Most reliable water pump brand?

Hey TW
I need to replace my water pump and timing belt because my water pump was leaking antifreeze. I was told there’s a better than not chance my timing belt was also damaged.

I replace all that stuff an 80,000 miles ago. I don’t know what brand it was because the mechanic that worked on it ordered the parts, but I would expect something as simple as a water pump to last way longer than 80k!

What brand should I order this time to ensure longevity of service?
Should I pay the extra $$ for Aisin, or is there a super reliable replacement out there that isn’t so pricey??

I’m hoping to order a full kit with the pump, belt, and everything else included but I’m not sure which one to go with.
Also, is there anything else I should replace while it’s all disassembled to avoid future repairs?
My truck is an 02’ sr5 4door auto 4wd 3.4L With 280,000 mi.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Nobody here is going to have that kind of data. Get the Aisin.

 

I bought a water pump from the dealer for an 06 2.7 and it was about $80. It's not very much for a good quality car part when a $30 water pump might not last and leave you with a tow bill and a repair bill. Buy once, cry once.

 

You are correct in thinking a water pump SHOULD last longer than 80k miles. If that was an OEM pump, I would consider it an anomoly, many folks get 200k miles without leaks from an OEM water pump, Aisin makes the water pump for Toyota.
If it's an aftermarket, non Aisin made, water pump than I would consider 80k miles par for the course or even better than par for the course.
There are couple sellers on eBay that put together the full OEM parts kits or if not labeled 'Toyota' OEM, the parts are made by the same manufacturer that makes it for Toyota.
'Aircabinman' is a seller name that comes to mind from here on the TW.
DO NOT LET YOUR 'MECHANIC' INSTALL AFTERMARKET PARTS AGAIN ON YOUR TACOMA, especially engine components. Some things the risk is okay to take on aftermarket parts. Engine timing kits are not one of those things

 

Excellent info! Thank you
I always try to replace engine and drivetrain parts with Toyota original. However due to Covid BS money is tight.

What else should be replaced while doing this?

 

You don't need new accessory belts right? You did those belts 80k miles ago? Shoot, if he installed a cheapy water pump I wonder if the other stuff was similar as well? Hopefully not.
Do you have any oil leaks at all? Reason I ask is the cam seals and crank seal is most accessible to replace while one is doing the timing belt/water pump job.

 

Anyway, you have this kit from aircabinman for OEM parts. He had another kit thats like 40 bucks less and not OEM but is parts from OE manufacturers, so likely as good as OEM.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Piece-3...Manufacture-Parts/180729034728?epid=660147462

 

I do have a small oil leak. I may look into doing that also.
Thanks!

 

Watch the Timmy the Toyotaman video on the timing belt replacement and what I did is also replace everything in there, including the seals he shows you how to do.

 

Awesome Sauce!!

I just ordered the whole $300 kit. Should be here in 4 days.

Thanks Cruiserguy! That’s why I love TW!

 

I watched that video and it is very detailed and in depth.
Thanks a ton for the tip!
It may be a little beyond my skill set, but I may attempt it with my father in law.

 

+1 for the Aircabinman kit. I generally advise against buying critical car parts from Amazon/ebay, but his kits are the real deal; all OEM. I got that kit when I did my timing belt a few years back.

 

How much $$ should I expect to pay a mechanic shop to install that kit?

 

Depends on shop rates where you live. Here in Socal a timing belt job (labor only) can go anywhere from $500 - $1000+ (dealer price). Add another $200 - 300 for a kit if you're getting an OEM one.

 

Good to know!
I ordered his full oem kit for $300
Eagerly awaiting its arrival

 

I'd recommend new from Toyota. I have 414,000 miles on my original water pump.

 

Probs what I'll be doing in another week as well - let us know how goes!

 

Price, Quality, 90% of the time you get to pick just one. Go OEM. Aircabinman is who I used and I filled in some missing parts I wanted to replace from Toyota. Idler pulleys I think and something else...been a while.

I paid $700 for the install at Toyota. I would have done it myself but she's my daily. I didn't have the time for all that.

 

not a bad price for labor. she was my dd, weekend rec for quite some time - I def neglected this part of the operations for too long. I been giving her some good tlc past buncha mo's, knew I needed to inspect this area of mechanical, but didn't think it had already gone (probs b/c I did not change the fluid at least once in past .... well, many yrs lol. So yeah, I went w/ the Aircabinman set-up on ebay, & since I am not working at present (semi-retired by choice (jokingly)) I will be doing it this time around ... and Finally have a garage in which to do it (if I could just get rid of the in-law's temp storage sooner that'd be even better lol)

 

When you can take it to the dealer and it costs under $1000 to replace timing belt, water pump, thermostat and some seals. OEM for the Win