Water pump question for the 4.6L

Hello everyone
I have a 2011 SR5 with the 4.6L V8. I have been getting parts together do replace the water pump, thermostat, belt and pulleys. I ordered everything from Rock Auto and I went with he Aisin water pump.

When I opened the box for the pump it does not look right. The pully mount is a large nylon wheel. From everything I have seen it should be the flat metal ring with 4 holes for the pulley bolts. Can anyone that has the 4.6L please tell me if I have the correct part. All of the part numbers match up.

Thanks.

 

Does the water pump you received from Rock Auto look like this?

https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.c...9dHVuZHJhJnk9MjAxMSZ0PXNyNSZlPTQtNmwtdjgtZ2Fz

 

If the box says it's an Aisin water pump, and the housing shape and mounting holes appear to be the same as the picture above, then it's likely the correct water pump. You have essentially bought an aftermarket pump made by Aisin. It is not necessarily the exact same water pump provided to Toyota specs, but Aisin believes the pump to still be functionally the same.

I suspect Aisin has figured out how to save a dollar by replacing the steel pulley mounting hub with a plastic one.

 

The backside of my pump looks the same but the pulley mount in no where the same. Unless they expect you to just use the plastic piece as a pully there is nothing to attach the old metel pulley to.

 

Try uploading a pic. I can't visualize what you're describing.

It is possible Rock Auto sent you the wrong part. The Toyota part linked earlier clearly shows a pulley hub with four holes.

 

Sorry I should have sent these from the beginning. I think I am going to send it back and get the Beck/Arnley instead

 

Ha. I think that is a protective cover over the pulley hub to protect the mechanical seal from impacts to shaft during shipment. Did you try tugging it off?

 

I thought that as well but it does not budge and I did not want to damage anything and effect the return.

 

That is most certainly a protective cap over the pulley boss. Take a flathead screwdriver and pry it off.

 

If that is the case can we pretend I never created this post? I have probably installed 6 or 7 water pumps in my past and I never had one with a cover over the pulley mount.

 

haha you are forgiven.

 

Is everything ok now?

 

Well I ended up sending that pump back and ordering the Beck/Arnley one yesterday morning. Rock auto let me send I back for free, but if this one comes like that I will defiantly know what to try. Thanks everyone.

 

Let us know how the next one comes, with pics.

 

So oddly enough I received the Beck/Arnley pump last night. It has Asin stamped in it and it looks different then the first one they sent me. Mainly no plastic cover, plate between the t-stat mount is not on the new one, T-stat mount is thinner on the new one and the gasket in the box matches up perfectly with the new pump. I will send some pics when I get home.