Q: Water pump failure....how could it have been prevented? 2004 Toyota Sienna

asked by on January 17, 2017

is it worth it to replace the water pump, or is too much damage done to the engine already (driving those 5 min)...sm amt of white smoke rose out from under the hood....did NOT attempt to restart the car...although the tow truck did & it started, drove out of driveway, to tow truck, Is there too much damage to the engine??? also have some sm amt of valve rattle????

My car has 125000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What is the key number?
A key number will be given to you with your set of keys. This number can be used to produce an authorized duplicate key. Write down the number and keep it somewhere safe, but outside of your vehicle. Tips You...
How do I adjust the height of the seat belt?
Before driving, it’s important to adjust the height of the seat belt so that it is at a safe height. To raise the height of the shoulder strap, slide the belt adjuster upwards to the desired position. To lower the...
Bad clutch
If the clutch is slipping, then a new clutch will most likely need to be installed. The flywheel will need to be inspected and possibly machined, if there are gouges or hotspots. You may want to enlist the help of...
Metal wheel broke in half and belt laying on top of it..
I can tell you that this is fixable. Without seeing this in person I am unsure which pulley has caused the failure but I would think it is either the water pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-water-pump-pulley) or tensioner pulley (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-drive-belt-tensioner). I can only...
Car won't start - 1998 Dodge Durango
The starting troubles you are having are likely related to your battery or your starter. You will want to start by jump starting the vehicle. If this works, the battery was drained. The battery then may just need a good...
Why does the car stop suddenly?
This may be related to a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at...
P0011
Hi there. It sounds like you have a fault in the camshaft position sensor circuit. This fault could be the sensor, the wire harness, the connector, the ECM, or even a mechanical condition. You'll need the manufacturer's specifications for the...
My starter clicks but won't turn over.
Prior to performing diagnostics be sure you have a fully, 100% charged battery that passes a load test (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-is-dead-inspection). Confirm that the engine immobilizer system (security system) is not activated thus preventing the car from starting. If the immobilizer system...
Vdc light slip light wants to stall when push the gas
The near stalling when you push the gas pedal is a consequence of the air fuel ratio being off as the throttle admits more air to the intake. The causes of the "wrong" ratio lie somewhere in the fuel delivery...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Pizza Delivery Guy or Gal
If If you deliver pizzas, you want to be sure that your car is reliable and won’t break down. After all, you have hungry customers waiting, and you don’t want the pizza to get cold. You want low gas mileage,...
How Long Does a Water Pump Last?
The engine in your car produces a lot of heat, which means that the cooling system in your car will need...
Top Automotive News & Stories – September 3-9
This week's top auto news: Ford's 3D printed future, Dieselgate guilty plea, Toyota Supra prototype spied, LaFerrari Aperta on the road, and more.