Water Pump Longevity for 2.4L Tacoma?

My 2003 Tacoma has 92,000 miles on it. I replaced the belts and hoses at 60K and will do it again at 120K. I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to replace the water pump and thermostat also while I'm replacing the belts.

I'd like to know what your approximate odometer reading was when your Tacoma water pump failed, if it indeed it HAS failed yet.

Also, how long do timing belts usually last on Tacomas?

 

Pretty sure the 2.4 uses a timing chain.
They usually last a long, long, time. 200k or so.

Most people don’t change a water pump until it leaks.
If I were intent on changing it for maintenance purposes, maybe by 150k?
It really depends on the drive style and conditions.

Thermostats are about the same, when you have cooling issues, or the pump is replaced.
Good advice is at/or before 100k. But I don’t know many people that do, me included.

It will not hurt to change them, just make sure to use quality parts.
With the emphasis on QUALITY.
If your doing all that, might as well throw on a new radiator cap too.

 

They’re not known to fail. I’ve seen a few with the original still kicking at 300k. My corolla had 600k before it’s pump started making noise. Typically they’ll leak before anything. To be safe I’d probably think 150k is fair game. But but OEM or AISIN. Other aftermarkets typically are trash

 

On a 3.4 with the rubber belt, seems like people replace the water pump while in there, maintenance calls for the belt at 150,000kms. My water pump failed at 135,000kms so I did the timing belt too. Truck was 19 years old.

I wouldn’t worry about the water pump, if you did an Aisin replacement. Mine looked really good after it came off, may have been fine but the factory sealing failed as far as I could tell, they don’t use a gasket, looks like some kind of RTV was all that was there.

Search timing chain for advice on changing that on a 2.4, from what I read they last a long long time. I know nothing about the 2.4.

 

Mine 2003 2.4 had close to 250k miles before I sold it and I believe it still had the original water pump and thermostat. The little 2.4 2wd truck ran great, never had any overheating issues

 

If not leaking I'd save the water pump for when you do the timing belt (if you have a belt and not chain). The whole timing belt with water pump kit which also includes a new idler pulley and tensioner is just under $200 at rockauto - with Aisin pump. When I replaced mine at 160K miles it still looked great. I kept the old parts in a box just in case I ever need them in a pinch.

 

Mine was still good at 205,000ish, replaced it since I had it all apart anyway. Looked great.

You definitely have a chain.

 

2.7 engine (pretty much the same as 2.4) 335k miles 26 years still original pump and thermostat. I'm not going to "fix it" if it ain't broken.

 

180k on my 2.4 and I've done a starter. Anything else I did was just preventative or required maintenance: brakes, fluids, filters, batteries, bulbs, and tires.

 

Look at when do you estimate hitting 120k or how many miles/year are you currently running. Projecting that out, when would you hit 180k in years? Think you'll still own the truck then?

Do you wander far from home? Do you have a way to drag it home if it fails? Or capability for a road side fix?

Answers matter in your decision. If it were mine and a keeper, I'd change it. Easy and cheap.

If you'll sell in the near future, let it ride.

 

I'm putting around 9,000 miles on it annually. So, I'd hit 180K miles in about 10 years, maybe 12 yrs.

I'm age 72 and the original owner. It suits me well so I'll probably keep it as long as I'm still able to drive. I guess when it hits 120K I'll do the belts and hoses again, and install a quality water pump.

Thanks for the advice!

 

The problem is an Advanced Auto NEW pump in no way compares to a 200K Toyota pump. 325 on mine, and I wouldn't change it. I have changed my coolant every two years for twenty years though

 

My 03 with a V6 had 187,000 miles when I sold it in 2013. Never changed the timing belt or water pump.

Currently have a Honda as a DD. It's 14 years old with 215,000 miles on it with the original timing chain and water pump.

My 2012 Tacoma has 95,000 miles with the original timing chain and water pump.

Just saying.