paid include the 're-core' on the radiator?

You may think that it's pricey but the VVTI models have several sensors!!

No not included the sensors although he gave me a print out on what ones. No that price didnt include a recore just a few jobs for mot coming up.

cheers