Cost for radiator replacement

Hi-

I checked the archives, but didn't see a clear answer to this, so...

I have a 1993 Volvo 850 GLT Sedan (automatic). While driving in some
hilly terrain today, I got a coolant light and the engine temp shot up.
Pop the hood to find coolant leaking from somewhere.

Managed to get it home safely by stopping and replacing coolant
frequently. On the way, I stopped at a "radiator"/general service
mechanic (since today's Saturday and it was kind of out there, best I
could do), and the guy there was able to find a visible crack in the
radiator at its coolant tank (not the overflow, but on the radiator
itself where the host enters near the diagnostic module).

In other words, I need a new radiator.

The guy I saw quoted me $280 for the radiator and about $125 for labor.
His shop isn't really convenient (in fact, there's no way I'm going all
the way back there), but is this a reasonable price for the repair?

Can I get away with taking the car to Pep Boys to have them replace it,
or do I need a Volvo dealer/mechanic to do it? Speaking of which, any
good places to have this work done in Pittsburgh, PA, preferably in the
Oakland/Squirrel Hill/Shadyside area? (I had my car at the dealer a
couple weeks ago to have the air conditioning fixed...ended up with a
new control unit and blower fan, to the tune of $1000+, so I'd rather
not put my wallet through their torture again).

Thanks!

Noah

 

FYI...

Pep Boyz gets $75/hr and hires less skilled techs.
The Audi dealer (yeah not an exact comparison, but close) gets $80, and has
factory trained techs.

I hate Pep Boyz, when we had little money they were our choice because they
gave us a credit card long before we could get a visa/master card.
They have so so techs and many of their parts are low priced but wear out
quite fast.

I have some money now and only buy oil and batteries at Pep Boyz.

R&R a radiator is easy, I suggest you find a good tech and stick with
her/him. This resource might help:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

Best luck!

 

FCP Groton, the internet parts vendor, sells a new replacement radiator
for $205.

You are best off to replace it yourself; while you are at it, replace
the hoses to the radiator (FCP Groton sells them, too), and what the
heck, the thermostat could be replaced to, with the coolant of course.

If you really don't care about saving money and cannot wait a few days
for the parts to arrive by mail, take the car to a Radiator Repair Shop
and ask for a quote to repair the radiator.

Lots of time radiators can be repaired, usually via soldering them if
they are metal.

A repaired radiator should cost less, and still work OK.

 

swapping out the radaitor in a 1993 volvo is aprox 4-5 hrs...if you
know what you are doing and have done a few in the past....1st
time? add 30% more time...(imho)....

 

Why would it take so long?

Drain the coolant, detach hoses, undo hold-downs and remove, right?

 

I forget all the details (maybe someone on the board has a shop manual
w/the steps and time)...i was suprsied at the time required for my 1993
1940t...i thing a lot of the front end needs re-arranging to get to
it...i had
the same job done at my fav and trusted ind vovlo shop, and it was,
like
3 or 4 hundred w/a nice factory (don't use the cheap ebay chineese)
volvo
radaitor.....good luck, careful w/the cooling system...you don't want
to cook
a volvo motor....

 

Right except there are a few other things in ther way.

Raise car, remove under radiator shroud. Drain coolant from radiator
petcock. Drain coolant from engine. Disconnect lower radiator hose.
Remove radiator holdown bolts. Remove bolts holding condensor or
intercooler to radiator. Lower car. Remove cooling fan. Disconnect
wiring harness ties so that they can be reused. Remove the radiator
shroud and upper radiator hose. Remove feed hose from coolant reservoir.
Remove relays and relay rack from top area of radiator. Remove whatever
other plastic stuff that is in the way. Disconnect the transmission
cooler lines. Bend the retaining clips the minimum amount to slide them
rearward over the hose. Pull the radiator upwards out of the lower core
support. Install in roughly reverse order. Turn Climate control to full
heat. Evacuate cooling system and refill with fresh coolant. If you
cannot use this method, refill coolant and run motor until thermostat
starts to open and coolant starts to rise in reservoir. Drive car slowly
around the block antil coolant light comes on, refill to mark, repeat
until all air is purged from system and coolant level remains constant.

Bob

 

Noaha...tell us how long it ends up taking..i am
interested ...thanx...

 

I ended up not taking it to Pep Boys based on a bad experience a friend
of mine had with this particular one (charging for parts used in a
repair at a rate of 2.5 times what they'd charge for the part cash and
carry). I took it to Lifetime Automotive Center in Pittsburgh, which
was professional, convenient, and reasonable.

They actually had a radiator in stock and were able to finish it in <5
hours from dropoff. Cost was about $600, which is more than I wanted,
but about what I expected based on looking up prices for actual Volvo
radiators and calling the dealer. Included flush, fill, and testing of
the system.

Problem gone (no noticeable leaking) and no more engine overheating
(although, I haven't driven it much since I got it back). They found
four or five visible cracks in the radiator once they took it out.

Thanks,

Noah

 

thanx....