Toyota 3.5 V-6 Water Pump Weak?

[VaTom]

My wife's 2015 Toyota Sienna Van with 43,000 miles started making a somewhat loud rattling noise yesterday. Coming from the front of engine where water pump, alternator, pulley tensioners, etc. are located. Sounds like a bearing in one of these parts. Researched on line and a couple of people on various forums stated that Toyota (& Lexus) V-6's are known to have weak water pumps.

Anybody out there have any issues. Have an appointment on Wednesday with dealership. Water pump is specifically mentioned in and covered under 60,000 mile powertrain warranty so hoping that is it.

Sort of disappointed as we bought first Toyota based on reliability.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Could also be a belt tensioner making that noise. If the water pump is bad, it will "usually" leak. These are easy fixes if you have any basic skills, and a parts store person can generally diagnose these kind of things, and supply the correct parts as well to result in big $avings!

 

[wetdog]

If it is not hard to get to relax the belt from the tensioner and check the pulleys that it turns. Spin them and check for side to side wobble. Might find the one that is bad and save some time and money.

 

[VaTom]

Toyota V-6 water pump follow up

Took Sienna Van in today. Just got a call from dealer. Water pump is bad. 2015 Model with with 43,000 miles! Fortunately it is covered under 60,000 miles powertrain warranty.

If you have a Toyota or Lexus with 3.5 V-6 you may want to be alert. Had read on a Toyota forum that the water pump is weak on those engines. Never found anything else on line about it. Pump wasn't leaking just making a grinding rattling sound that was very noticeable at idle.

Disappointed as Toyotas are known for durability and that influenced my purchase of this one.

 

[Watchdog]

Took Sienna Van in today. Just got a call from dealer. Water pump is bad. 2015 Model with with 43,000 miles! Fortunately it is covered under 60,000 miles powertrain warranty.

If you have a Toyota or Lexus with 3.5 V-6 you may want to be alert. Had read on a Toyota forum that the water pump is weak on those engines. Never found anything else on line about it. Pump wasn't leaking just making a grinding rattling sound that was very noticeable at idle.

Disappointed as Toyotas are known for durability and that influenced my purchase of this one.

Since it was warranty work, it didn't cost you anything, right? Other than some time? It was free?

Any part on any brand vehicle can be defective or fail for any reason. Did you talk to the service tech or service rep and ask if anyone found a reason for the failure?

No reason to be disappointed in Toyota as a whole because of one early incident, in my opinion. That's kinda like saying you're disappointed in a new .45 Shield because you've had a failure to feed.

 

[VaTom]

Since it was warranty work, it didn't cost you anything, right? Other than some time? It was free?

Any part on any brand vehicle can be defective or fail for any reason. Did you talk to the service tech or service rep and ask if anyone found a reason for the failure?

No reason to be disappointed in Toyota as a whole because of one early incident, in my opinion. That's kinda like saying you're disappointed in a new .45 Shield because you've had a failure to feed.

You are right. No cost to me. Love the vehicle otherwise. Just gives me pause as I also have a 2016 Camry with same V-6. Strong, powerful engine and great mileage. Toyota dealership was nice about. Hope to talk with Tech tomorrow when I pick it up. Sounded like a bearing(s) went bad.

We went to Toyotas when we lost confidence in Subarus.

 

[S&WIowegan]

VaTom:

Funny you switched to Toyotas from Subarus. My wife did the exact reverse from Toyotas to Subarus which she loves.

Whatever floats her boat. I like my Chevy full-size truck.

 

[wetdog]

Good to hear it is something that is covered.

 

[LVSteve]

Well, at least your water pump gave some warning. The junk FORD water pump on my 2012 Jag XJ failed spectacularly on I-40 and trashed the motor. Cost the warranty company $32k for the failure of a basic $200 part that should be bombproof technology in this day and age.

Oh, and that was at 41k miles, and I've since discovered some died before 25k. Jaguar went through several redesigns and finally got it right on the 2015 model year.

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Im 64, been a auto tech for "most of my life". Nowdays I feel Toyota is the best thing going? It dosent really matter on certain mechanical things , as anything can fail at ANY time. At my age I have been in a lot of engines, suspensions, dash work etc. Built my share of drag cars, motorcycles. Stuff happens, not Toyota fault. I would be grateful the warranty covered it. Regards "Big E"