Please don't tell me to get a new car because that is not an option for me right now. I have to keep this one cobbled together. I have a 93 sunbird and the radiator leaks and steams and gets hot after driving only briefly...can you tell me how much the repairs or replacement are likely to cost?
2007-08-28 13:30:33 · 19 answers · asked by ViSaja 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yeah, I thought the same thing about the master mechanic answer....! 8-0
I should add, I am a single mom with no auto fixing experience or know-how or tools. I wish one of you guys who has done this before would come over and fix it! I hate getting ripped off by car repair places, especially with an old car...! I have not added stop leak and wondered if I should try that or not...I guess I have been told it's bad to do that but I wasn't sure...
2007-08-28 20:57:13 · update #1
Also, I know one causing factor is that there is a small fan at the back of the engine that a mechanic told me wasn't working, which is why my car tended to run hot...we have had to keep the heat on all the time just to keep the engine gauge reading in the cooler ranges, otherwise it would always go to the red especially if we had to sit in traffic...so i do not think it's a blown gasket or whatever, it's that fan not working that stressed out the radiator probably I think.
2007-08-28 21:01:08 · update #2
I own an 89 sunbird. It has a 2.0 engine probably like yours. This is what i did.........
1- Remove silver cooling system cap when engine is cool.
2- the thermostat is located under the silver cooling system cap you just removed
3- Pull it out with hands or pliers(it has a handle)
4- install new thermostat just like the old one came out
5- if car still overheats, remove cap again when cool and let engine run untill it is at operating temperature.
6- with cap removed and motor running at operating temp look inside of radiator opening for water movement
7- if water is moving through system freely than eleminate the water pump as culprit.
8-If fans fail to come on at operating temp then they need replacing(check fan relays before replacing fan)
9-If all these items are in working order(thermostat,water pump, fan relay and electric fan) than you need a new radiator which is no suprise in that particular car. My car showed signs of overheating and I replaced all of the cooling system components because I know that these are great cars. Mine has almost 300 thousand miles on it and still runs great. If your Sunbird overheats PULL IT OVER!!
2007-09-04 16:26:42 · answer #1 · answered by Jay Bailey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First thing I would do is check the fuses.....one might have blown for the fan.....If that's not the problem, then you may have to replace it....For the radiator, call around to your local radiator shops, to see how much they charge to fix a leak. Cause if it's not to bad they can weld it. Most mechanics will say you need to replace it cause they make more money that way....Especially if you are a woman....I know a little about cars and had mechanics TRY to burn me...(I'm not going to mention GOODYEAR mechanics). Cost is about $75-$100 depending where you are. But I would check the net to see how much the parts are too....
If you don't have a lot of money, make sure you do your homework......
Mechanics or their bosses can be sharks........
2007-08-29 12:56:26 · answer #2 · answered by adevilchild38 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can tell rick is a retired master mechanic. He's still trying to rip people off. A new radiator for a Sunbird only costs about $100, so it would be foolish to get a used one from a junkyard or fix the old one.
2007-08-28 21:25:11 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a few things causing your problem, but I've got this weird feeling it's gonna be a blown head gasket. Usually when the head gasket blows out, you will notice either white smoke boiling out your exhaust pipe or water in your oil. But every now and again, all you will get is exhaust gas in your cooling system.
To check for this, wait until vehicle completely cool, remove radiator cap and start vehicle.(make sure fluid level is or near full before starting.) After just a few minutes you should notice water gushing out the fill hole on the radiator.
Most radiators cannot take this extreme pressure and it will cause it to leak in various places around radiator and hoses.
This would explain all of your symptoms.
I hope for you that I'm wrong, but either way good luck!
Hope this helps!
2007-08-28 20:47:52 · answer #4 · answered by michael081278 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would suggest going to the junkyard and try to find a good one ther. new ones are to expensive for anyone to afford. installing them is simple yet difficult at the same time. also if you're using your heat all the time you're actually helping the enging run hotter because the heat runs off its own heat source known as the heater core. if you run your heat then the enginge is making its own heat added with the heater core and it just makes it hotter. try just running the fan in the neutral position which blows both hot and cole because it just runs your fan and it blows the air past your engine. if you lived around me i would change your radiator for you but i dont know where you live. but if you live near chicago il i'd be more than happy to do it. i used to be an auto mechanic and now i work on car specialties such as sound systems and lighting so i still know a bit about how to do everything and i have my own tools. if you do live around here shoot me an e-mail and we'll talk about it otherwise try to find a good guy to help you do it. you never know it may be helpfull for more than just your car ;). jk
2007-09-04 07:33:06 · answer #5 · answered by bravescotlandheart 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A replacement fan motor ran me about $40 for a '93 Buick Skylark. Your car's a GM, so it shouldn't be much different. The radiator is a different story. They're not of all-metal construction these days (even my girlfriend's '88 Regal has plastic) so they can't be soldered or welded. Check out some auto parts websites like www.napaonline.com or www.advanceautoparts.com.
2007-09-03 17:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by Jim R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if you lived near me I'd fixed for you. You buy part me turn wrench. But first if you have a/c start the car and turn it on if the fans don't run that is a problem. No air flow though radiator cause it to over heat. FYI fans are not needed over 35 to 40 mph as you get enough air flow but below that need that fan!
2007-09-02 01:36:14 · answer #7 · answered by RyuSaiKan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't tell us which engine you have, but a radiator should run about $275 for the part. Depending on which engine and whether you have A/C, labor is between 1.7-2.5 hours.
So you're looking at about $500.
A lot of money, but a heckofa lot less than a new car.
Rick
I'm a retired ASE Master/L-1 Technician. I still keep current with the latest automotive technology. Visit my blog for cool articles and TSB's: http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogspot.com
2007-08-28 20:39:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Really depends on the car. The two that I have had to replace were in the $1-200 range. (Dodge ramcharger and Subaru xt) But that was with me doing the work myself, just parts.
Most shops should be able to give a quote over the phone. Call more than one becuase sometimes they vary quite a bit.
2007-08-28 20:36:30 · answer #9 · answered by pilot_peat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are several things that can stop a leaky radiator the cheapest is... first thing that i personally found is cooking ginger just go buy cooking ginger at the store and put 4-5 table spoons into the radiator of course when it COOLS OFF FIRST DO NOT OPEN HOT..... then put 4-5 table spoons into the radiator and refill with water and run at idle for 5 mins or so see if that fixes it that is by far the best so far...but also use pepper from your kitchen but a couple table spoons of that in the radiator also..make sure your water pump is good also it might be one of the problems of the overheating.....good luck
2007-08-28 20:42:39 · answer #10 · answered by nipper2814 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋