[DeTomaso] Radiator needed--or advice, anyway

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/20/11 17 12 26, chrisvkimball at msn.com writes:


> No, it turns out that one of the main pipes leading into the core is 
> leaking--and the radiator has to be taken apart to be fixed at a cost of 
> $450.00.
> 
[snip]

If not, I guess I'll have to pony up the $450.  I already owe them $50 for 
the estimate, so at this point it would really cost me that much more to 
replace rather than it.


>>>Oh, these guys saw you coming, big-time!

First of all, no respectible radiator shop charges a dime for an estimate.  
 So they already screwed you before they even touched the thing.

You're saying that one of the two main pipes that enters the radiator is 
leaking?   That's a ten-minute fix, tops.

By way of comparison, consider these two examples.

I brought a brass Hall Pantera radiator to my local radiator shop, before 
installing it in Lori's Pantera, because it was used and I wanted to ensure 
it was perfect.   They tested it (free, naturally) while I watched, and one 
of the fittings where the temperature switches are installed was leaking.   
So they blasted the whole radiator clean, rodded it out, fixed the leak, 
painted it, and pressure-tested it again to ensure it was good to go.   It was 
ready the next day.

Cost--$40.

I then brought them Relay Rick Moseley's Ferrari 308 radiator which was 
visibly trashed--it had all sorts of stains on the back side from where the 
core had developed numerous leaks.   The core couldn't be saved, so they took 
it completely apart, replaced it with a new heavy-duty Modine core, painted 
it, pressure-tested it etc., and while they were at it, they also cleaned, 
pressure-tested, repaired and painted the A/C condensor radiator.

Cost for both jobs (parts and labor) -- $450 or thereabouts.

I say, go pick up your radiator, do your best to avoid paying the 
extortionate $50 fee (but you did agree to it, so you don't have much to say about 
it), then take it to a different shop!

Mike