95 Integra Radiator Help!

I just took my car to a mechanic because of a radiator fluid leak.
Apparently, my radiator is old and needs to be replaced. I was quoted
about $427 for labor and parts. And also, he was recommending that the
coolant system be flushed and change the parts related to it. And
that's an extra $600, totaling about $1100. Does the price sound
reasonable? I've been fooled by many mechanics before and I don't feel
like I can trust anyone with my car nowadays. HELP!

Thanks in advance!

 

An aftermarket unit is less than $200. His price seems a bit high. Did he
break it down, parts and labor, or just give you a blanket quote?

"Parts related"? Pretty wide scope there. An extra $600 sounds like he's
replacing every hose, plus the thermostat, plus a bunch more parts. Not a
bad idea, but not all of that is 100% necessary. It also depends on the
condition of the cooling system right now. If it's been neglected, or
you've been using silicated antifreeze, you could have issues related to
that.

How old are your rad hoses? The thermostat? The coolant that's in there
right now? Ever run hot, or overheated?

 

a reasonable quality aftermarket radiator costs $125 retail, excl. labor.

that's good provided he doesn't use aggressive chemicals.

not so good. depends on existing condition. unless there's a problem
like a massive oil leak, blown head gasket or other issue, leave alone.

call around and see what else you're quoted for a new rad, fitted.

 

I was quoted $174.60 for labor and $198 for an "aftermarket used"
radiator, plus taxes.

For the cooling system, I think he was trying to make money out of me.
I've only had my car overheated once since I've owned it (almost 11
years now). That was 4 years ago, and it was because we were going up a
steep mountain road. I think I'll pass on the cooling system since it
doesn't seem necessary.

The thermostat and coolant is about 5 years old. My car was in a front
head collision and I'm pretty sure those were changed.

Thanks for the response! Very helpful!

 

Thanks for the response. I think I might call around to make sure. The
price he gave me was $198 for and "aftermarket new" radiator. Someone
told me that it's a little on the high side, but reasonable.

I'll pass on his cooling system recommendation since I don't seem to
need it now.

 

I'd ask your mechanic if you can provide the radiator and have him install it
for you. If he doesn't, I'd look elsewhere. This guy seems to be ripping you off
from what you are saying. I've purchased two radiators from
http://www.performanceradiator.com/ and they have been fine for about 2 years
now (they also have a 3 year warranty). Whatever you do or purchase from, make
sure to use Honda coolant.

Hope this helps,
Nick

 

There is no such thing as "aftermarket used". "Aftermarket" refers to a new
product, made by someone other than the original vehicle manufacturer.
"Used" is just that. While "used aftermarket" parts certainly exist, they
are not sold that way. I would recommend talking to someone, who actually
knows what he is selling.

A little basic engineering, if I may. Your car did not overheat, "because"
you were going up a steep mountain road. I drive my Honda up and down steep
mountain roads every day, sometimes stuck behind huge slower than molasses
motor homes. Your car overheated because of an insufficiency in the cooling
system. What that is, I don't know. It could have been low coolant, a
damaged radiator, a bad water pump, need to flush the system, lots of stuff.

Earle

I was quoted $174.60 for labor and $198 for an "aftermarket used"
radiator, plus taxes.

For the cooling system, I think he was trying to make money out of me.
I've only had my car overheated once since I've owned it (almost 11
years now). That was 4 years ago, and it was because we were going up a
steep mountain road. I think I'll pass on the cooling system since it
doesn't seem necessary.

The thermostat and coolant is about 5 years old. My car was in a front
head collision and I'm pretty sure those were changed.

Thanks for the response! Very helpful!

 

My '90 accord after market radiator cost $125 from radiator barn. Took
me little over two hours to install it and all new hoses except for
heater hoses, and have the car up and running. And I was going slow
cause I don't do it for a living.

Seems a touch high to me, but I would imagine it is in the ball park
if you get multiple quotes.

Frank

 

I would strongly recommend that you change out *all* the hoses. A burst
heater hose will cause you as much grief as the main radiator hoses and
in a short time as well... BTDT

JT

 

"Insufficiencies" sufficient to cause catastrophic overheating in modern
cars are almost universally due to neglect, inattention, and/or
incorrect/incompetent servicing.

 

No argument there.

Earle

 

nice, but not necessary. the orange prestone dexcool is
silicate/phosphate free and works just fine, when mixed with distilled
water.

the old green prestone is a no-no, good only for low tolerance ancient
detroit iron.

 

yup. i see signs on the cajon pass to "turn off A/C for next x miles-
steep grade"

i never do it. just kick it down to 3rd, and blast up the hill. doing
70+ in 3rd really drops the mileage of a lil 4-banger, tho.

 

So I finally got my radiator changed and didn't bother calling for
other quotes since I need my car (well, I actually called an Acura
dealer just to see how much they're charging and it's about $200 more).
But now, I think he ended up selling me something that I don't need, or
do I? He changed the upper and lower radiator hoses, which he said I
should get coz there's no labor if I get it done now with the radiator,
than later when it actually gives me problems, which by then will have
labor and cost more. It set me back an extra $60. Did I actually need
those replaced?


I'm absolutely losing trust on mechanics. Where can I find an honest
one nowadays?

 

He's 100% right.

It NEVER hurts to change those. Those hoses are the ones that blow, strand
you and wreck your motor.

If you quibble over this one, you're being penny wise and pound foolish.
Your man did you a favor. I just hope he used OEM hoses.

You can find *honest* ones everywhere. *Competent ones* with *lots of
experience* are much less common.

 

70+??? slowcoach! my civic will easily red line in 3rd up that hill -
not much competition from detroit at that velocity i find...

 

What are OEM hoses? I'll ask him. And what if he didn't?

 

"OEM" means ones from Honda, as sold by the dealer. If he didn't, the hoses
may be much less long-lived than OEM hoses.

You may save 20 or 40 bucks using aftermarket hoses, but it's not worth it
at all if they fail prematurely and your $5,000 engine goes south.

If he used aftermarket, just have them changed in two years, along with the
coolant. (Yes I know you have "long life" coolant, but that doesn't mean
anything to me.)

 

Good advice. I did not imply that I chose to leave them because they
would cause less of a problem if they failed. They had been changed
and were newer than the other hoses which had been on the car for
about 6 years. They inspected well.

Frank

 

well, being that i own a lowly CX, i dont have a tach. in 3rd at 70+,
the engines screaming. to me, at least.

ill probably never get around to the "plug n play junkyard tach"
modification.

the last run to laughlin, NV from LA yielded a 25mpg round trip, due to
my heavy foot and some extralegal speeds. thats sad, for a civic.