Blown Radiator

I posted awhile back that we had some work done on The Classic. Truck's been running great since then ($2100 later) although the husband said in the last 30 days the mileage per tank has decreased about 50 miles. Tuesday 5:30 am The Classic started fine but the heater wouldn't kick on for about 20 minutes (and its not that cold in Southern CA). Later that day around 11:45 am the husband is driving to the gym and the check engine light comes on but truck is still running ok. Husband goes into the gym to worry about it later. Then he drives down the street (less than a 1/4 mile) and the truck starts overheating. He goes into the store to let the truck cool down. Comes out about 30 minutes later and the truck won't start. Call AAA and have the truck towed to the trusted mechanic. He just called and said the radiator blew and it'll be about $1100 to fix. Also said there's no guarantee that there wasn't severe damage to the engine driving it when it was overheated. Won't know until he replaces the radiator. We trust the mechanic but wanted a second or third opinion - does this sound right?

 

$1100 for a radiator is insane. I got a denso/installed it myself for 120$

 

Also need to replace the freezer plugs, thermostat, and hoses. Does that all add up to $1100? And could driving it less than half a mile blow the engine too?

 

Yes - radiator, freeze plugs, thermostat, hoses and labor = $1100

 

Freeze plugs?? Never heard of doing those for an overheat...

Your rad may just be a symptom of over heating, but not necessarily the cause of the overheating.

If you let it cool off and it still won't start, that's more likely an issue inside the engine, not the radiator...

I once thought my radiator was bad (my old 86 4Runner) because the 22RTE was over heating, replaced the radiator because that was the cheapest/easiest fix, but that didn't help. Then I thought (more like *hoped*) it was a head gasket. Replaced that too. Didn't help. Blown motor... Wife named it "Christine"...

 

Don't do it's too expensive. Was there coolant in the radiator. Check the oil also

 

On one hand other than tires, oil changes, etc. we haven't really put a lot of $ into a 19 year old truck with 200,000+ miles (original engine). The other hand we'll be putting about $3200 into it over the last 5 months. Still cheaper than a new car payment but ouch.

 

Yes, there was coolant in the radiator and the oil looked fine.

 

Still a bit confused on the freeze plug thing... I'm no professional mechanic, but that's not something I've heard of doing in this situation.

 

A lot of this is second hand from my husband but it appears it's not just the radiator but a few different things. Just last week we had an offer from somebody to buy it for $5000.

 

So far this year we've replaced the O2 sensor and valve covers then fuel injectors. Then replaced the catalytic converter. Then possibly this brings us up to $3200.

 

I'm going to go back home, round up all the receipts and total it up for this year. Then go have a drink.

 

Get some clarification either form your husband and/or the mechanic RE: freeze plug...

Yeah, you're about to dump a bunch of money into it, but like you said, it's still cheaper than a new car.

Most of us are emotionally attached to our trucks, just like most people who drive old cars. Old cars take more TLC, but that's part of deal, and most are okay with it. A lot of people's suspension and tires cost more than the truck is worth, lol...

It's up to you if it's worth it. If you feel it's starting to nickle and dime you, look towards a new truck. Just sell it to someone on this site, we'll take good care of it, and promise not to bob the bed and hack off the IFS for a solid axle swap, at least for a few weeks...

 

This is good advice regardless... lol

 

I wouldn't change the freeze plugs unless they are leaking. I'd also change the hoses and t stat. 1100 sound high to me, but I don't take my truck to mechanics.

 

Yes, if you're talking about a Bentley.

$3,200? Thats complete long travel suspension or Multiple engine rebuilds around here.

Lets hope the bars are a little cheaper then the scam tree mechanics around your neck of the woods.

Bawaha, possibly.