Preventive Maintenance Question

Advice please...2007 4Runner Sport V6 with 260K miles. A year or so ago, I bought a water pump, radiator, and hoses, planning to replace those items as preventive maintenance at my next coolant service. It's scheduled for 270K miles. But I have zero issues with the cooling system. What would you do (and why if you're inclined to say)? I guess the question is, better safe than sorry or if it ain't broke, don't fix it? TIA.

 

That's tough. I mean it's preventative maintenance for a reason, so something doesn't happen and just leave you stranded somewhere. I would assess how you drive your 4runner, do you take it out to remote locations often or just tool around town where a short tow to a shop (or your home) is available?

I did a bunch of stuff on my 4runner that even the shop doing other work was like.. ehhh this is something i'd look at in the somewhat near future. I said "get her done now" because i do family road trips up the 395 in Cali which is a more 'remote' freeway and i absolutely didn't want something breaking on me and my family in the middle of nowhere. If i just drove my 4runner back and forth to work, i probably would have held off on doing a lot of work and waited for something to show signs of failure, or actually fail.

 

Hose for sure if the one you have is still original or starting to crack. It doesn't take long at all.

Rest honestly it could leak tomorrow or could last another 100k who know. You bought the parts already I'd just do it.

 

If it's still has the original radiator in it at 260k, then replace it. Waterpump and hoses should be done every time you do the coolant service.

 

I'd just keep the old parts on-hand just in case you get duds, apparently aftermarket parts can be hit and miss now more than ever. Don't know about OEM.

 

Say what?

 

I'm assuming the coolant change interval is somewhere between 60-90k for the V6. 60k would be early, yes, I agree.

The V8, you do it when you do the timing belt at around the 90k mark. Good timing belt kits come with a water pump, since it has to come off anyhow. If I had a V6, I'd change the water pump at least every 90k as preventative.

 

4.0L water pump is serpentine belt driven on the outside of the engine so you only need to replace it when it fails. The 4.7L water pump is timing belt driven behind the cover. It's just easier to do it as preventative maintenance when you do the belt at a normal interval to prevent a huge tear-down when it does fail.

I'd do my coolant every 50k and the pump every other but that's just me and my experience turning wrenches.

 

Well I just did mine [and thermostat] at 170k; I also went ahead and swapped out the alternator considering I was already right there. With the radiator out....belt off it seemed a no brainer to include alternator. Far easier than doing later with everything in the way. Of course these things always fail at the worst times, so do it at on your schedule.....better than when on a road trip.

 

Got it. On a t belt driven water pump, sure. You do it with the t belt change. But I'm with Lost Woods on a fluid change in between...

 

Oh....I also changed ALL my idler pullies at same time with water pump.

 

Thanks to everyone who has chimed in. To clarify some items people have mentioned, I got the truck at 96K in 2014, apparently with original coolant. Current mileage is 260K and the following has already been done:
Replaced coolant
2019/150K (Valvoline Asian Red)
2021/218K (Toyota Super Long Life)

Replaced serpentine belt
2018/147K (belt only)
2022/235K (belt, tensioner & pulleys)

Based on the feedback here and elsewhere, at 270K I'm going to replace the radiator, hoses, water pump, and thermostat (have one, forgot to mention in original post), and I'm going to do the fan clutch too b/c why not while everything is apart. Did I miss anything?

 

Also a good strategy while you're in there. I've always kept an extra idler and/or tensioner on hand because they're one of those things that are easily replaceable but can leave you totally stranded.

 

I waver between "do it all while you're in there" and "if it aint broke..."
Definitely on the T belt driven stuff I've always done it all including the tensioner and cam seals. And usually I didn't know enough about the history of the radiator to feel comfortable leaving it as is. (and here in AZ you're always looking at your cooling system with concern) I think hoses would last a lot longer than I think they will but again... Arizona and anything rubber gives you concern.

I think I am going to wait for signs and symptoms on my current truck to do repairs but I will be doing some of the first fluid maintenance stuff soon-ish based on time, not mileage. I was fortunate to find this 2019 in Jan 2023 with only 10.5K on the odo and am just now coming up on 30K. I determined that it went into service in 7/19 so I'm just past 5 years now. But it's still 114 degrees here so it can wait til October and nicer weather. A couple of months won't hurt anything, though I will have to do the next oil change in the heat. (sigh)

I was going to suggest considering not doing the water pump and especially the fan clutch but when I price checked them I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable OEM pricing. So I guess, up to you and whatever makes you feel comfortable.

 

To paraphrase, what tipped the scale were people pointing out that it's better to do the work in your garage than to wish you had while you sit on a trail or freeway shoulder waiting for help. My litmus test is whether the item can strand me, especially since I often wheel alone in areas without cell service. For example, that's why I rebuilt my starter despite never having an issue with it.

I always planned to replace the cooling system items so the question was whether to do it now or wait. I'll just knock it out.