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"TCM" <IAmTCM@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1165688232.173905.99190@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I recently took my 95 Toyota Corolla to a toyota dealership to repair a
> squeaky belt that was causing my power-steering to go out. While the
> car was their, one of their mechanics said he noticed a hole in the
> radiator. They are suggesting that they install a new radiator at $617
> for the parts and $311 for labor. I asked them if it was possible to
> just repair the hole with soddering or something else and they said no.
>
> Does anyone know if it can or cannot be repaired? I haven't seen the
> hole myself as the car is still in the shop for the belts. Also, does
> the quote sound right? We're approaching a point where the cost of that
> fix is getting very close to the purchase price of my vechicle.
>
> The car has 89,000 miles on it btw.
>
>
> Thanks
>[/color]
It seems a little strange to me that (since you don't indicate you've had to
refill the radiator because of this leak) that they've suddenly found a leak
in it. I'd want to have a good hard look at the radiator before
authorizing them to replace it. I'd also check around and find out
competing quotes for replacing it if necessary.
Not necessarily related, but years ago I had a Peugeot which had a faulty
head gasket allowing coolant into the engine, and making an emulsion of the
oil. The only available Peugeot mechanic wanted about $1200 to replace the
head gasket (and was quite surly to boot, making it a "take it or leave it"
deal) so I went home, got a bottle of black **** called "radiator
stop-leak", poured the stuff in and changed the oil, and drove it without
problems for a year or more before I sold it, still with the repaired gasket
doing its job. Try it out. It may be $5 well spent.