Got a quote for replacing my radiator

1187 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by trlyka, Aug 6, 2004

trlyka

Discussion Starter · Aug 5, 2004

My radiator is leaking enough now where I am adding fluid weekly. If I drive extra other then to work and back, I need to add more often.

The person I might use quoted me about $600 or a little less. Tha radiator will be about $300 :roll:

Is that good/bad/average?

Thanks

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

pass-variant

· #2 · Aug 5, 2004

$300 for the radiator isn't that bad. Depending on the model, they will range from $280-$380 (there's a couple of variations depending on you specific car).

Assuming $80-$100/hour for labor... again isn't that bad. Could be cheaper, but they aren't blatantly screwing you, justs reasonably cushioning the time necessary.

trlyka

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 5, 2004

pass-variant said:
$300 for the radiator isn't that bad. Depending on the model, they will range from $280-$380 (there's a couple of variations depending on you specific car).

Assuming $80-$100/hour for labor... again isn't that bad. Could be cheaper, but they aren't blatantly screwing you, justs reasonably cushioning the time necessary.

The radiator is aftermarket, but that's fine. As long as I'm not getting robbed, then I'm ok with it.

Thanks

vincheung

· #4 · Aug 5, 2004

http://www.autobodypartsgo.com

stealthx32

· #5 · Aug 5, 2004

3 hours to change a radiator? What am I missing here...

V6er

· #6 · Aug 5, 2004

stealthx32 said:
3 hours to change a radiator? What am I missing here...

The 2hr lunch break.

Hell, I could do it in my lunch break

triptronic

· #7 · Aug 5, 2004

warranty..
thats where the extra $$ goes

trlyka

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 6, 2004

V6er said:
stealthx32 said:

3 hours to change a radiator? What am I missing here...

Click to expand...

The 2hr lunch break.

Hell, I could do it in my lunch break

Well, I called the dealer and they quoted me $687. So I am hoping my guy goes on the lighter side of $500 :roll:

jwil

· #9 · Aug 6, 2004

I saw Bel do a radiator in about 25~35 minutes, start to finish. No way it would take 3 hours.

SausageRocket

· #10 · Aug 6, 2004

do it yourself

trlyka

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 6, 2004

jwil said:
I saw Bel do a radiator in about 25~35 minutes, start to finish. No way it would take 3 hours.

No Way :???: Are you serious?

What's involved with getting it out? I mean do any parts have to come off the body of the car?

Was it a V6? Or does that even matter :roll:

I don't think I would do this myself :nervous:

jwil

· #12 · Aug 6, 2004

trlyka said:
jwil said:

I saw Bel do a radiator in about 25~35 minutes, start to finish. No way it would take 3 hours.

Click to expand...

No Way :???: Are you serious?

What's involved with getting it out? I mean do any parts have to come off the body of the car?

Was it a V6? Or does that even matter :roll:

I don't think I would do this myself :nervous:

The front bumper comes off, as well as the sub-bumper. Bel hung the AC condenser from the passengers side hood strut with a bungee. There were some misc plastic shrouds and stuff and then two plastic pins hold the radiator in place. pop. pop. And the radiator was out. Then reassemble, fill up with G12 and get it off the lift.

trlyka

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 6, 2004

jwil said:
trlyka said:

jwil said:

I saw Bel do a radiator in about 25~35 minutes, start to finish. No way it would take 3 hours.

Click to expand...

No Way :???: Are you serious?

What's involved with getting it out? I mean do any parts have to come off the body of the car?

Was it a V6? Or does that even matter :roll:

I don't think I would do this myself :nervous:

Click to expand...

The front bumper comes off, as well as the sub-bumper. Bel hung the AC condenser from the passengers side hood strut with a bungee. There were some misc plastic shrouds and stuff and then two plastic pins hold the radiator in place. pop. pop. And the radiator was out. Then reassemble, fill up with G12 and get it off the lift.

All that in only 35 min? WoW

Bel must have super human VW strength :wink:

Boris

· #14 · Aug 6, 2004

Maybe you need to get the radiator yourself

chunky

· #15 · Aug 6, 2004

The price for rad seems a bit high. I paid $253 CDN (~$192? USD) in Jan. Bought it from VM autohaus, a local vw OEM parts supplier in Vancouver. http://www.vmautohaus.com/... wait... just looked at boris' link. that price is about the same as what I paid.

I don't remember how long it took for me to do it in the backyard, but wasn't too bad... maybe 2 hrs max at a relaxed pace, but I don't know how bel did it in 35 min! That's pretty amazing if so. :thumbup:

PassatVariantPunk

· #16 · Aug 6, 2004

Go for a DIY! And do a write up with it too. Heck change the TB while your down there and put in a snub mount. :lol:

Seriously, if you are interested in saving money a DIY is called for. Bel is the man when it comes to VW repair (Him and Sharky had a wrench off.. who would win? :suspicio: ). So 35 minutes is like you shooting Tiger's golf round.

Search this site for information (choose your engine, then "cooling")

http://1.8t.org/~quattroman/Audi B5 97-2001/Engine Mechanical/

Ask the board members too.

Check local VW shops or even a salvage yard for the parts and G12. :thumbup:

See less See more

trlyka

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 6, 2004

Bottom line here is that it's easier for me to just let the mechanic order it. I could get one, but I don't feel like calling around to find the lowest price. If the difference is $30-$50 between what I get and what he gets, then I just assume let him get it.

Again, I am not going to do this myself. The last thing I need is to start something I can't finish. Or have the project spring a leak after it's all put together :nervous: If the job only takes him an hour, then that's what he will charge me for.

YetAnother20V

· #18 · Aug 6, 2004

trlyka, you got PM!

trlyka

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 6, 2004

YetAnother20V said:
trlyka, you got PM!

Ok, you got PM too!

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