Fair price for a radiator replacement? (Mazda Protege5)

[Scavengergirl]

I was told that the radiator in my 4 speed Proteg5 is 'split' and needs to be replaced. The garage I took it to said it would cost me @ $475 for them to do it. That seems high to me, so does anyone know what I should expect to be charged at a garage? This price came from Jack Williams which is more of a tire place.

What would be a fair price to pay an individual to replace it? Looks like I can get the part for somewhere between $50-140. That opens a whole new can of worms, which brand can I trust? I assume I'll have the car for another 5 years or so and want to be sure it lasts at least that long.

If I can buy it from Amazon, I'd like to. Here's what I'm seeing available:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

The cheap one is the one I'm wondering about specifically - Sunbelt Radiators $49.95 & FREE SHIPPING
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Brian_K]

not sure how much it should normally cost to pay for labor at a shop, but as far as the part goes, i'd go with an OEM replacement like this.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/01-03-MAZDA...Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c3f362248&vxp=mtr

 

[Bebotech]

To me that is a bit high for just replacing a radiator. You can get the radiator very cheap at partstrain.com and to put it in is very simple. I might even be able to help you if you are near, I am from Reading, PA.

 

[hotcracker69]

i got it from Rockauto, $70 bucks, vista pro i think is the brand
you would surprise how easy it is to replace the radiator in the P5. i have done it, takes about 45 min.

 

[ScratchNSniff]

Very easy to change out, and that price quote is sky high...

 

[Scavengergirl]

Sky high indeed. I just received a quote from another garage (Jackson's Automotive) for $240.

It doesn't look like a complicated process, though nothing I'm going to venture into myself as I don't even have a level driveway to work in, let alone a garage!

 

[CTt3P5]

That quote seems right for a shop, similiar to what Firestone in Easton quoted me a couple of years ago. I picked up a rad from another member (BNIB) for just over a $100 and spent another $100 or so for OEM hoses (upper and lower), t-stat, rad cap and coolant. Took a couple of hours to do in the driveway.

And no my quote from Firestone didn't include the extras which I'm guessing your quote from Jackson's doesn't either. That said, how many miles are on your car and when was the system last drained/filled? If miles are high and it's been a while I'd ask them for a quote to include those items. In the end the extra you pay now will pay off vs. something failing months down the line and you having to pay for another drain/fill on top of the parts.

 

[Scavengergirl]

Good tip. Jackson's said radiator, fluid & labor, but I'm not sure about anything more & I don't know what all the other quote included, so many DETAILS! ugh

What other things might need replaced? Hoses, temp gauge, pump?

They hit me blindside with the whole radiator replacement. I'd taken it in for an oil leak & they said that was leaking, too. Not sure how I could have missed leaking antifreeze when I was already keeping an eye on the oil leak.

 

[hotcracker69]

Good tip. Jackson's said radiator, fluid & labor, but I'm not sure about anything more & I don't know what all the other quote included, so many DETAILS! ugh

What other things might need replaced? Hoses, temp gauge, pump?

They hit me blindside with the whole radiator replacement. I'd taken it in for an oil leak & they said that was leaking, too. Not sure how I could have missed leaking antifreeze when I was already keeping an eye on the oil leak.

$240 seem to be ok price, fluid needs to be properly recycle, make sure you get some kind of warranty with the work. check crack in the hoses, otherwise straight replacement should be ok.

 

[rit14623]

I was told that the radiator in my 4 speed Proteg5 is 'split' and needs to be replaced. The garage I took it to said it would cost me @ $475 for them to do it. That seems high to me, so does anyone know what I should expect to be charged at a garage? This price came from Jack Williams which is more of a tire place.

What would be a fair price to pay an individual to replace it? Looks like I can get the part for somewhere between $50-140. That opens a whole new can of worms, which brand can I trust? I assume I'll have the car for another 5 years or so and want to be sure it lasts at least that long.

If I can buy it from Amazon, I'd like to. Here's what I'm seeing available:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

The cheap one is the one I'm wondering about specifically - Sunbelt Radiators $49.95 & FREE SHIPPING
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

Any input would be appreciated!

Taking a car to get repaired at a tire shop isn't the best idea, financially. It takes less than an hour to replace. No special tools required. You would be paying about $300 in labor for a one hour job. Might as well go to Mazda dealership service.

Although it's relatively easy to replace a radiator by yourself, you need to have some tools.
Phillips screwdriver to unscrew radiator hold-down clamps and to unscrew the fluid drain plug.
You need a basic slip-joint fliers to loosen the hose clamps.
You'll want a radiator fluid/oil catch pan to hold the fluid you are going to drain. Tools-wise, that's it.
If you want walk-through directions, just ask. I did it myself.

 

[rit14623]

Sky high indeed. I just received a quote from another garage (Jackson's Automotive) for $240.

It doesn't look like a complicated process, though nothing I'm going to venture into myself as I don't even have a level driveway to work in, let alone a garage!

You don't need to jack up the car for a radiator replacement. Access underneath is easy. There's a pre-cut access flap/door in the lower spoiler shield that you flip down to get to the radiator drain plug. You don't need to jack the front up for that.

 

[duffbuster243]

Where in Pa Are you located? Price does seem fairly high as I have changed many radiators in these car's in less than an hour.