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Radiator leaking, roadrip this week, dealer bound - Cost?

H3ATH3N

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Changin' the oil this morn and it looks like my radiator has joined the ranks of so many on the forum - - 11 years after I bought the truck... (!!)
With a mountainous Arizona road trip around the corner I have no time to bother Alrock & Reloader to help me (do everything while I helplessly watch) so... off to the dealer.

Anyone know what I should expect to be charged (if it is the radiator) and/or any suggestions on what to ask and look out for?

Thanks in advance -
 

Enter Hummer

Well-Known Member
Messages
244
Location
Southwest
Me and my brother did it in an hour or two and it was very easy for us home mechanics.

Price: I dont know, sorry

Things to look out for: make sure they put the black collar back over the clips for the transmission lines (bottom of radiator). We forgot to do it on mine and it drove fine for a whole 1/2 mile before the rpm's violently started lowering/rising and parked me in the middle of the road with a lake of red fluid leading up to me :)

long story short the tranny lines connect to the radiator via clips which are held in by black collars. They are very easy to forget and can take a little ride before giving out. Just my horror story.

picture with collar off:
IMG_1217.JPG
 
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H3ATH3N

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Radiator gone. $1250 for new oem part replacement and complete flush.
And - after the fact schooling: I probably brought this on myself by topping off my coolant at one point or another over the truck's lifetime with whatever coolant was in the garage: Hopefully my mistake will help other less mechanically inclined - - don't mix your coolants! - - https://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/28/coolant-color/
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,848
Location
Bellflower, CA
Cheap radiators are @ $100 top of the line aluminum will run @ $400. While you're at it replace the hoses, they are cheap and you've already done half of the work. Mixing coolants should not cause a failure, they are compatible as long as it is Dexcool equivalent.
 

Traxx

Well-Known Member
Messages
682
Location
PNW
1250???? Wow, that's 1000 in labor or about 400 an hour. Some dealer service writer made a nice commission off that ticket.

Pays to call around a bit.
 

H3ATH3N

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Believe me - If I had a weekend to wrench and a couple days to shop... but, no dice this time. Live and learn. Turns out they charged about 300% what the radiator SHOULD cost and four-ish hours labor - plus I had them flush the system for another $200. BUT, I got an appt the next business day and now can enjoy my trip. Plus - it's all Alex's fault really - - for being Mr. "World Traveler" and not being there for me in my time of need. Damn you. Damn you, Alex. :gaah:
 

rascole

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,848
Location
Bellflower, CA
Sometimes life gets in the way. I've forced myself to pay a shop to do work I knew I could do but too many projects and too many family events to do them all. Plus side is you made your trip.
 

alrock

El Diablo
Staff member
Messages
10,674
Location
Scottsdale
Plus - it's all Alex's fault really - - for being Mr. "World Traveler" and not being there for me in my time of need. Damn you. Damn you, Alex. :gaah:
I was "only" a US Traveler this past week, not world. Don't be afraid to text Steve or me, you never know what parts we have around. Like a brand new OEM radiator in his garage, leaning against the wall by the door. But I agree, it was pretty much my fault. :)
 

Happy Hummer

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,465
Location
Wisconsin
It blows being Billy butt rangered like this but you sometimes got a do, what you got to do.
I was in a pickle with my Jeep xj last year and payed $35 for five bolts because I had to have em then. There specific length and tapper, head for rear springs.
 

lsv_palana

Well-Known Member
Messages
383
Location
Kamchatka, Russia
1250$ ? Oh my GOD... i can by ticket fly to America, change radiator for you, we will go to las vegas play casino and i will back home by plane :) i think 1250 for changing radiator - a LOT OF money.. i changed my radiator in 1.5 hour.. use alluminium. Made in china.. works fine ...

Отправлено с моего SM-N910C через Tapatalk
 

lsv_palana

Well-Known Member
Messages
383
Location
Kamchatka, Russia
Life is short ! Don't regret about money.. few days ago i bought Mavic Pro for 1299$.. nice thing while off-roading..

Отправлено с моего SM-N910C через Tapatalk
 
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