(2007) Replaced coolant and inverter pump 3 times in past year, still not lasting

Generally red import coolant and I can blow through the lines thru inverter usually easily. So I figure it out of flow ok. I guess it's only Toyoda pumps

 

Refreshing this thread as I seek help:

I recently bought a 2005 Gen 2 used. The inverter cooler water pump in it when I bought it was "squealing", but flow was obvious in the inverter coolant reservoir. This pump failed after ~ 1,000 miles; failure was indicated by no sound from the pump, no flow in the inverter coolant reservoir, and the red triangle light illuminated on the dashboard. I replaced the unknown brand pump with an after market pump from TRQ and rest the fault code. Note, while replacing the pump, only about 6 ounces coolant leaked from the hoses because I clamped the hoses. This TRQ pump "squealed" almost immediately after I installed it, though there was obvious flow in the inverter coolant reservoir, which I topped off with coolant. The pump died about 100 miles later; again, failure was indicated by no sound from the pump, no flow, and the red triangle light illuminated on the dashboard. TRQ sent me another pump. Same story, but this one lasted only 80 miles. So, I bought an "OEM' (advertised as OEM) pump from ebay. This pump didn't squeal immediately after installation, but then began "squealing" about 20 miles after I installed it. Again, there is obvious flow in the inverter coolant reservoir. Altho this "OEM" pump from ebay has not died yet, I expect it will die soon. Tomorrow, a real OEM Toyota pump will arrive by mail. I will use it when (not if) the current pump fails.

Other than the replacement pump manufacturers being other-than-Toyota, any ideas why all the aftermarket pumps have failed?

Could I be missing another issue in the system? If so, what?

 

yes, the aftermarket pumps are chinese counterfeits, designed to fail while still very profitable for them.

 

The squealing should be the pump running dry as it sux the coolant into it normal . Dieing not soo much . The Asian original now comes in a marked box Asian on box I cannot remember the part number right now but box looks nice not your typical red and white Toyota box this partis readily available.

 

Use oem and change the coolant every 50k and you will never change the pump again.

Story time:

50 years ago auto parts were American but rarely lasted 3 years or 36k miles. Lemon cars were routine as poor designs and out of tolerance parts badly mating to other out of tolerance parts would create new cars with problems. Rebuilt alternators sometimes took three tries. Water pump seals were the first to go, water pumps just leaked but did not fail to pump.

The Japanese and Germans came along 45 years ago and sold cars with parts that had tight tolerances and their reliability increased dramatically. Instead of three years you could get 15.

Toyota, Honda and Mercedes gained prominence in the US even though they all cost more than their GM, Ford or Chrysler competitors. Japan started offering "aftermarket" parts for less and they were usually better than US oem.

Ford finally reverse engineered a Mercedes, did a major redesign and were finally able to advertise "Quality is Job 1". GM took longer to get it; Chrysler never did until they were bought by the Mercedes group.

Meanwhile Nixon opened up China trade and they quickly dominated aftermarket parts by 2010. Their Quality Control (QC otherwise known as quick check) was almost nonexistent. Instead they relied on half price goods available everywhere with "Made in America" Walmart and later Amazon leading the charge to China made.

Japan still makes good parts for their cars, especially Toyota and Honda but the American owned dealerships mark them up at least 100%. Mechanics get a good discount, online Toyota dealers give similar discounts and Toyota offers further discounts several times a year around holidays.

 

The pump is not self priming. If it isn't filled up with coolant it will run dry for a varying amount of time until the bubble of air works its way out. While dry it could spin much faster than it should which could damage it. After replacing the lower hose dribble a little coolant slowly in the top port until it is full to displace that air. Or shake and squeeze the top hose after it goes on. Either way should get the air out of the pump itself, although not out of the system as a whole. Different pumps could take different times for the bubble to move out. I guess some could be so poorly designed that it can sit there for an extended period. If the impeller isn't in fluid when it starts the only things moving fluid would be gravity and vibration.

 

Please list all 3 vendors

 

Only correction: Chrysler NEVER became reliable. It is now one of the very most unreliable cars/trucks ever made in history, hands down. Beaten only by jaguar and of course Land Rover.

 

Funny, I didn't know Toyota sold OEM parts on fleabay

 

Unfortunately, eBay and Amazon auto parts advertised as "Genuine" or "OEM" are almost certainly counterfeit unless you can verify the seller is a bona fide Toyota dealer or authorized reseller. Packaging is easily copied, so that is not a sign of an OEM part.

 

"Genuine" and "OEM" are actually deceptive brand names, intended to fool the buyer into thinking they are genuine or oem components by the original manufacturer.

 

Probably on the correct track with this. Although he mentions fluid movement, nothing is said about actually using the bleeder vent fitting to vent air from the system. Loosen the vent, connect a clear plastic tube onto it and put the other end of the tube in the reservoir. Run the pump, squeeze and release the hoses several times and it becomes very clear when fluid works its way into the pump. I usually completely remove the bleeder initially just to ensure the tube isn't clogged. Looks just like a brake bleeder, directly in front of the inverter. Let fluid circulate through the tube for a few minutes to ensure all the air is out. Tighten the bleeder, remove the tube, top off reservoir, install cap, get a beer. Not always in that exact order.........