does the price of this repair seem high - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

51gator50 · 03-04-2006, 07:47 PM

hi all. i have a 98 camry and it needs a new radiator. the repair cost for radiator, radiator cap, and thermostat is $540. i think this is rather high since i see replacement radiators online for about $110. keep in mind of course that the $540 is for parts and labor. thanks

***RningOnFumes*** · 03-04-2006, 07:51 PM

it is high, if you are the least bit mechanically inclined, you can get away with paying about 200- 250 at most:

here's homework to read, see if you may want to try it your self

http://toyotanation.com/forum/t112582.html

bronzemaxell · 03-04-2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51gator50

hi all. i have a 98 camry and it needs a new radiator. the repair cost for radiator, radiator cap, and thermostat is $540. i think this is rather high since i see replacement radiators online for about $110. keep in mind of course that the $540 is for parts and labor. thanks

2 year ago i replaced my leaky radiator on 5sfe, cost me $200 part and labor and coolant flush at the local shop,

ShawnM · 03-04-2006, 08:40 PM

$540 does seem high considering its fairly easy to replace a radiator in a camry. Of course it depends on where your getting it done and what quality parts theyre using. You could always shop around for the better price, but I would be careful about putting cheap parts in your car.

51gator50 · 03-04-2006, 08:41 PM

i'm going to get quotes from alot of other shops. thanks and i'll take more opinions.

project92camry · 03-05-2006, 02:27 AM

WHERE U GETTING IT DONE? AT A DEALERSHIP OR AT A JOY SHMO SHOP ?
I WOULD JUST BUY THE PARTS AND DO IT MYSELF BUT MAYBE U DONT HAVE MANY TOOLS TO WORK WITH.

51gator50 · 03-05-2006, 10:03 AM

i'm getting it done by a repair shop that i have used before. i do minor things to my cars but not brave enough to put in a new radiator.

Mike Gerber · 03-05-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51gator50

i'm getting it done by a repair shop that i have used before. i do minor things to my cars but not brave enough to put in a new radiator.

Replacing a radiator yourself is a fairly easy DIY task. Read the link RningOnFumes provided you and see if it is something you would feel comfortable doing yourself. The link is for a generation 3 but your generation 4 is similiar.

That said, the price does sound high. Do as you mentioned above and call around to a few shops for other estimates.

Mike

Cyorke · 03-05-2006, 03:28 PM

Yeah IDY on teh radiator is fairly simple. Four hoses, two for coolant ant two for trans cooler lines. Two mounts on the top and the fan/shroud assembly and you are pretty much done. You just have to figure out what to do with the old coolant if you replace it or you can reuse it if you want.