Mitsubishi Lancer 2007 - Engine Overheating - Is This Quote Reasonable?

Danger on 04/03/2022 - 15:55
Last edited 04/03/2022 - 16:18 by 1 other user

Today I have received the quote to fix my car that is having an overheating issue since last week. I'm no longer driving this car except I took it to the mechanic. Car heat indicator goes to 'H" within 5 minutes of driving the car.

Car is Mitsubishi Lancer 2007 Sedan.

Just checking with you guys to see if this quote is reasonable or overpriced ?

Quote:

NEW RADIATOR: $495.00
THERMOSTAT: $43.95
THERMOSTAT "O" RING: $9.95
HOSE CLAMP X X : $19.80
ANTIFREEZE/ANTIBOIL X 8.00 : $60
(LABOUR) R&R RADIATOR &THERMOSTATASSEMBLY : $247.00
All prices estimated are GST inclusive $879.30

Poll Options expired

  • 67
    Reasonable
  • 7
    Expensive
Automotive Car Mitsubishi

Comments

  • npc on 04/03/2022 - 16:01
    +3

    Is your radiator leaking? I suggest starting with a thermostat replacement to see if that helps.

    Also, 5 minutes is way too quick for an engine to go from cold to overheat, maybe there are some other issues - temp. sensor, blocked coolant lines, no coolant or even broken head gasket.

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 16:08

      Thanks..Yes, mechanic said that radiator is leaking. I haven't been told anything other than this.

      • npc on 04/03/2022 - 16:13

        Then this quote looks reasonable. If anything you can find a radiator cheaper - there seem to be some options online for $150-300. But know knows what the quality is:)

      • TrustNoBody on 05/03/2022 - 08:07

        i wonder if there’s a stop leak u can put in it n get thermostat changed ..

    • 82norm on 05/03/2022 - 09:50

      Disagree, have 2006 Corolla and within 5 mins temp, shot over 1/2 and maxed out. Radiator leak.

  • Crow K on 04/03/2022 - 16:04
    +1

    "O" Ring seems about $0.15 to $0.25 higher than I'd be expecting - I'd ask them to provide you with an audited supply log of their purchases of that part to see if they're not charging you February 2022 prices for something they might have had laying around since October 2021 or so.

    Then again, they haven't itemised the Headlight Fluid (is it free??) so maybe they're doing you a deal.

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 16:10

      Thanks..Mechanic said they don't have the parts on hand and going to order. So, i don't see any reason to ask for the audited supply logs

      • Crow K on 04/03/2022 - 16:13
        +3

        Sounds like you've got a pristine ring!

      • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2022 - 16:13
        +2

        he was being sarcastic, no such thing as headlight fluid. it's like asking for a left handed screwdriver

      • jjooeell on 16/03/2022 - 12:58

        Old mate’s taking the piss though

  • Hybroid on 04/03/2022 - 16:07
    +3

    Have you asked for a non-OEM radiator? $500 seems steep when third party ones are $100-150. Potential savings made there.

    e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/162262912814

    Sure may be a quality difference but it's a 15 year old car.

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 16:13

      NO, I haven't asked for non-OEM radiator. I guess i can call them back to see if they can procure third party ones

      • pharkurnell on 04/03/2022 - 16:26
        +1

        Are you keeping the car?
        If so get a good one
        If your selling it get the chinese made no warranty from someone with great feedback like that.

        • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 16:41

          Just checked with the mechanic and the parts listed are after market/third party.

  • payless69 on 04/03/2022 - 16:08
    +2

    Generally this is cheap if it will fix it for good. Try this on a Jaguar!
    A cumbustion gas check is usually money well spent, a head gasket is costly and a long term issue if the engine had prior abuse.

  • Hithere on 04/03/2022 - 16:10
    +4

    Take the vehicle to a radiator service and get them to run a pressure test of your cooling system.

    You may not need all the parts your mechanic quoted for, it may be something as small as a thermostat replacement. The system may just need reverse flushing.

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 16:46

      Thanks..I'll look up for radiator specialist nearby my area

    • BigBirdy on 05/03/2022 - 10:50

      This is good advice, not only to get an expert second opinion, but a radiator specialist is more likely to have access to non-OEM and/or good used products that might be much cheaper.

  • Drakesy on 04/03/2022 - 16:23
    +4

    Freaking bargain
    My Audi ran some bad fuel and needed 6 new injectors at $850 a pop - yes, just under $5k worth of parts.
    Looks like it takes a couple of hours labour, your mechanic seems like one of the few good ones that won't rip you off.

    If it solves it that's great.

    May need a new coolant/water pump though depending on the cause.

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 16:43
      +1

      $5k!! That's how much my car is probably worth

      • Drakesy on 04/03/2022 - 16:48
        +1

        Yep, eurotrashwagons are the bane of my bank account.

        Good way to force you to learn how to wrench.
        Admittedly anything more than a few hours and i find my time's better spent doing something else.

        Had a Kia sportage for 7+ years, zero problems, 8L/100k, just lacked power.

        Turns out i probably made the wrong decision. I'd take it back in a heartbeat.

        Admittedly thanks to COVID the broken Audi is worth more than i paid for it when it was 100% working.

  • 7ekn00 on 04/03/2022 - 16:55
    +3

    If it heats that quickly with fluid in the radiator, then it's more likely a water pump …

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 17:19
      +4

      Thanks..I'm not good with tools mate..I'm a keyboard warrior who ask around for best price.

  • brad1-8tsi on 04/03/2022 - 17:21
    +1

    The radiator seems expensive. The rest seems OK.

    overheat within 5 mins seems very fast.

  • Ocker on 04/03/2022 - 17:23
    +1

    Possibly the thermostat is seized in the closed position and not allowing cooler water to circulate into the engine block. That could explain why the engine heats up so quickly.
    Easy to check - start the car with the radiator cap off and see if the water heats up.

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 17:26

      Thanks, Don't know how to check the water temp and if it's hot then meaning ?

  • Ocker on 04/03/2022 - 18:11

    Fill the radiator and (say) 30 seconds after the car has been running from cold, stick a finger in the neck of the radiator and see if the water is still cold ot has started to get hot
    (Leave the radiator cap off for the whole process)

    • Danger on 04/03/2022 - 18:17

      Fill the radiator with water?

      • Ocker on 04/03/2022 - 18:20

        yes

      • megadeth on 04/03/2022 - 20:19
        +1

        Demin water from Bunnings or you’ll scale it and add to the problem

        • OZBargainer in SA on 05/03/2022 - 08:32

          Agreed, use demineralised water. Repco, Supercheap Auto and some supermarkets have it.

  • brownsound on 04/03/2022 - 20:10

    when my 2001 impreza radiator blew up during a drive i had to get it towed to my local. they charged me around $500 parts+labour which i thought was cheap.

  • saliya on 04/03/2022 - 20:33

    I think the quote is reasonable (as in: this is how much you will pay someone else to source the parts and do the work).

    If it's overheated, the question is always "by how much". By enough to register on the gauge? Warp the head? Seize the motor?

    I have used natrad ( https://natrad.com.au/ ) and repco ( https://www.repco.com.au/ ) generic radiators in the past and have not had problems with either so far. Natrad prices aren't easy to search online but the repco item seems like it's $239 RRP so about half your quote (and RRP isn't trade pricing).

    OzB hat on: Can you supply your own radiator, hose clamps, and antifreeze? These seem like the most overpriced items to me. Could reduce the cost some. Turning your own spanners could reduce it further if your time is less than $110/hr.

  • chrisharry53 on 05/03/2022 - 08:53
    +3

    Spent quite a lot at a mechanic and then a radiator specialist on a 2000 Toyota Corolla and issue still didn’t go away as it was possibly the head gasket or worse as daughter overheated the engine 2 times from memory. In the end, discovered water leaking from the block where another part was fitted (busted seal). Can be a minefield if not a great mechanic or specialist who correctly diagnoses the issue.

  • mikekiwimike on 05/03/2022 - 08:56
    +2

    Steps to confirm mechanic didn't just give you one scenario based on his experience rather than actually diagnosing the problem. Make sure that the car engine is cold and remove the radiator cap, fill with water, leave cap off and start car. Wait for a few minutes until water level goes down as it starts to circulate around the engine. Add more water until it is full again. there is an overflow tank which can be seen by following a small black tube from the top of the radiator around to the overflow container, make sure that it is also filled with water to the marked levels on the container.

    Once the water level has stabilised and it is warm/hot look for bubbles coming up, the occasional bubble could just be air in the system somewhere but a stream of bubbles means you have a much more expensive problem (head or head gasket). Keep an eye on the temp gauge during this process, if it gets hot with water in it then it is likely the thermostat that needs replacing (not the radiator).

    Put cap on and take the car for a short drive around the block, watch temperature gauge. Park on dry concrete and look for water dripping down from the radiator, if you see water then have a closer look at where it is coming from, it could be gaskets, it could be radiator hoses or the radiator.

    Some mechanics will give a laundry list repair quote without evidence, they will probably do all the things they quote as well but you may not need all of what they install and therefore are paying more than you need too.

    Disclaimer: I am not a mechanic but I have a friend who is, I am someone who does my own repairs where possible and at least diagnoses before going to the mechanic so that I can question their diagnosis if it doesn't seem right. Youtube and google are your friends, search for something like: 'How to Check for radiator leak in xyz model".

    • kmwa on 05/03/2022 - 14:39

      And never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot, as superheated steam and boiling radiator fluid (at well over 100 deg C) will spurt out and scald you.
      Leave it to cool down first.

      • Danger on 06/03/2022 - 10:12

        So, I gave this troubleshooting steps a go:
        1. Removed the radiator cap and filled about 200ml of demin water.
        2. Turned the engine on and waited for water to down but it didn't go down.
        3. Temperature gauge reached to middle position after 3 minutes. After 4 minutes, water started to get warm and occasional bubble started popping up(once every second). At this point, water level still didn't go down nor it filled the overflow tank. Didn't notice any leak from radiator. Radiator neck was warm at this point. After 5 minutes, water started to splash (like volcano) out of radiator and I turned the car off.

        • mikekiwimike on 06/03/2022 - 14:00

          You are welcome, it does seem to be a thermostat, not the radiator. Still will pay to keep an eye on water levels in the future :-)

          • Danger on 07/03/2022 - 13:56
            +2

            @mikekiwimike: Yes, it turned out to be Thermostat issue. Took my car to Radiator specialist and pressure test was OK. Replaced the Thermostat, o ring and coolant. All for $255… Saving of $624 from the original quote.

    • Danger on 05/03/2022 - 16:53

      Really appreciate the detailed troubleshooting steps and information provided..I'll run with this to understand the which seems to be pointing to thermostat based on the comments so far and my experience of not seeing any liquid so far on concrete driveway.

  • penting on 05/03/2022 - 10:06
    +1

    If you change radiator dont forget to check whether you need a new radiator cap.

  • Waltervp on 05/03/2022 - 12:56
    +1

    A leaking radiator shouldn't cause overheating in 5 minutes. If the radiator is empty it might . But a leaking radiator still holds enough water for long enough to check if the radiator is the problem - after you top it up.

    Most fast overheating causes stem from broken thermostat (quick and easy to fix) or a bad water pump (usually expensive to replace). A leaking radiator you must need to top up regularly until you fixed it, and work perfectly well while the water is still in there. Can you even see it leaking?? More often than not is one of the hoses that leaks. Get a pressure test done….

    • Danger on 05/03/2022 - 16:06

      Thanks mate, I'll try to see if the problem goes away with replacing thermostat. Even though mechanic said there's a leak in radiator, I have never saw any liquid underneath the car.

  • Euphemistic on 05/03/2022 - 20:32

    $900 for a car repair seems about normal!

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