So last week on Tuesday my car started squeeking. When I popped the hood to check it out it seemed like the serpentine belt. But after taking it up on my schools car lift we realized it was getting wet from the water pump leaking. So my buddy went to the store and got some stuff that's supposed to stop leaks in the water pump gasket. We put it in the radiator and later that day my water pump went out completely. And my car staarted to run hot. But I realized it before it got warmer then 200. Long story short my dad offered to help pay to take it to a ssshop so I could have it done quicker and not have to use my moms car to get around. But they've had it for nearly a week and when they flushed my water system after replacing the water pump they clogged up my radiator. And are now going to charge me for another radiator and time to out it in. My bill as it sits is nearly 800. (744.xx) are they just trying to screw me cause I'm a teen. Would I really need a new radiator or couldn't they just clean the one in it out? Please enlighten me. I don't feel like this seems right.

 

Orileys has the pump for $73.99 - the core for $11.00.
They also have the radiator for $136.99.

There probably charging you alot per hour for labor.
Also....
That stop leak stuff is wishful thinking in a bottle IMO.

 

The plugged radiator is from the stop leak. The fins are really thin in our cars so they can fit more in there. Did you tell them you put stop leak in there? Many garages would have told you that you needed a radiator as soon as you said you put stop leak in there. You should be glad they found the plug and it did not cost you a head gasket job.

With the bad water pump there is no way to test the whole system until the water pump is fixed. With the system not holding pressure it was not safe to test. So there is no way they could know for sure the cooling system was working until they got it to hold pressure. It is pretty common that after you fix one problem with a coolant system another on pops up there is really no way around it.

Are they ripping you of? I have no idea, Depending on the parts they used and their hourly rate the price could be about right. Rememebr they did two complete repairs and since they warranty the work they only use OEM or the best aftermarket parts out there not whats on sale at autozone.

 

If you took your radiator to a radiator shop, chances are good they could "boil it out" to get it flowing again, something mechanics usually don't mess with. Nothing against mechanics, but they make their money replacing parts, not fixing them. It's less time consuming to replace the old radiator with a new one, plus it means more profit in their pockets for the markup on parts. The time to r&r (remove & replace) the radiator is the same whether it's with the old one, or putting in new, so the difference would be between the cost of a new radiator versus the cost from the radiator shop to fix yours. You would be able to save well over $100 this way, but the mechanic probably wouldn't be able to guarantee that part of the job not knowing the integrity of the old radiator. This is where DIY would save you a huge bundle.

 

the OP states that they put the clog radiator stuff............err, stop leak stuff in themselves

 

Ok, so he's not totally unable to "DIY".

 

It normal to "markup" an outsorced process like getting the Rad flushed the same as they mark up parts. The Flushing site with charge the garage $65 and your bill will show $87. The reason the garage do not like doing it is because if the radiator can not be saved they will end up eating the charge. Once a garage does this a few times they are less likely to try the process. Add that to the fact the radiator cost more (which means more markup) the there is very little incentive for a garage to "try" to salvage a plugged radiator.

Most garages will use Chilton ot Mitchell manual for labor rates so you could ask them to see the labor rates vs what they charged.


Just a FYI: A long time ago I took a car I hade just bought to pep boys for inspection. The car needed a complete front brakes job and tie rod ends. They quoted almost $800. I reviewed the quote and everything was "by the book". I bought all the parts I needed for $119 (from Pep boys) It took me 1 hour 15 minutes in my drive way with jack stands. I had Pep boys do a 39.99 Alignment and the $19.99 for the inspection. I saved $600 for 1:15 worth of work. I have no idea how people that don't work on their cars can afford it.

 

it's probably why most folks put off repairs. Heck, my own brother-in-law would put off oil changes. At 90k miles I pulled of the head because he had major oil leaks.

The engine was in need of an overhaul and not worth it. Had he spent $240 more over a few years for regular oil changes it would have been avoided.

Do you remember these commercials?

 

Quoted from Gorn's post:

I have no idea how people that don't work on their cars can afford it.

Ain't that the truth, brother...

Actually, I kind of *do* understand it. It's why most people bend over to buy new cars -- the warranty. You find something with a monthly payment that fits your budget and live with it. When the car is paid off you cross your fingers and hope to get a few more trouble free years before something major fails. As the little stuff goes, you ignore it -- air conditioning, dash lights, loose interior trim, inop power window, etc. I see it all the time with 6 and 7 year old cars -- "I don't want to fix that, it's an old car."
What! I've never owned a car that new!

 

Bought my waterpump off rockauto for $100 including shipping to canada.