Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.

Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
specialist, perhaps)?

If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
think...anything else to do at the same time in there?

I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...

Bart

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

 

(5-spd manual transmission, FYI - I understand it takes a different rad
than the auto transmission model)

Bart Oleksy wrote:
> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
> I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
> usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
> the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
> mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
> needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>
> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
> specialist, perhaps)?
>
> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
> same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
> think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>
> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...
>
> Bart
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

 

(5-spd manual transmission, FYI - I understand it takes a different rad
than the auto transmission model)

Bart Oleksy wrote:
> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
> I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
> usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
> the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
> mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
> needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>
> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
> specialist, perhaps)?
>
> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
> same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
> think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>
> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...
>
> Bart
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

 

(5-spd manual transmission, FYI - I understand it takes a different rad
than the auto transmission model)

Bart Oleksy wrote:
> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
> I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
> usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
> the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
> mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
> needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>
> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
> specialist, perhaps)?
>
> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
> same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
> think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>
> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...
>
> Bart
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

 

Bart Oleksy wrote:
> (5-spd manual transmission, FYI - I understand it takes a different
> rad than the auto transmission model)
>
> Bart Oleksy wrote:
>> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck,
>> so I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my
>> mechanic, usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on
>> eBay for half the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by
>> that, but my mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the
>> front bumper needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>>
>> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
>> specialist, perhaps)?
>>
>> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at
>> the same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I
>> would think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>>
>> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...
>>
>> Bart
>>
>
The $272 price seems about right for the radiator R&R.

Removing the front end is required but that really isn't much of a job
but as long as it is off it would be a good time to replace the timing
belt, water pump, thermostat, idler pulley and tensioner which will also
require a drain and fill of the correct antifreeze. This job should be
done every 60K to 70K or four years. If you are at that or close get it
done. The cost of this also includes removing the front end of the car
so you can kill two birds ...

 

Bart Oleksy wrote:
> (5-spd manual transmission, FYI - I understand it takes a different
> rad than the auto transmission model)
>
> Bart Oleksy wrote:
>> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck,
>> so I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my
>> mechanic, usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on
>> eBay for half the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by
>> that, but my mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the
>> front bumper needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>>
>> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
>> specialist, perhaps)?
>>
>> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at
>> the same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I
>> would think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>>
>> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...
>>
>> Bart
>>
>
The $272 price seems about right for the radiator R&R.

Removing the front end is required but that really isn't much of a job
but as long as it is off it would be a good time to replace the timing
belt, water pump, thermostat, idler pulley and tensioner which will also
require a drain and fill of the correct antifreeze. This job should be
done every 60K to 70K or four years. If you are at that or close get it
done. The cost of this also includes removing the front end of the car
so you can kill two birds ...

 

Bart Oleksy wrote:
> (5-spd manual transmission, FYI - I understand it takes a different
> rad than the auto transmission model)
>
> Bart Oleksy wrote:
>> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck,
>> so I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my
>> mechanic, usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on
>> eBay for half the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by
>> that, but my mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the
>> front bumper needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>>
>> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
>> specialist, perhaps)?
>>
>> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at
>> the same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I
>> would think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>>
>> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...
>>
>> Bart
>>
>
The $272 price seems about right for the radiator R&R.

Removing the front end is required but that really isn't much of a job
but as long as it is off it would be a good time to replace the timing
belt, water pump, thermostat, idler pulley and tensioner which will also
require a drain and fill of the correct antifreeze. This job should be
done every 60K to 70K or four years. If you are at that or close get it
done. The cost of this also includes removing the front end of the car
so you can kill two birds ...

 

On Dec 10, 1:20 pm, Bart Oleksy <ba...@nerdshack.com> wrote:
> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
> I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
> usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
> the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
> mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
> needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>
> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
> specialist, perhaps)?
>
> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
> same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
> think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>
> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...


If it was $272 installed then I would do it, the entire front end does
have to be removed and while not a big deal, it IS time consuming
(read: $$). You don't say what mileage is on the car, or how long it's
been since the TB was replaced. If you're still on the original, then
it is time for sure, regardless of mileage.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

 

On Dec 10, 1:20 pm, Bart Oleksy <ba...@nerdshack.com> wrote:
> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
> I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
> usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
> the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
> mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
> needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>
> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
> specialist, perhaps)?
>
> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
> same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
> think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>
> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...


If it was $272 installed then I would do it, the entire front end does
have to be removed and while not a big deal, it IS time consuming
(read: $$). You don't say what mileage is on the car, or how long it's
been since the TB was replaced. If you're still on the original, then
it is time for sure, regardless of mileage.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

 

On Dec 10, 1:20 pm, Bart Oleksy <ba...@nerdshack.com> wrote:
> Looks like my coolant leak is due to a problem at the plastic neck, so
> I'm told I need a new radiator. I was quoted $272 (CAD) by my mechanic,
> usually 'decent' on parts in the past. I see a bunch on eBay for half
> the price or less (incl. shipping!), so I'm tempted by that, but my
> mechanic says it's a BIG job to replace the rad as the front bumper
> needs to come off, and something else 'big' I forget now.
>
> Is that true? Or should I be taking it somewhere else (radiator
> specialist, perhaps)?
>
> If it's true, then I probably should be doing some other service at the
> same time, I imagine. Could be time to do the timing belt, I would
> think...anything else to do at the same time in there?
>
> I'm a fair novice at cars, so be gentle...


If it was $272 installed then I would do it, the entire front end does
have to be removed and while not a big deal, it IS time consuming
(read: $$). You don't say what mileage is on the car, or how long it's
been since the TB was replaced. If you're still on the original, then
it is time for sure, regardless of mileage.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA