The 2GR-FE V6 in the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Lexus ES and RX can develop a leaky water pump. What to look for and the price reports we have.
Toyota's 2GR-FE 3.5 V6 is in a huge number of cars: Camry, Avalon, Highlander, RAV4 V6, Sienna, Venza, Lexus ES 350, RX 350 and more. It's a solid engine. The water pump is one of the few things that comes up.
Signs
- Pink crust or residue on the passenger side front of the engine, near the pump
- A sweet coolant smell after driving
- Coolant level slowly dropping
- A grinding or whining noise from the pump bearing (less common)
Toyota's pink coolant leaves a pretty obvious crusty trail. If you see it around the pump area, get it looked at before it becomes a bigger leak.
The job
How much has to come apart depends on the car. A transverse install like a Camry or Sienna is a different job from a Lexus IS or GS. Shops replace the pump and gasket and refill with the correct Toyota coolant. If the drive belt or idlers are tired, now's a good time for those too.
Our price data is thin
Two reports. One is an owner's summary of the typical shop quotes they got (with dealers at the top of the range). The other is a labor-only price from a former Lexus tech, with the customer supplying parts. That second one is cheap for a reason, so don't use it as a target. We'd love more numbers on this one.
Ask about
- Genuine Toyota/Aisin pump or aftermarket?
- Does the price include Toyota coolant?
- Should anything else get replaced at the same time (belt, idler, thermostat)?