First Tundra - New Concerns

Hello all,

I just got my first Tundra the other day. It’s a 2016 Crewmax 5.7L w/ SR5 Upgrade + Safety and Convenience packages. It’s got 20,900 miles on the engine at the moment.

I have several questions that I wanted to ask if anyone could link usefull threads or post comments.

1. I read much about the water pump going out at 60k or less on the 5.7L.. any preventative maintenance/things to look out for when driving?

2. Do bed covers really help with MPGs?

3. Does underspray really matter?

 

Welcome from Oregon!

1. Don’t know

2. Since I put my bed cover on my highway MPG improved by 1 MPG... city driving still the same

3. I guess it depends on where you live. They don’t salt the roads where I live, so body rot is not an issue.

 

Welcome from Obx ,
Question 1- Seems pre-mature @ 60k. If you see coolant where you park, chances are your near time to replace.

Question 2- Sorry can't help ya there

Question 3- Depends on where you live. I got my Tundra done because I live @ the beach, Salt is a Mfr on everything here. If you don't want to pay for undercoating, then you could Fluid Film underneath. There are members here that use it.

 

Has your undercoat paid off? I was assuming that the corosion warrenty covers the rust under the bed as well as the frame.. but I didn’t dig too deep into that lol

 

1. Been reading about Tundras every day since I got mine in 2015 and not seen one thread on water pumps prematurely going out. Where are you getting that info?

2. Yes but not dramatically.

3. If you live in an area where they salt the roads I would definitely have it done.

 

So far so good. The main thing is is that your underside is completely dry. You don't want them trapping water when the go to spray it. I'm happy with the job they did.

 

If you look up “Tundra 5.7L Waterpump” theres threads about it.. I also wiki’d the 3UZFE engine and apparently its a known issue. Welp, looks like i’m getting an undercoat. What cover do you have?

 

My 07 is 11 with 91K. Water pump seal has tiny seepage. Tiny... I rarely have to top off coolant. Once in four years. Very few water pump complaints on this forum. Almost none.

 

@ Matt, quit showing off

 

This Guy ^

 

Yeah the 07/08's could have premature pump failure. There was a capped off hole that had a not so great seal that in some cases....leaked. Newer pumps after 08 had this issue fixed. Has no affect on newer Tundras.

 

Welcome from Colorado

 

I have done 2 water pumps on 125k miles first under warranty second one was last year and was very minor seepage but still got it done

 

Welcome from eastern CO! I have 119k on my 08, and to my knowledge I’m still on the original water pump. Have put 51k on it myself and no real issues.

 

I got CPO - would seepage be enough to warrent a full replacement of the waterpump under the warrenty?

 

Should be that's what happened to my first one

 

1. Just drive the truck. Nothing we can do to prolong life of water pump. That's the design of the part.
2. Bed covers helps with mpg if you live or drive in windy areas. It will help with wind drag when driving high speed. I do have a bed cover. I don't feel the wind slowing the truck down when I'm driving in windy area. Before? yeah. It'll slow the truck when wind gusts hits the inside of the bed.
3. For me yes. If I want to drive my truck on snow with salt, truck is protected with Fluid Film. Can be applied at home.

 

I would say yes depending on your warranty...seepage is not a good thing. I know I'll have to replace mine at some point.

 

It's all about the luck of the draw!

 

Interesting.. anything else I should look out for other than the waterpump?

 

I was told by a tech that the water pumps are the weak point of these trucks but I've not had to replace anything else besides regular maintenance items been a great truck and still roars every time

 

Not sure. I've been pretty fortunate so far. After all it is a Toyota. Starter comes to mind. Not that it's an issue but a real bitch to swap out. Not looking forward to that at all..

 

Welcome from Texas, let's see your ride

1. Never heard of anyone else on here having issues
2. I have one not really
3. Depends on where ya live, I've seen members on here use fluid film