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.
My husband has a '94 Camry. The radiator has been leaking. I remember when I had an '89 Tercel a few years back and we got a rebuilt radiator for around $250 or so. The shop is quoting my husband $400 to replace with a new radiator. Does that sound right? They say you can't get a rebuilt one anymore. Help Please, and thanks.
How much for just the radiator? You can call up 1-800-radiator to ask for the cost of a new radiator for your Camry. They sell Koyo brand oem spec radiators with a lifetime warranty. They have local warehouses all over the country and can sometimes deliver the same day. I have one in one of my Civics. My dealership also uses them as they are cheaper than factory oem ones.
At the same time, you would want to replace the connecting radiator hoses and the thermostat also.
Thanks for answering. Can't they just get a rebuilt one for less?
I don't know that you can rebuild it; it should be aluminum so if its leaking then the core probably has a hole in it. A new radiator can't be much more than $125 anyway, plus misc parts, plus labor time.
p.s. make sure they use toyota red coolant. using phosphate green stuff can wreak havoc when used in a cooling system not designed for it.
The green in coolant is a fluorescing dye to help spot leaks. The most common anti freeze is a solution of ethylene glycol and water. Suggestion - always use distilled water for coolant mixtures. Eliminates calcium deposits in the engine from some tap water.
The green in coolant is a fluorescing dye to help spot leaks. The most common anti freeze is a solution of ethylene glycol and water. Suggestion - always use distilled water for coolant mixtures. Eliminates calcium deposits in the engine from some tap water.
There are very different chemical makeups in different types of coolant. And it's very important to use the right one for your car. No, color isn't most important, but green is the common color for phosphate-based coolant ("american" coolant) and I mention the color for that reason - most mechanics are going to use that stuff in anything they fix. Toyota's standard coolant is red and their long-life is pink. For instance Toyota red and Subaru green are the exact same make-up (I read the bottles). So she could use Subaru green, but not off the parts shelf Prestone.
Your 89 Tercel probably has an aluminum or brass tank. In the quest for fuel mileage most radiators are aluminum and plastic to save weight. That makes repairing a loosing proposition.
If you Google for Toyota parts you should be able to find a dealer who carries the Toyota "extra mile" all-brass radiator. $400 is about right for a new Toyota aluminum/plastic radiator.
You want to be using the Toyota (red) antifreeze and mix it 50-50 with distilled water, change that out about every 2 years and you won't have any more corrosion problems. I have never seen a "pro" shop that could be bothered to use distilled water, one reason I always DIY radiator problems. I work in the nuclear industry and let me tell you water purity has a profound effect on corrosion, that's a well-established fact.
Most people don't realize that coolant and brake fluid need to be changed just like oil, for roughly the same reason - just not as often.
Thanks everyone for you speedy and thoughtful responses. Here is what we ended up with: The work was completed today, by the end of the day. Total cost of $384.71. We are in the Southeast, Ga. Labor $146.00, Parts $225.20, and taxes. It seemed fair. I will let my husband know about the fluids to use.
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.
