Good Price For Radiator Replacement?

[Bigmikelakers]

Theres this shop I found in my area that only works on Toyotas. I called today and he said it would cost 432 for a new radiator plus thermostat and coolant. Is that a good price? Not in a hurry to get a new radiator but I'm just trying to prevent the milkshake from occuring.

 

[Kung]

How much is he charging for the radiator? I just got a Koyo A1998 radiator from Go-part.com for $119 plus about $15 S/H.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

No idea. I should have asked him that. I thought it was a good deal cuz this guy only uses Toyota parts since hes only works on Toyotas. Plus, I heard stories of guys paying almost a grand for the same thing from the stealership.

 

[Kung]

I'm not sure there's anything 'wrong' with OEM parts; but by the same token, 'OEM parts' are known for breaking down and causing the whole pink milkshake thing. Many people here run the Koyo A1998 and have for years, with no problems.

Just food for thought. But I'd ask for an itemized list. If he has a problem with it, I'd go elsewhere. I don't think it's a bad deal - I think I've heard of others paying $350 to $450 for the same thing. But still; always good to get info.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

I'm glad you mentioned about the OEM parts. Wouldn't Toyota by now release OEM radiators that have had their designs revised so the milkshake wouldn't happen? I can see radiators failing on radiators made from 96-02 but radiators in 2012?

 

[T4R_Finally]

Depends on what you consider good. You can probably buy the parts and fluids you need to do it yourself for half that price. Is it worth the other half to you to not have to do the labor? If so, then it must be a good price. I have a new radiator on the way. Koyo for less than $120 shipped. I have about $50 in coolant ready. Add in some misc stuff, a decent weather day, and a 6 pack and its done.

 

[LittleCaesar]

The Nissan Frontier 05-07 models have had their milkshakes occur as early as 60xxx miles. I have never been able to find out if Nissan used the same company as Toyota for their radiators but I do know that Nissan used another company to make their Frontier radiators after many milkshakes occurred in the past couple of years.

$432 for all OEM in So Cal is not too bad IMHO.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

I never understood why nissan issued a recall for their milkshake problem but toyota never did. Was toyotas milkshake problem only with the 4runner or did it effect the tacoma and t100 too?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Bigmike,

I do not know that answer. I know that the 2.7l engine uses the same radiator as the 3.4l engine, yet I think I can only recall one instance of the radiator failing for that engine.

Since you are paying that price, I'd go ahead and get a new radiator cap as well. OEM.

 

[l3igl3ang]

Never let a shop buy the part for u they inflate the cost upto %30 more then what it origianly cost! New raditor at autozone is $170 and thermostat is around $16 and coolint $30 probly max and thats useing the high $ stuff. So your looking at around $230 for evrything probly and thats buying local u could probly get the raditor cheaper online. And all these things are easy as hell to change i had to do my raditor just last week it sprung a leak paid a shop to patch it works like a charm.

If your going to pay the shop to do the work then always buy the parts and take it to them.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Mike, even if you're not a big wrencher, this is an easy job. $200 ish in parts and the knowledge and satisfaction of doing it yourself. If you bought a 3rd Gen you're going to have to learn to wrench sometime.

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Thanks for your input guys. But, having me replace a radiator on my truck would be like throwing a rookie quarterback who has never played a game in the pros to start the super bowl. I'll leave that to a seasoned professional. I do plan to get a scanguage and install it myself though.

 

[Brentif]

Mike, call teddy at Mavrik Motorsports, he should be able to offer you a better deal than that.

714 342-8097

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Mike, call teddy at Mavrik Motorsports, he should be able to offer you a better deal than that.

714 342-8097

Does he use OEM parts? Ill be happy with a koyo.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Thanks for your input guys. But, having me replace a radiator on my truck would be like throwing a rookie quarterback who has never played a game in the pros to start the super bowl. I'll leave that to a seasoned professional. I do plan to get a scanguage and install it myself though.

If you know someone that will do quality work at a fair price and don't like getting your hands dirty, then nothing wrong with that. If you just go out and shop work based on the lowest bidder, then don't assume that just because they are getting paid to do it, they will do a better job than you would. I'm no "wrench", I work indoors at a computer all day. I was always intimidated by anything more than an oil change. Then, a few years ago I bought a Harley-Davidson. After the first couple of trips to the dealer's service department, and finding a forum community similar to this one, I decided to take a crack at things myself. With some decent tools, access to a wealth of online information, and a positive mental attitude, I've surprised myself at the things I have been able to do on my own. And, as mentioned above, there is some pride that goes along with it. No more coming home after having expensive work done and being disappointed because it was done well or wasn't done correctly. There are things I still wouldn't try on my own, but I've gotten pretty good at figuring out whether projects are something I can handle or not. I haven't done it yet, but I've researched it, and swapping a radiator would fall in the easy category in my book. By the time I sold my bike, I had about $5000 in added parts and modifications out of pocket. If I had paid the dealer to do them, it would have been closer to $8000.

 

[Brentif]

Mike,

I called Teddy and talked to him. He will have a price to me shortly, I will ask what brand of parts is etc. Do you need the hoses replaced as well?

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Thanks man. Yeah the hoses probably should be replaced too. An OEM radiator would be great but Koyo is good. Can he install a tranny cooler too?