Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I have a 2005 Toyota Sienna LE w/ 108,818 miles, bought certified used in 11/2007 for $20k.
I had the sparkplugs in my car changed today. While looking at the car, the mechanic noticed that the radiator was leaking. He says it's a small leak that could be repaired, or we could just opt to change out the whole radiator.
He says he doesn't do radiators, but refers them to another shop. This shop would charge $343 to repair the leak in the radiator or $590 to replace it. They guarantee repair work for 90 days, don't know what the guarantee is for a replacement.
Do these prices sound fair? I don't want to complain, but I just replaced my car's spark plugs for $350, I need to replace the timing belt/water pump for $720 pretty soon, and I'll be shelling out $300 later this week for new tires. My husband and I are inclined to go with the repair, but I'm going to be upset if I end up having pay out another $600 on top of that.
We're a one-car family and I use this car to commute 90 miles/day. I need it to last another year or two, at least. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Meghan
Google Champion Toyota, they are a big mail-order parts dealer near Houston. Go to their website and find the all-metal replacement radiators they offer, I put one in the 87 Camry and it fit perfectly, works great. Or just call them.
You need to put this in with the genuine Toyota (red) antifreeze mixed 50-50 with distilled water. Accept no nonsense to the effect that tap water is good enough. Some tap water has more TDS than others, for the 75 cents a gallon of distilled water costs it's not worth it, use distilled. The distilled water you can get at any grocery, the Toyota coolant you can get from Champion as well.
I'd suggest you get at least the upper rad. hose from Champion too, I'd do both but definitely do the upper one. You will have them loose from the radiator, it's very little additional work to go on and replace them.
Radiator change on most of these cars is not a big deal, slightly more work than an oil change.
If you are not up to a DIY, have your chosen shop call Champion. They seem to me to have the best prices in the US for Toy parts.
Re-reading your post, you can do the radiator change as part of the timing belt and it should add very little to the labor. At least on many cars it does not, I have not wrenched on a Sienna.
If you bite the bullet and do the timing belt, radiator, hoses, timing belt, and go on and do the serpentine or V-belts too, you should be ready to go at least 60K miles without much beyond oil changes.
(I say the above because most shops don't like to use customer-supplied parts. It's just good form to ask them if they want to order the rad. from Champion, or if they know of a better deal, or if they prefer you order it.)
Just wanted to give y'all an update. It turns out a friend's father is a mechanic for an auto dealership. He also fixes friend's/family's cars on his own time for extra cash. He's agreed to replace our radiator for $440 and change the timing belt/water pump for $365. I asked if the pump had to be changed, he said our make/model van almost always needs both changed at the same time, and it doesn't make much difference in terms of price/labor. He's going to replace the radiator this weekend, then we'll work out a time for the belt/pump.
Thanks again for all the advice. I really appreciate it!
That radiator runs for $300+ at Autozone, so that replacement price isn't as insane as it first seemed, it still ain't the cheapest I've heard of.
Man your car has expensive parts.
Yeah, an original Behr German radiator for my BMW 740iL is only $145 and can be changed in about 15 minutes with just a flat blade screwdriver.
So often I hear that people choose Toyotas/Hondas over a BMW like mine because "parts for BMWs are so expensive." So far, virtually every part I'd have to replace has been less expensive than it's Japanese (and often American) equivalent. In fact, total ownership costs have been lower than most inexpensive newer cars I've seen.
Yep always change the pump when changing the belt it comes put anyway and is not that high for the part. Most also change the hoses if they have never been changed at same time.
its really a challenge to work on those minivans because the engine is literally under the vehicle and the hoods are so small. many of them require the removal of the console etc. there are ways to reach the plugs and stuff without following the standard procedure tho but that depends on the mechanic too
I just replaced my buddies radiator yesterday because he did the glue fix and that failed over time. It cost me 150 for the radiator and antifreeze. It took about a half an hour to do. There's only 2 bolts that hold it on and four bolts to remove the fan. Have your husband do it. My wife can change a radiator. It's a very easy job..
Just wanted to give y'all an update. It turns out a friend's father is a mechanic for an auto dealership. He also fixes friend's/family's cars on his own time for extra cash. He's agreed to replace our radiator for $440 and change the timing belt/water pump for $365. I asked if the pump had to be changed, he said our make/model van almost always needs both changed at the same time, and it doesn't make much difference in terms of price/labor. He's going to replace the radiator this weekend, then we'll work out a time for the belt/pump.
Thanks again for all the advice. I really appreciate it!
-Meghan
Those are good prices that reflect somebody working evenings or weekends without the overhead of a shop, but has the tools and resources. This van does use a relatively expensive radiator. Patching a cracked plastic tank on the radiator would not have been a good idea. It is inevitable that the crack will reopen and spread. The rear three spark plugs are rather difficult to get to on this engine. Recommend camshaft and crankshaft oil seals replaced with the timing belt. At my shop we also replace tensioners when we do a timing belt. Toyota red coolant is recommended --- and pricey.
I dunno if you're being scammed or not, but one thing is for sure: A leaking radiator is nothing to screw with.
If the coolant gets low and the engine overheats, you could easily warp the the head and blow a head gasket and be into a repair costing thousands.
Go to a Midas or Pep Boys (any retail service chain is your best bet) and get it handled sooner than later.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Update!
wow
