Water pump cap alternatives

[stockmax]

So here is the quick version of the story:

I was taking my girlfriends parents for a ride in the FJ40 that, despite their encouraging words, they believed would never leave the garage and about a mile away form the house the cap I used to cap off the water pump port exploded.

Today as it is parked outside my office, I noticed a bit of fluid on the ground and suspect the same thing is failing again.

Any alternative ideas? I was thinking a piece of radiator hose and a large bolt with two hose clamps?

 

[kurtnkegger]

Why not just get the right water pump, and install it? Looks like you have the pump for the oil cooler, which you most likely don't have since it's capped...or if you do have the oil cooler...hook that up.

 

[stockmax]

Why not just get the right water pump, and install it? Looks like you have the pump for the oil cooler, which you most likely don't have since it's capped...or if you do have the oil cooler...hook that up.

I ordered from CCOT using a gift certificate and they did not have that one available (indefinitely). If money were no issue that is the way I'd go, however, in the real world, that's not going to be a possibility.

 

[DSRTRDR]

I have been told the plug can still be had from the dealer

 

[Steamer]

Those generic rubber caps from the discount auto parts places are usually junk and degrade pretty quickly. Even for vacuum lines they have a short life. Maybe not the best looking remedy but the heater hose and bolt trick will hold up much better.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I'll trade you that one for the correct one if you want. It is likely you can get the correct one from Toyota too.

If you're going to stick with that pump, I'd find a copper pipe cap or a piece of aluminum round stock that fit inside that port and cement it in place with JB Weld.

If you wanted to take it off you might be able to thread it inside and put a proper pipe cap inside it.

Any solutions that involve rubber are going to be temporary and a permanent weak link.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I just installed this water pump from the dealer. It's for a 2F, no oil cooler, direct drive fan. It was $165.

Do it right or do it twice.

 

[platypusREX]

Could you change the thermostat housing to a oil cooler type and run a hose to the pump?

 

[Pighead]

I plugged that hole with the sender for my Autometer water temp gauge...
Essentially the same as a few inches of heater hose, a large bolt and 2 hose clamps.

 

[Spike Strip]

You have to run a length of proper-size heater hose and plug the end. Some people put a temp sender in the hose for aftermarket gauge... That cap you used is for plugging air openings.

Opps - posted while pig was posting...

 

[Fast Eddy]

Could you change the thermostat housing to a oil cooler type and run a hose to the pump?

Not a bad idea. I've got one of these too. Click my parts link.