My radiator has gone from bad to worse and I really need a new one very soon. I've never done any mechanical work on my car due to lack of proper tools and a place to do it, and I don't really want my first project to be this so I'm trying to find a place to do it for me.

I called my local acura dealership today for an estimate on replacing the OEM radiator and was told $503. This sounds like an utter ripoff to me. Am I wrong?

 

Go to any radiator store and get one for around $100..it's pretty easy to replace. Get a couple of friends toghether and figure it out..pretty easy.
For 500+, you can get 2 really goooood ones.

 

I got an oem radiator...since the dealer is charging your $500...Ill sell mine $400 brand new ...j/k...call to you local autozone or some local shop....it should usually be bout $100-$150 or so.....if not, ebay always have good deal...

 

radiator was the first thing i've ever touched on my car. also the easiest of things i've done. so u might as well start there. even for the first time it'll take u an hour and that's if u take your time by yourself. all that needs to be done is draining coolant, removing hoses and unplugging fans, removing top radiator clamps then radiator itself. then swap the fans to the new one and reverse the removal phase. voila! don't forget to bleed the cooling system properly or else u'll notice bogging of the engine due to improper temperature reading.
u shouldn't pay more than 100 for oem replacement.
good luck and screw the dealer!

 

I just replaced mine a week ago with an all metal two row radiator

http://www.radiatorbarn.com

It cost me 122 dollars shipped.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JoizeeAutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">radiator was the first thing i've ever touched on my car. also the easiest of things i've done. so u might as well start there. even for the first time it'll take u an hour and that's if u take your time by yourself. all that needs to be done is draining coolant, removing hoses and unplugging fans, removing top radiator clamps then radiator itself. then swap the fans to the new one and reverse the removal phase. voila! don't forget to bleed the cooling system properly or else u'll notice bogging of the engine due to improper temperature reading.
u shouldn't pay more than 100 for oem replacement.
good luck and screw the dealer!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess the dealership is wanting to charge $150 for the radiator and $350/hr for labor then

 

yes, and if they could, they would ask to fock your g/f while they were at it!
and i've also seen posts where the dealer would screw something up on the car and try to hide it.
so i prefer to do as much as possible on my own(including timing belt change), unless the job requires a lift or some super duper tools. radiator replacement is definitely not one of them. and you won't even need the manual for it, although it might help.

 

GET C&R!

 

parts r cheap labor is expensive