Got the 300ZX diagnosis

"Dsscats" (dsscats) 10/04/2014 at 16:47 • Filed to: None

0

19

It's a clogged radiator.

They want $1000 to replace the radiator and thermostat. $675 for just the radiator. I'm seeing if I can source one from someone else to just need labor.

My heart feels like this car looks.

Jedidiah > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 16:48

3

$1000?

They're insane.

I got a massive aluminum 4-core radiator installed for about 500

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 16:50

0

Well, $1000 for all that is a bit too much. I'd spend 300 max on a radiator myself.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 16:51

1

Why not just unclog the radiator? Also, what's it clogged with? I once bought a used radiator from somebody and found it was clogged with a mouse nest.

Also, I don't know if it's a turbo or not, but RockAuto shows that radiator at $100...

Dsscats > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 10/04/2014 at 16:56

0

Non-turbo. I think they're trying to use an OEM Nissan replacement, which seems to run about $350, but I've found a replacement for $150ish. I'm seeing if I can get that and cut the cost.

Dubblewhopper > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 17:17

0

Checkout Koyorad, or http://www.thezstore.com/ .

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 17:34

0

How hard could it be to replace a radiator? Why not try and fix it yourself? Save money and learn something new, what could go wrong?

Dsscats > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 10/04/2014 at 17:36

0

1. Still lose $120 of labor

2. No tools

3. Nothing to hold coolant

4. No experience

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 17:39

0

1) So What

2) Buy tools, their not too expensive. Plus you'd use them for decades to come, think of them as an investment.

3) Go to home depot, Ask for some free orange buckets. They'll give them to you.

4) You do stuff like this to gain experience, You think that people are born with the ability to do things? No, they learn through trial and error.

unpredictable_swerve > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 10/04/2014 at 17:56

0

orange buckets are $2.50 each.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > unpredictable_swerve 10/04/2014 at 17:59

0

Still, super cheap

unpredictable_swerve > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 18:00

0

I say do it yourself. I just installed S2000 seats and seat heaters into my 93 MR2, I have never done either of these things. For a radiator, depending on how much room you have, it could be as simple as draining it, pulling 2 hoses, removing 4 bolts, and reversing the process. It could be more complex, but if you take your time, keep track of everything, and but a simple $20 tool set, you could have this done for under $200. If you have never done a the most at before, just let the shop do it. And seriously, find another shop. No way in hell that should be $1000. I had an entirely new engine put in my car for $5k, including parts AND labor!

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 10/04/2014 at 18:02

1

The water pump on my f150 crapped out on me and this was pretty much the route I took. I had basic tools, a bucket, Haynes manual and pretty much 0 experience with engines.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 10/04/2014 at 18:19

0

Thats the way to go, If you never try, you'll never learn. When I get a car, Im doing every bit of maintenance myself first, If I end up not being able to do it then I'll take it to a shop. I have next to no practical experience working on cars, but I plan on learning as time goes on. Im guessing everything went fine with your f150?

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 10/04/2014 at 18:31

1

exactly, plus now with YouTube you can watch someone replace every part of every car.

The f150 turned out fine. My knuckles didn't since I scraped them so many times. After that was new pulleys, belt, MSD system, power steering pump and so forth. Great truck, still kicking myself to this for selling it

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 19:28

0

Denver is 100% right on this one. you obviously have more time than money. $1000 for a radiator is completely ridiculous. like you said you found the Rad for $150.00 and a thermostat is $15.00 tools needed are like $50.00. just get a metric socket set a set of vise grips and a set of screwdrivers and that's everything you need. plus you have a garage to work in. you and a buddy over a few beers can get this done in an evening no problem.

$250 if you do it yourself > $1000 from a stealership

don't do something ridiculous like letting the dealership fix it you are more than capable of fixing this yourself even if you have never done it before. The diagnostic is the hardest part. replacing parts is easy.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 10/04/2014 at 19:29

0

you are 100% correct on this one. he should really do it himself for the learning experience.

Dsscats > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/04/2014 at 19:35

0

I'm not spending $1000. It's getting done for about $450. And the fact is, this isn't the time for me to do work on my own car.

I understand I'll get a ton of hate for this, but I don't know how and I don't really want to learn right now. I have other things to focus on, I don't have the tools, I don't have the space really and I have no one to direct me. I'd rather learn to work on my car when I have time to screw up and not need to worry about time.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dsscats 10/04/2014 at 19:41

0

fair enough! you know your situation better than any of us. if its more convenient to get it done by a professional then go for it. If you were in my area I'd be more than happy to help.

Dsscats > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 10/04/2014 at 19:44

1

I appreciate the kind response. Read my newest post and it makes more sense.

P.S. The negative part wasn't referring to you.