How to replace the water pump 2011-2017 Toyota Camry

Chapter 1:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Turn off your vehicle’s ignition, set the parking brake, pull the hood release handle and open the hood.

Chapter 1:

Step 2/3

For safety reasons, we advise you to disconnect the battery.

Chapter 1:

Step 3/3

Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.

Chapter 2:

Bleed the coolant

Step 1/5

Get a fluid collection container to collect the coolant that will flow out.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/5

On this vehicle, the radiator is equipped with a bleed screw, which you access from the underside of the vehicle, on the driver side.

Chapter 2:

Step 3/5

Connect a plastic tube to the bleed port to collect the coolant directly in the collection container.

Chapter 2:

Step 4/5

You can then unscrew the bleed screw to let the coolant flow.

Chapter 2:

Step 5/5

To facilitate the flow of coolant, open the cap of the coolant expansion tank.

Chapter 3:

Remove the serpentine belt

Step 1/4

You can now see the serpentine belt which drives the water pump pulley behind which you will find the water pump.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/4

Using a 13mm offset wrench, loosen the belt by turning the serpentine belt tensioner clockwise.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/4

Meanwhile, remove the belt from the tensioner, then from the various pulleys.

Chapter 3:

Step 4/4

You can now remove the belt.

Chapter 4:

Loosen the water pump bolts

Step 1/2

In order to remove the water pump, you will need to remove the 7 pump retaining bolts using a ratchet and a 12mm socket.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/2

Some bolts may be difficult to access. You can access them from above or below the vehicle.

Chapter 5:

Remove the water pump

Step 1/3

The water pump is now free. However, it is often difficult to remove.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/3

You will need to pry it out with a big flat head screwdriver, or a small crowbar.

Chapter 5:

Step 3/3

You may need to tap with a hammer to release it. Remove the water pump.

Chapter 6:

Tips

Step 1/5

Be careful, when removing it, coolant remaining in the circuit will flow. Remember to position the liquid collector under the pump.

Chapter 6:

Step 2/5

Protect the entrance to the cooling circuit by plugging it with paper towels to prevent impurities from polluting the circuit.

Chapter 6:

Step 3/5

To avoid any risk of leaks, clean the water pump seal surface thoroughly.

Chapter 6:

Step 4/5

You can use fine sanding paper to remove the various residues from the seal surface.

Chapter 6:

Step 5/5

Clean the seal surface with compressed air and a cloth.

Chapter 7:

Prepare the water pump

Step 1/3

Get the new water pump.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/3

Everyone’s natural reflex is to take the water pump in hand and turn the pump pulley to check that this element is rotating correctly. But this is a serious mistake that can irreversibly damage the water pump.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/3

You need to immerse the pump in coolant, and to turn it around ten times. This prevents subsequent leaks, as the pump must never run dry.

Chapter 8:

Install the new water pump

Step 1/5

Take the new seal. Then put it in place on the new water pump.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/5

Roughly install a bolt to hold it in position when putting the water pump back in place.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/5

Get the new water pump, and put it in place. Roughly screw the first bolt back on.

Chapter 8:

Step 4/5

You can now screw in all the water pump retaining bolts until they make contact.

Chapter 8:

Step 5/5

Finish tightening the bolts in staggered order using a torque wrench.

Chapter 9:

Finalise the reassembly

Step 1/6

You can now put the serpentine belt back in place.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/6

Then you can rest your vehicle on the ground.

Chapter 9:

Step 3/6

Now you need to refill the radiator with coolant and purge any air from the circuit.

Chapter 9:

Step 4/6

The video also shows how to expel air from the circuit when refilling it.

Chapter 9:

Step 5/6

Reconnect the battery.

Chapter 9:

Step 6/6

Operation complete.