Accord EX 90 4D radiator question

Hi,

What is usually the warranty period for a radiator? And how much is the
labor for installing a new one? Is it normal for a radiator to fail after 3
years?

A little longer than 3 years ago I had a mechanic install a new radiator,
and it's been leaking for several months. He told me that it's no longer
covered by the warranty and every time I talk to him about this he gives me
a different number - 1, 2 or 3 years. Finally he said he called the vendor,
and they were willing to replace it with a new one, but I would have to pay
for labor, and of course again I am getting different amounts all the time,
and a different reason why - first it was $120, then it went up to $199 and
then $160. I asked why, he first said he has to replace some coolant pump or
something, then that they have to take one of the AC fans down and so on.

Anyway, it's clear to me that it's a rip off, but as usual I can't argue
with him because I don't have proof of anything. I suspect that when they
first installed it, they got one of their pieces of junk and they sold it to
me as new, and this is how they can play with the "warranty". Is there any
way to track these radiators, a serial number for example and see when they
were manufactured and by whom?

I am totally fed up with dishonest and incompetent mechanics and I can't
seem to find a good one, no matter what I do.

Anybody knows a good and honest Honda mechanic in the San Francisco Bay
Area?

Thanks,

A

 

Desperate wrote:
[skipping your painful radiator story...]

|| Anybody knows a good and honest Honda mechanic in the San Francisco
|| Bay Area?

Not exactly "Honda mechanic" and not the cheapest, but definitely "good and
honest": http://www.joshuamotors.com/ (and unlike what the web site may
suggest, they do all kinds of cars - specialized on those listed there,
though). They're in Fremont.

 

Thanks,

I'll check them out.

A