I checked my coolant today, and it was pratically empty? I poured in a whole shitload of peak 50/50, and now its full. What would cause it to be soo empty? I dont see any leaks...How bad is it to drive around like this the past few weeks? I mean there was some in there but not much at all.

 

You're fine as long as it did'nt over heat during that period. Just keep an eye on it.

 

you might not see any leaks till you pressure test the cooling system for leaks ........chk radiator cap. chk radiator for leaks, chk fans operation make sure they come on ,,, if you are low on coolant you either have a leak or car has been overheating and losing it or a blown head gasket and comes out of tail pipe

 

The one exception to deserthonda's point is the waterpump. Thru a curious twist of design, a waterpump is more likely to leak once the engine cools off and the system depressurizes (has to do with how the shaft seal is oriented),
If you continue to loose coolant, yet can't find a leak with a pressure test, suspect the pump. It will have to be verified with a visual check (however). There will be a telltail green stain trailing from a vent hole at the bottom of the pump housing.

P

 

Dropped it off at shop for oil change, told them to check it out...

They said I have a leak in the radiator, is that normal for a 97? I thought they last longer. He said it's in the top part and leaks alot when full and slowly when it gets 30% full. He ordered an aftermarket one. And it cost me 479.00 for oil change, tranny drain/fill (i wanted that also), and radiator plus labor and coolant.

Did I get ripped? It's not a name brand radiator, but he said he uses them all the time some japanese company, and he never has problems. He also said it has 1 yr warranty.

 

woooooo way way too much money.............non factory radiators are around 100-150 dollars labor cannot be more than 1 hr ..wow... 479 seems too much

 

In answer to your questions: Radiator failures are not uncommon; I had to replace mine ('97 SE) at 135000 miles.

Lets' see.... $150.00 aftermarket radiator, 1 hour labor ($55.00) and coolant ($15.00) = $220.00. Tranny service = $110.00. Oil change = $24.95. Plus tax, shop supplies and waste disposal equals $360.00 +-.

At first glance I'd agree with desertHonda, it's a bit pricy; but IF there was also diagnostic time AND a coolant flush and refill it would be closer to what you experienced.

P

 

ah, he stated tranny oil drain/refill... a very easy job to do... unless you're talking about a "total fluid exchange" job...

most independent shops would charge the customer the full retail price of the aftermarket part while they pay special discounted prices, depending on their account w/ the parts distributor. for example, i payed $40 each for cv halfshafts for my brother's DSM car while his best prices are around $70 each-shops will probably charge him $150 each.

so I'm not that surprised w/ the high cost of that radiator (i can find an aftermarket 1 w/ lifetime warranty for under $100)

 

p buddy tranny drain and refill is around 25-30 dollars

 

Heres the breakdown (just want to know if I should keep going here, they've been there for 40 years)

Diagnose: 75.00
Labor: 70.00
Visteon Radiator: 224.00
Tranny Drain/Fill: 50.00
Oil Change: 18.00

Final Paid amount: 463.22 (with tax)

BTW Is Visteon any good?

 

d buddy, trans flush and refill = 110.00. Technician splices to system at trans cooler line and console flushes system 'till fluid runs clean. This way, even the fluid in the converter gets changed. BG distributes the machine to commercial accounts only.
If I had ment drain and refill, I would have said drain and refill.

P

...and as I suspected, there was a diagnostic charge involved.
...and we were all wrong as to the price of the radiator (your price is in the ballpark, I paid 270.00+- in 11/2003 for my radiator)
...yes, it is one of the better brands and compares to Modine and Coolcore (and it has a warranty too!!!)


Modified by P_Adams at 6:19 PM 7/29/2005

 

Alot of guys with turbos run stock radiators, the oem ones cool pretty dang good. $100 for a new radiator is easy to find. DIY days are so much more fun and cheaper.

 

Does it matter if the reserve tank (plastic tank on the side) is filled up above the MAX line? I just checked it they must have put alot in...Should I take some out, or just leave it?

 

Overfilling the overflow catch tank will effect nothing. The system will find it's own happy medium. Once it does so (however) it will range between a "hot" level and a "cold" level and should retain those levels.

P