1993 FJZ80 water pump leak

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ahj83hayk

ahj83hayk

Joined
May 8, 2024
Threads
1
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15
Location
Mountain West
Long time lurker and reader of threads, first time post and LC owner.

I came from the 1988 4runner scene, full rebuilds on 22re’s and ROAR just about everything.

Picked up a 1993 LC and began my journey into the coveted world of the “cruisers”, my “new” cruiser has 380k miles and was once a beauty queen but now has a tramp stamp and dances at a seedy bar away from the lights and glam of 30 years ago.

I have began base lining the 80, first was a leaking water pump, picked up a new one from the auto parts store and 2 weeks later it was leaking from the same bottom bolt the “failed” one was leaking from, took off the new one removed the gasket and used “the right stuff” as a new system… low and behold.. leaking still and now worse. I ordered a Toyota OEM and waiting for it to arrive.. but if anyone can help me understand why the bottom bolt keeps leaking?

Some info, these cruiser have 2 alignment rings that captured the new water pump and aligns it into place, when I removed the newer water pump the second time to RTV it the ring came out.. no big deal right I just tapped it back?

Anyway, here I am waiting on a new factory pump and still can’t wrap my head around the fact that the original pump and the new pump has had the same symptoms.. an obvious water leak from the bottom bolt?

I have Inspected the pump housing and mating surface over and over again can’t find any burrs in the metal and remnants of old gaskets? Can’t understand why this is not sealing up?

Any suggestions?
 
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devo said:
Do you have the bolts positioned correctly ? Long on the right, short on the left.
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Hey! Yep, long bolts into housing and short into the left side and 2 bolts that sync up to the studs coming from the engine housing.

Some more info, after I took off the new pump and replaced the gasket provided and ran a bead of “the right stuff” water approved gasket maker, waited 3 hours after I torqued down the bolts I filled up the coolant and it immediately began a accumulating a drip on the bottom bolt that goes onto the stud. I started the motor and it began the water show from the bottom bolt. Would the ring that acts as an alignment guide that came off when I took off the water pump have anything to do with it? The guide sits in the machined slot in the housing of the pump but doesn’t go into any source the coolant would?
 
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Take the WP off and inspect the seal contact surfaces. Thread the bolts in without the pump installed and make sure they thread in straight. Next check the suspected leaking bolt well. Check to see that there isn’t a crack in the front cover.

Are you by chance over tightening the belt and damaging the seal? Did you by chance dry start the pumps? Did you flush the block and radiator before install? Rusty trash in the cooling system can chew up the seals..
 
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DIRTBIKEUSA said:
Take the WP off and inspect the seal contact surfaces. Thread the bolts in without the pump installed and make sure they thread in straight. Next check the suspected leaking bolt well. Check to see that there isn’t a crack in the front cover.

Are you by chance over tightening the belt and damaging the seal? Did you by chance dry start the pumps? Did you flush the block and radiator before install? Rusty trash in the cooling system can chew up the seals..
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Hey Dirtbike,

Didn’t even cross my mind to place the bolts in prior to installing to see if they are aligned!! Will do! Much appreciated..

When I had the pump off and applied the gasket maker the second time I spent an hour cleaning and wiping down the mating surfaces of both the pump and housing, as far as I could tell there was no burrs, visible cracks or warps.

I did drain the radiator, and because this was my third time with this pump issue the system has basically ran new red coolant, replaced, dumped than ran again with the subsequent installs.

Possibly on over tightening the belt, while I am unfamiliar with this new platform I feel confident in knowing not to over tighten, but could be a possibility.

As of now my new Toyota pump and gasket arrive tomorrow (Monday).. I will repeat the steps, dry fit the bolts prior to installing the new pump and gasket, inspect the bolt that seems to want to make throw it across the yard and see if there are issues with it.

Any guesses on why that bottom bolt is being an as$&ole?

Any advice if the machined ring that guides the housing is suspect in my little dilemma?

Thanks again!!
 
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take some pictures of the suspected bolt and water pump housing and lower bolt well. Post them up!



If the housing has a hole or crack into the bolt well, it will leak no matter how much sealant you use…why are you not using the provided gasket?

Also, how long are you waiting for the sealant to dry before you add coolant? If you slam it all together and don’t allow the sealant to dry, it will leak and blow out after the system builds pressure.
 
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DIRTBIKEUSA said:
take some pictures of the suspected bolt and water pump housing and lower bolt well. Post them up!



If the housing has a hole or crack into the bolt well, it will leak no matter how much sealant you use…why are you not using the provided gasket?

Also, how long are you waiting for the sealant to dry before you add coolant? If you slam it all together and don’t allow the sealant to dry, it will leak and blow out after the system builds pressure.
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Will post pics first thing tomorrow when the new WP arrives.

I did use the new gasket provided when I bought the replacement pump, but that also leaked.. I assumed it was a crappy gasket and that’s why it failed and opted to use “the right stuff” gasket maker..the cure time says 90 min… I believe I waited 3-4 hours before adding coolant to the system and seeing if it resolved my issue… long story short.. did NOT!

So, back to square 1.. this time with a Toyota WP and Toyota gasket.. hopefully this will resolve it.. if not.. looks like a new oil / timing chain cover is in my future.. assuming that the housing has failed after nearly 400k miles.. I wish Toyota would make stuff that lasts (j/k)

Luckily I have a brand new TRD tundra.. but man!! I love driving that 80! It just hits different!

Much appreciate for the wisdom.. will keep you informed.
 
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One more thing, are you ABSOLUTELY sure that’s where it is leaking or could it be dripping down from above and only LOOKS like it’s leaking from there.

Typically, if there is a suspected coolant leak, the use of a cooling system PSI tester is the definitive way to find leaks and check to see if they are correctly repaired
 
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DIRTBIKEUSA said:
One more thing, are you ABSOLUTELY sure that’s where it is leaking or could it be dripping down from above and only LOOKS like it’s leaking from there.

Typically, if there is a suspected coolant leak, the use of a cooling system PSI tester is the definitive way to find leaks and check to see if they are correctly repaired
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I am about 99 percent positive, the only other coolant service lines are above that go parallel to the front of the engine that sits right by the valve cover and they are definitely not leaking.

All other connections are dry.

I’m hoping it’s nothing more than an off the shelf water pump and crappy gasket that are failing and my problem will be remedied by a higher quality Toyota pump and gasket. I am not hoping that it’s a timing cover gasket, which is an absolute nightmare.
 
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ahj83hayk said:
I am about 99 percent positive, the only other coolant service lines are above that go parallel to the front of the engine that sits right by the valve cover and they are definitely not leaking.

All other connections are dry.

I’m hoping it’s nothing more than an off the shelf water pump and crappy gasket that are failing and my problem will be remedied by a higher quality Toyota pump and gasket. I am not hoping that it’s a timing cover that has cracked that houses the water pump which is an absolute nightmare.
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There are also o-rings in the tube at the top of the water pump that could be leaking.

IMG_6199.jpeg
 
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These truck just spit out non OEM equipment also I like to let the casket sealer cure 24 hours before putting pressure on it.
 
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So I took off the non-OEM water pump and re inspected everything.

Removed all “gasket maker” and felt along all machines edges. Nothing of significance found,

However, I removed the guide ring that had previously came out and dry fit lied the non oem pump and it was a much tighter seal.

I then placed the guide ring back on and once again placed on the pump and noticed a slight shimmy to the fit.

So, currently waiting on the Toyota pump to arrive, I will fit that pump with the ring and without the ring and see if the the non oem pump has a poor machined slot the ring slings over.

In the picture the ring is removed, I ran a small pick into the groove to see if some debris had made there way in, but it seems “clean” enough.

The picture is the bottom portion of the pump that I have had the leaks.

IMG_8309.webp


IMG_8308.webp
 
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I don't get what you mean by a "guide ring". I know you said yours was a '93 but are you sure it is a 1FZE engine? The water pump housing on mine does not look similar to yours.
20240219_094053.webp
 
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Irish Reiver said:
I don't get what you mean by a "guide ring". I know you said yours was a '93 but are you sure it is a 1FZE engine? The water pump housing on mine does not look similar to yours.
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Yep,

If you look at the boots at the 12:00 and 6:00 position there is a pressed sleeve called a “ring” or guide sleeve around the bolts that come out of the engine,

On mine the bottom sleeve has came out, they are placed there to line up gaskets and other machined parts.
 
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ahj83hayk said:
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Sorry meant to say bolts,

The bolts that are at approx 12 and 6 have sleeve that are pressed in, my bottom one has come out. With the ring out the after market pump lines up well and makes that thump when 2 metal items line up.

When I put the ring back into the slot then attach the aftermarket pump there is a slight shimmy, and the pump is not as tight as when the rind is removed

I am leading to believe that the crappy pump I got has a poor tolerance in the guide where the ring sits and doesn’t let the WO cinch up causing a weak spot in the gaskets I have been using.
 
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Irish Reiver said:
I don't get what you mean by a "guide ring". I know you said yours was a '93 but are you sure it is a 1FZE engine? The water pump housing on mine does not look similar to yours.
View attachment 3631449
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Also,

You are 100 percent correct.. mine does not look anything like that.

My old cruiser is moonlighting away from the lights of the Vegas strip in a seedy bar..

Yours is getting ready for the main stage!! Looking good man!!

😉😎
 
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