1989 Toyota Camry Water pump

JAYCEE777

MEMBER
1989 TOYOTA CAMRY
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
300,000 MILES

I was driving locally and noticed the car was overheating very quick. The car normally doesn't have this problem, it just happened literally overnight. It went to the red section, so I called out my RACQ and they said its the water pump and that I need it replaced. They said it would cost around $400. I asked a local mechanic, they said I would need the timing belt changed at the same time. Two questions is. 1. Could I change the water pump myself? 2. If it needs a timing belt too, can I do that myself also? With getting the timing belt changed as well, it will cost $780, the car was brought for $500. Sad to say I am a woman, this is why I want to know if its something I could attempt at home. Thank you.

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

The water pump is driven by the cam belt and replacing the belt at the same time is not uncommon, this is not a difficult job but there are some critical timing marks that must be set up or engine damage will result, you will need to un do the large nut on the front of the engine that holds the front pulley, this is extremely tight and is often very difficult to remove, if you have a work shop manual this will give you step by step instructions with pictures of all the operations that need to be done, get a manual and have a read up first, then decide if you have the tooling and the expertize to do this critical job.

Mark (mhpautos)