[Domino81]

So, the other day I'm off to work. It's 10 of 11 and I just pull out of Dunkin Donuts. I got my coffee, I'm driving, I start to merge onto 81 South to go to work. Well, I totally didn't notice that I was in 2nd. Oops... aw, crap! It bounced off the rev limiter a few times when getting on the highway before I really noticed. Hm... Everything seems ok... Wait, what's this? My steering... it's getting hard to steer... and the lights are getting dim. Oh, God dammit! What is this? Like I need this right now. ****! Wait... there we go. Again... everything seems fine. Until a little while later down the road I notice my temperature gauge, which is usually stuck somewhere on the colder side is now damn near pegged in the red. The car has 170K on it. Believe me when I tell you the car still runs as strong as it ever did. It was babied. And all the miles are highway. Now, aside from my over-elaborate story... I need some help. I was quoted a few prices on a new unit + labor. This is NOT something I can or will tackle myself. I don't have the tools, nor the patience to work on cars. At least not this one. I was quoted @ Firestone of about $700. Another place quoted me $370 + tax and they're a radiator garage. A guy my Mother knows said he could knock off about $200 from the $370, now that sounds shady as hell to me. Is there any options I could explore, maybe find a unit here and just have someone install it? The car has been sitting a few days now. I can't afford to fix it. I hate cars...


Anthony

 

[Guest]

What year/engine is your car? I'm sure somebody can help you track down the parts cheap and you could just pay somebody for installation. You could check junkyards, too.

 

[Xee]

Originally posted by jason8225@Mar 10 2004, 08:55 AM
What year/engine is your car?  I'm sure somebody can help you track down the parts cheap and you could just pay somebody for installation.  You could check junkyards, too. 

Check out his profile. He's got a '96 Duratec.

When I had a cracked radiator a few months ago I called around. Ford said the job would cost me anywhere from $485-$500, a local place said $470, and a shop recommend by a fellow TCCA member said $370. So the prices you got sound about right. And I agree, that $170 job sounds a bit shady.

In the end, I just got the radiator for around $100 (Made in Canada) and my dad helped me remove the old one and install the new one. It wasn't hard, so much as tedious (no air tools). Not sure about the Duratec's though.

 

[SableOHC]

I don't have my shop manuals here to confirm, but I believe the radiator comes out the bottom on our (96 DOHC) cars.

 

[Zack]

Replacing a Gen3 radiator isn't exactly a parking lot job. The radiator itself is about $200. The bumper cover needs to come off to get to the radiator mounts. You'll also need the fuel line removal tool to get the transmission fluid hose off. Then the whole thing drops out the bottom of the car. Overall, it's about a messy 3-4 hours.

 

[Domino81]

Originally posted by Zack@Mar 10 2004, 06:29 PM
Replacing a Gen3 radiator isn't exactly a parking lot job. The radiator itself is about $200. The bumper cover needs to come off to get to the radiator mounts. You'll also need the fuel line removal tool to get the transmission fluid hose off. Then the whole thing drops out the bottom of the car. Overall, it's about a messy 3-4 hours.

That's what I heard. Guess I'll just save a little. Car is just sitting in the driveway as we speak. I have my grandfather's gold, 1992 Plymouth Acclaim with the 3.0 V6. I've taken this car off road, to places no car like this has ANY business being. And the car just keeps running. Almost seems better every day...

I hate money. And cars...

Thanks, guys. I greatly appreciate this.