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Topic: Radiator is leaking again (Read 2184 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #20 –
Always go to the manufacturer first and check prices. Also, check the small shops they supply if the manufacture won't give you a break. Small shops may also have a better price on the whole job. A good technician is a good technician no matter where he or she works.

Pierce

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #21 –
I called Atlas, they quoted me $40 more than FT, and said a unit wouldn't be available until after they sent to the two to FT that are on order.  So, saved $40 and will get one sooner by buying from FT.

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #22 –
Makes sense to me.

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #23 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Always go to the manufacturer first and check prices. Also, check the small shops they supply if the manufacture won't give you a break. Small shops may also have a better price on the whole job. A good technician is a good technician no matter where he or she works.

Pierce

Does you radiator cap  release excess pressure? L.S.

Just to expand on what Pierce has already said:

A small one-man shop, such as the guy I use on Bow, NH
Can order in the tanks or re-use yours.
Order in the core -- that's not negotiable.
Transfer your mounting hardware or order in new.  Your wallet, your time.

The guy in Bow, after quoting a new four-section Volvo commercial generator radiator,
began putting the leaky radiator back together to keep the gravel pit in operation,
and discovered a damaged 0-ring and a loose screw in thread insert . . .

Lucky for him, the customer decided to have the new radiator built anyway as a spare.

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #24 –
Update - Foretravel called and my radiator is in.  They got 2, so if someone is in need of one, they have one left right now.  Now to find someone to install it.  I called Temecula Valley RV and they quoted me $2500.  FT said it should be a 12hr job, so that's over $200/hr?  Sounds way high.

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #25 –
Foretravel is $140 an hour (today's current rate)  FWIW

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #26 –
That's still about $800 less for them to do it than what I was quoted from Temecula Valley RV.  I just don't want to have to drive 1400 miles each way for a 12 hr job.

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #27 –
1,400 miles is about $800 in fuel...

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #28 –
Foretravel is $140 an hour (today's current rate)  FWIW

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #29 –
In my worst case scenario, I can't imagine driving more than 6 miles into town to a mom and pop radiator shop. Driving 800 miles one way seems like insanity to me. Where ever there are big trucks, there are big radiators. And they don't drive far and don't pay big bucks to have theirs fixed/changed.

Pierce

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #30 –
One solution a radiator repair guy told me years ago was to take the radiator cap off the radiator, back the vehicle out from under the cap, then drive a newer vehicle under the cap.
Works every time. >:D  :))

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #31 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
I called Atlas, they quoted me $40 more than FT, and said a unit wouldn't be available until after they sent to the two to FT that are on order.  So, saved $40 and will get one sooner by buying from FT.
Glad that FT has changed.  When I put my radiator in a few years ago, they were about twice the price I got from Atlas.  If you are interested, I posted photos of my radiator replacement (I did it in my side yard), so you can at least understand why a shop would charge a lot for the labor.

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #32 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
I called Atlas, they quoted me $40 more than FT, and said a unit wouldn't be available until after they sent to the two to FT that are on order.  So, saved $40 and will get one sooner by buying from FT.
Glad that FT has changed.  When I put my radiator in a few years ago, they were about twice the price I got from Atlas.  If you are interested, I posted photos of my radiator replacement (I did it in my side yard), so you can at least understand why a shop would charge a lot for the labor.
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
Update - Foretravel called and my radiator is in.  They got 2, so if someone is in need of one, they have one left right now.  Now to find someone to install it.  I called Temecula Valley RV and they quoted me $2500.  FT said it should be a 12hr job, so that's over $200/hr?  Sounds way high.
If I had to do it again, I would pay someone.  $2500 sounds reasonable.
 

Re: Radiator is leaking again

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
Glad that FT has changed.  When I put my radiator in a few years ago, they were about twice the price I got from Atlas.  If you are interested, I posted photos of my radiator replacement (I did it in my side yard), so you can at least understand why a shop would charge a lot for the labor.If I had to do it again, I would pay someone.  $2500 sounds reasonable.
Luckily I have Fourdayoff and DSD nearby, and they basically did most of the job for me.  I was more of a tool gofer.  These guys are like watching a NASCAR pit crew at work.  Here was the thread I made after doing Radiator replacement