DODGY MECHANIC!

[Webby658]

Just had a 'new' radiator fitted to my 2.2 petrol frontera as the last one burst, drove 60 miles and noticed a hissing sound as if the radiator was leaking. Checked the radiator and its split under the cap again. Looking at it though it looks like the mechanic covered the split in some sort of resin the first time and charged me £170 for a radiator. Just after a second opinion, picture is attached.

Thanks

Radiator3.jpg

[Roo]

Hiya
I'd get in touch with the garage and explain what happend and ask them what are they going to do about it? I personally don't think you should have to pay for another one , so I'd be tellingl them, that you want a New one! as surely they give some guarantee on new parts, that they have fitted ?

It doesn't lQQK like a well finished one, sorry I haven't seen a new one before So I shouldn't really comment on that

[Drift]

A new rad should cost no more than £90 and half an hour max to fit

[Webby658]

Anyone got a 'How to' guide on removing and fitting a radiator. Haven't done any work myself so it would be handy to have for a bit of guidence.

[Sir-Doris]

Havent got a how to but it involves undoing the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator, removing the rad hoses from the radiator, then have a hunt round and loosen all the bolts securing the rad to the car. Remove and replace. Refitting is a reverse of removal.

Refill the system with 5 litres of antifreeze/coolant and top up with water.

As far as I know most parts supplied shout come with some sort of guarantee.

[nigelbread]

Hi that looks like glass fibre resin.
Would be a clear colour.
A new rad is easy to spot as you will have no corrosion in the fins and clean black paint.
Suggest a second opinion AA or RAC if you are a member?
Or trading standards.
Check your receipt as it may say repair with no reference to new rad!

[Trugga]

On my 2.8, to remove the rad you remove the cowling (plastic clips if I recall correctly), remove two easily accessible screws from the flitch plate (in front of the bonnet lock), undo two hose clamps and the rad can be lifted out (obviously, water will drain everywhere) - perhaps a couple of hours work tops, including refilling the system with water and anti-freeze.



Did you get a receipt ? If so, does it mention a replacement radiator ? - if so you might like to mention Trading Standards.

Lawrence

[Frenchfarmer]

As far as I know any lawyer is obliged to give you a free ( payed by the tax payer ie. you ) half hour on any one subject. So go to one or go directly to the trading standards ( It is after all you who pay their wages ) and make them sort it out as you might have been conned and if you don't lots of other people might be too. If this is a con artist he is taking work that other proper mechanics need.
As you are on this site; can I ask why you went to a garage first and didn't check up with FOG so that when you went to the garage you knew what the bill should have been and what should have been done?
That's the whole point of FOG.

[Webby658]

I came on here and found that it was likely to be my head gasket that had blown and caused the radiator to split. The rough prices I got on here were around the same the garage quoted me, just didn't know he was going to have my eyes out at the time!

[Drift]

The price quoted in that thread

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26144&p=293055#p293055

Was for a head gasket set DIY, a garage would charge in the region of £300 plus for a head gasket.

[Sir-Doris]

[fogman]

you can change your settings to english sir d, but ive forgotten how i did it

a blown head gasket wouldnt cause a rad to split would it ?

[Frenchfarmer]

There's a pressure relief on either the rad cap or the bottle so, If it was pressure from the cylinders getting into the water system then the fluid would have blasted out.
If it is that bad then have a look at what's on the end of your dipstick; if it is mayonnaise and not oil then your head gasket is gone.

[Frenchfarmer]

[Sir-Doris]

[Frenchfarmer]

Lucky it wasn't in Japanese.

[Frenchfarmer]

[Webby658]

Yes it split in exactly the same place last time, I can tell their trying to have me over because there's painted over rust on the 'new' radiator!

I was quoted around £800 for just the head gasket work at all the garages I called, except this one who said £500 for the head gasket, thermostat and valve seals. I had an ask around and no one had a bad work to say about this particular garage so I decided to get the work done there.

[fogman]

hi webby, £800 seems a bit steep for a head gasket mate, im in the process of having mine done as we speak, ive paid £80 for the full gaskett set, £50 for the head to be skimmed plus checking so its ok to reuse, a thermostat which ive seen on ebay for £35 - 40 including postage [im also fitting a new water pump which is optional ] & you probably be wise to fit a new cambelt [i had a new kit fitted early this year] approx £60 for the kit but a belt only would be considerably cheaper, again from ebay, plus labour, i would expect you to be paying nearer £500 for a head gasket change !

are there any members in your area you could pm for names of any local garages to you that are a bit more trustworthy or shall we say economical ?

[Sir-Doris]

£35-£45 seems a bit steep for a thermostat.

To get a headgasket done at a vauxhall main dealer is around the £900 inclusive of head skim, parts etc. So not a cheap option. I suspect an independent will be around £500.