1996 E-150 Radiator

kevinheap · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2006, 01:00 PM

I just took my van down for an oil change and shock and a battery. I can turn a wrench on some stuff but these was easier to farm out as I am really busy.

Shop says radiator is starting to leak a little at a top seam and it will run about 350 to fix. Can you sometimes repair raditators or for a 10 year old probably best to replace if it is original, I suppose. Is the job that tough to do myself?

Also, if we can talk about different shops, is 320 for a set of shock from brakes plus a decent deal? I did not want to get into the labor, I hope the product is decent, they have a lifetime warranty, I dont have the name now.

Hope the questions are not too beginner. Any help appreciated.

kevin-11 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 03:41 AM

Have a '95 E-150 5.0L, Replaced Radiator for $250 from Cap-A-Radiator. They are palstic so I am not sure if you if you can patch it. 10 years is not too old if anti freeze was changed. Maybe an epoxy would do it. Seems like alot for shocks, labor is a killer on them. I bought shocks off of EBay and had shop install them all for less than $200.

Clubwagon · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 09:56 AM

I had the same problem with the radiator on my '95 E-150. It was leaking at the seam where the top cap met the core. I had it out to fix the leak three times before I gave up and replaced it. $350 sounds about right to have a shop do the work. I paid $187 for a new radiator and installed it myself. If they buy a rad, mark it up some, throw in coolant and an hour and a half labor to change it, $350 would be about right.

Is the 320 for brakes or shocks?

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

kevinheap · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 11:32 AM

89.40 for Monroe Reflex Shocks (each) 65 for labor for shock. They have a lifetime warranty. I just dont have the time to mess with ordering or doing some of the work myself. I put a steering pump in my bmw 318ti because I did not want to spend the money. It took a while but it felt good to do it myself. I dont see why they have to ding you 19.50 for the labor to install a battery at brakesplus though.

Clubwagon · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 12:29 PM

Autozone/Advance Autoparts will install the battery for free. $65/per shock sounds high for labor. And my KYBs were something like $50/each. $89/each for monroes sounds high too.

Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT

kevinheap · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 12:42 PM

Maybe 89 for the Monroes is a little high but I live in the part of town were it all costs a little more. The guy shops at the store were I work part time as a checker and I know they will be a little high on some things but autozone cannot do everything and I just want to take care of it all at one place. I suppose they will start seeing how much I know about cars and maybe get away with a little here and there as they can. I wish I knew a good method to give a new mechanic a test to see how honest they were. I had to replace a little vacuum hose because I was getting a code on it and that would have been a good test becuase a mechanic should spot and fix that very cheap if he is good.

The shocks were 65 in labor for all of them with lifetime warranty. I might have saved a little if I shopped around but like I say I want to give this shop a chance and after a while I can look at all there work and form a decision. He was honest enough to say I could let the radiator go for a while but that is a no brainer.

Would like to find some good storage for my 150. I use it for window cleaning. I hear weather guard has some stuff.