(This car previously overheated from having the wrong oil filter installed and it popped off and drained all the oil. We had it serviced in another garage and it was driving fine after that.)
99 Toyota Camry, 300k+ Miles
I started to notice the coolant reservoir kept going low, about once a week for the last few months. Being in a warm climate, I added distilled water to continually top it off. The car then overheated and I found air burst through the top radiator hose (near the hose clamp). I replaced the top hose with a 2000 hose on accident but they are exactly alike in size and shape so I used it. The car then ran like normal for about 4 days.
Now we overheated the car again and I discovered that water drains, at a steady pace, from an area around the water pump. I can see it bubbling from deep behind the area where the thermostat should be replaced. The water inside the overflow reservoir and radiator cap also bubbles when the car is running.
If I replace the water pump and timing belt, could that fix the problem or could there be an underlying problem that could cause the new water pump to fail?
I'd hate to do all the youtube research to do this and mess up a new water pump.