porkchop

Is it possible to change the water pump on a 3.4L without removing the timing belt? I have a 1999 4Runner Sport w/supercharger that has the water pump shaft doing a little wiggle from a slight front end collision. My Chilton manual says that you need to remove the timing belt to replace the water pump. Is this so? If so, would you guys recommend I replace the belt or put the old one back on. The 4Runner only has 51,000 miles on it.
Thanks in advance!

(yes I did search for this)

eric-the-red

If you're going to all that much work there is no point in reusing the belt. Just take it off and put a new one on, they're only $50 or so. If you try and do the pump without removing the belt you may damage it, and having to do it all again if it breaks will not make you happy.
I think the recommended replacement for the belt on a 99 is 60,000 miles anyway.

rathead

Ditto, but my '99's belt replacement was scheduled for 90k, I think it was the first 90k interval year.

BruceTS

That's not your water pump doing the wiggle......... your probably talking about where the fan clutch is, different shaft.

toyota_mdt_tech

No, but you dont have to remove as much. But the belt will need to be taken off.

Maj

As BruceTS mentioned, if the shaft that your fan is mounted on is wiggling that ain't the water pump. The Toyota 3.4 is different from many engines in that regard since there is no fan on the WP itself. The fan bearing is pressed in a housing that, I believe, is replaced as a unit. Anywho, it is MUCH easier to replace than the WP. No special tools, crank-holding apparatus, tensioner compressor, etc is needed.

Q-DawgVFR

Ditto the above. If you DO need to do the water pump, definately do the timing belt as well for the measly $50 it costs you. You are doing all the same work anyways, so you might as well use a new belt and then be able to avoid doing it (timing belt) again that much longer!

porkchop

Thanks. As a couple of you stated, I need to take off the fan clutch and run the motor to see if the shaft still has a wiggle to it. I was reading my manual and was a little overwhelmed at what needed to be removed to do the water pump. Is there any way to tell, other than visual, if the pump shaft is bent? I was thinking a dial indicator. Or am I gettin too far ahead.... I know I need to get the fan clutch off first.
IF it is the clutch, should I buy just that, or should I buy the fan too? Any suggestions about parts?? Toyota, or some place like Napa?

toyota_mdt_tech

There is no reason for the water pump shaft to be bent. The itme you see with the fan bolted to it isnt the water pump, just a fan idler bearing. Water pump is driven by the timing belt. If you need to take it apart to inspect it, then replace it. And do a thermostat at the exact same time. Use OE parts.

Q-DawgVFR

Yeah, the water pump is hidden behind the metal timing belt cover piece which the fan pulley bearing is attached to. So as stated above, it is very unlikely that there is a problem with the water pump, unless the fan idler / timing belt cover has been broken or pushed back into the water pump pulley. And if that is the case, I would think it will be obvious when you look down into the front of your engine.

Q-DawgVFR

Oh, and as far as telling if the water pump shaft is bent, you could probably do it by pulling back the upper timing belt cover a little (carefully) and start engine. You should be able to shine a light down just far enough to see the water pump.

I did this when looking for my coolant leak a while back.

porkchop

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help! I just wasn't looking at the parts breakdown close enough. After your explanation it makes a lot more sense. I guess I need to buy some parts and tear it down. I'll definitly check the idler also.

leonardator

if you can see that the water pump shaft is bent w/o tearing down the front of your engine, then you have a bigger problem than anyone knows about, or you're just looking at the fan clutch like bruce said.