started out with an oil change....ended up with a new water pump

So I took the easy way out and went in for an oil change, front and rear diff fluid change, and to buy spark plugs (no way I am paying labor for spark plug change....) *I live in an apartment, so fluids are a whole different story....* After waiting 2.5 hours the service writer comes in and says, "Bad news, your water pump has a leak and needs to be replaced....good news is that its under warranty." While they were in there they put in a new belt also. While I am not uber pissed (due to the warranty covering the parts/labor) I would like to know why my water pump went bad at 39,000 miles!!! Its a Toyota, I got this baby for the long haul, whats up with this!? On a happy note, they did a floor mat recall and gave me brand new rubber floor mats. To end the day I went home and changed the plugs, a feat in itself due to the tight spaces and everything you have to take off. (Thanks to Chirs4x4 for the directions) I also took off my anti-sway bar and am very happy with the results. There is more body lean, but nothing too major. Overall better ride quality, some more down travel, etc. Don't jump me about the safety issues, I know them and understand them. I drive like a grandma and treat my truck like a lifted truck, not a sports car. Anyway, thoughts on the water pump?

 

The water pump was under warrantee...and it was free??

Then.....what's the problem?

Even if they were making up some shit and the water pump didn't need replaced.... as long as you don't have to pay for it - no biggie.

 

Waterpumps are prone to leaking, it should not be a reflection on the quality of your truck. Its just a simple rubber seal that failed, its not like your truck vomited gears on the floor or anything. Nice looking rig though!

 

It's a Toyota (for gawd sake) - it shouldn't be leaking at 39,000 miles.

 

Calm down. It's a piece of metal. Out of the millions that they produce there will be a few bad ones.

 

I'm calm...

So, why did you buy a Toyota?

Just sayin....

 

I didn't buy it for it's name. It was the right size truck that I was looking for and it's the best looking, in my opinion. Mechanical parts are bound to break/leak. Every auto manufacture has this problem. Something simple like the water pump doesn't really discredit their reliability.

 

That's because they changed over to plastic everything. Toyota went down the drain 6-7 years ago.

 

i'm impressed that they looked around the engine compartment for any other potential issues..

 

I am still confident in the truck! LOL at the vomit gears on the floor, nice mental image. Thanks.

As long as its covered, I have no problem, just a simple WHY... I know parts are prone to have problems, but this would have been over $300 if I had to pay out of pocket, and Uncle Sam doesn't exactly give me tons of money to play with...

I did not, and wish I did just for my own knowledge and future reference. I am confident that a dealership isnt going to perform work they dont have to, esp warranty. (Its my understanding that warranty work doesnt pay the same as other work...I may be wrong though.) Either way, Ill be asking to see next time.

Me too, I've had pretty good experiences with this dealership in the past. (However, their svc writers dont know JACK about the Tacoma and its individual components. They act like they dont know what a throwout bearing is, why Im not concerned with a front end alignment (told them i was about to get uniball UCA's, Icon C/O's, Rims and tires and he looked at me like I had a dick on my forehead.... BUT I am like you, I'm glad they caught this and took care of me. Props to the mech.

Side note: I was in no way implying that I think my Taco is crap, or that I am pissed about quality, just wondering if this is an issue....like the throwout bearing, or leaf springs, or any of the other 2,000 quality issues we have with Toyota. I still love Toyota, but their quality is NOT what it was 10 years ago, and you will not convince me otherwise. On that note, it is still one of the best trucks on the road...all the other big names just suck compared to the Tacoma!!!!

 

OH and the service writer did a once around the truck and said,"this thing doesn't have many scratches to be an off desert runner..." WTH? I guess he wanted to sound like he knew what he was saying, all I could reply with was, the scratches come from the hunting camp; it hasnt been out west....and I know how to use a buffer and some compound....." I was at a loss for words after everything else. (Overall he was a good guy, just didn't know much about our rigs...)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_MUEQ9lY7c

 

HAHAHAHA perfect clip. (Ford=Made in Mexico, Toyota=Made in USA....I'm so confused right now!!!!)

 

I think Toyota's made in Japan are better quality than those made in the USA. Mine was built @ the NUMMI plant in Fremont CA. That plant is now closed. The quality doesn't measure up to my Japanese built Camry.

Does anyone know when Toyota stop making trucks in Japan? Just curious.

 

What are the benefits for removal of the anti-sway bar? I haven't heard of this mod. More body lean/roll at turns & compromise of emergency handling. I don't get it.

 

30% of the parts the truck is made of are made...? I wish I could convince myself they are all from Japan. 70% of the parts are made domestically. Jussayin.

Don't take my comment the wrong way, I <3 my truck.

 

I use to work at a motorcycle shop. One time a guy came in asking me for the oil that turns milky white when its time to change it! Haha...He was not happy to find out that meant he had other problems!

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/96155-do-you-need-sway-bar.html
and
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/75915-sway-bar-removal-review.html
and
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/126957-why-would-you-remove-your-sway-bar.html
and
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/100510-why-sway-bar.html

Search sway bar and you will get all kinds of good results. I personally like mine off, better articulation when off road, more travel, better ride, etc.

 

Wow. How did I miss that? Thanks Matt for the reply. I'll look them over.