Toyota water pump and timing cover leak repair in Chico, CA. 2AR-FE 4-cylinder and 2GR-FE V6. From $650 installed. NAPA Gold 3-year warranty.
Toyota water pump and timing cover leaks are common on 2AR-FE and 2GR-FE engines over 100,000 miles. Both are predictable maintenance items when caught early.
2AR-FE 4-cylinder water pump replacement from $650. 2GR-FE V6 from $850. Includes water pump, gasket, coolant flush, and new coolant. NAPA Gold 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. Written estimate before any work.
The 2AR-FE 2.5L engine in Camry, RAV4, Highlander, and Venza has a mechanical water pump with a weep hole below the pump shaft seal.
When the shaft bearing seal wears, coolant seeps through and drips from the weep hole. Early sign: staining below the pump. Advanced: visible dripping. Replace before bearing failure causes impeller damage.
The 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 in Camry V6, RAV4 V6, Highlander, Tacoma V6, and Lexus RX 350 has a timing-chain-driven water pump accessible through the timing cover.
Water pump replacement requires timing cover removal. This is a significant job but the access means timing cover gasket replacement is included. Often combined with camshaft seal replacement since access is the same.
Both 2AR-FE and 2GR-FE develop timing cover gasket leaks as the gasket or RTV sealant degrades over time. Oil seeps from the timing cover perimeter, sometimes pooling at the front of the engine.
Severity ranges from minor seep (monitor) to significant leak requiring immediate repair to prevent oil loss and catalyst contamination.
The camshaft seals at the front of the cylinder head degrade at similar mileage to timing cover gaskets. When timing cover access is required for water pump or gasket work, camshaft seal replacement adds minimal labor.
Always replace camshaft seals when doing timing cover work on high-mileage engines.
| Service | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2AR-FE water pump replacement | From $650 | Includes pump, gasket/O-ring, coolant flush, new coolant |
| 2GR-FE V6 water pump replacement | From $850 | Timing cover removal required; includes pump, gasket, coolant |
| Timing cover gasket replacement | From $600 | Includes camshaft seals when access is the same |
| Combined: water pump + timing cover | From $950 | Best value when both need replacement |
Prices as of May 2026. Final cost depends on engine condition and parts required. Written estimate provided before work begins.
Toyota Camry 2.5L (2012-2017), RAV4 2.5L (2013-2018), Highlander 2.5L Hybrid (2014-2019), Venza 2.5L. Water pump weep hole drip common after 100,000 miles.
Toyota Camry V6 (2007-2017), RAV4 V6, Highlander 3.5L (2008-2019), Tacoma V6 (2012-2015), Tundra 4.0L. Also Lexus RX 350, IS 350, ES 350, GS 350.
Water pump accessed through timing cover. Combined replacement is the efficient approach.
2AR-FE 4-cylinder from $650. 2GR-FE V6 from $850. Includes water pump, gasket, coolant flush, and new coolant. NAPA Gold 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Coolant puddle under the front-center of the engine, sweet coolant smell, coolant level dropping, overheating, or a weep hole drip from the water pump body.
Timing cover gasket and camshaft seals degrade over time and heat cycling. Common on 2AR-FE and 2GR-FE engines over 100,000 miles.
Replace when leaking or weeping. On timing belt engines, at every timing belt service. On chain-driven engines, only when evidence of failure or seeping.
Written estimate · NAPA Gold 3-year warranty · Toyota-spec coolant · Open 7 days
Buddy Rausch founded Tedious Auto Repair in Chico, CA in 2007. ASE Master Certified. 18+ years serving Butte County. About Buddy Rausch