This evening when my wife pulled into the drive her 4 runner (with 88k miles) was making a different noise at idle than I have heard. I pulled it into the garage to see if I could see where it could be coming from. When I crawled underneath it I noticed that there was a fair amount of water coming from the drivers side right around the oil filter. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing the noise and water dripping?

 

The water pump is where I would start.

 

you have the timeing belt replaced yet ? if not now would be a good time

 

There is also a coolant hose that runs to the oil cooler in that location. I had to replace mine about that mileage.

 

Well I ran it by my friends shop today and he said he was positive it was the water pump. I am dropping it off to him on monday for a new water pump and timing belt. Thanks for the help.

Justin

 

at 88k miles? Really? my 4runner had the first one changed at 131k

 

Mine was changed at 60K which I believe is Toyota Recomended...
Though Stepdads wasn't changed till 120K when he had it in for an over haul before our trip to VA
(We were going to do towing and such so while his was in the shop, I was in the driveway getting fluids changed putting in my K&N and making sure everything else was checked so I could tow the trailer and take the dog so they could have room for there stuff, since i would be the only one in my rig....which was very nice)

But back to topic...
I do believe every 60k is toyota recommended...

 

The timing belt interval is 90K miles.

 

YotaFun and Bighead are actually both right. The story is that when Toyota first came out with the 5VZ, the timing belt durability was such that it required a conservative change interval of 60k miles and thus that was what was recommended in the maintenance schedule. As technology for the belts improved, the recommended mileage was extended to 90k miles. Thus if you change your timing belt today, you can now safely use the 90k mile interval (unless your vehicle was made between 96-98 and you are still on your first timing belt somehow or it was changed duing that period).