Should head gaskets be replaced with radiator?

Tiny
TEXASCHICK1969
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 MAZDA 626
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
The radiator on my 2000 Mazda 626 needs to be replaced. The facility will not replace the radiator unless the head gaskets can be replaced at the same time, at a substantially higher cost. The facility stated the car will continue to run hot if I do not replace the head gaskets along with replacing the radiator. Is this true?
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 3:00 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
This is not so, if there is no issue with the head gasket, replace the radiator, I would also be doing the thermostat radiator cap and checking for any suspect hoses though.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 3:04 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Tell them to prove it to you that there's a problem with the headgasket-such as block and pressure tests unable to don't do it go somewhere else before they milked you
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 3:17 AM
Tiny
TEXASCHICK1969
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The facility stated the head gaskets were leaking. They quoted me a price of between 2600-3000 to repair the gaskets, in addition to the 700 they were going to charge me to have the radiator replaced.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 4:39 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Is the car overheating?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
TEXASCHICK1969
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The car did overheat, the first time was Thanksgiving night - had the car towed to the facility where they replaced the coolant reservoir and upper radiator hose. They also did further evaluation on the cooling system and found no issues. A week after the repairs, the temperature hand starts to move further towards the H, and this is when I had the car towed back to the facility. After a second eval, I was told the radiator was cracked and needed to be replaced, for a price of $700. Two hours later I get a call from the facility advising that the head gaskets were leaking and needed to be replaced, and it would cost between 2600-3000 to repairs those. I asked if they would be able to replace the radiator right now without repairing the head gaskets, I was told they could not do it that way, they would have to do both or the car will continue to run hot. My car has been sitting now for several days, and I see no spots on the ground.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Take it to reputable shop and have them check for a headgasket leak-something is fishy here
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
A head check will do this quickly, this is a simple chemical test to check fore exhaust gasses in the cooling system.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 13th, 2010 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
TEXASCHICK1969
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
@Rasmataz - I took it to a well-known national repair chain, guess I should get a second opinion elsewhere.
@MHPAUTOS - ok, thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 AT 12:18 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Keep us updated with what expires with this one please.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 AT 7:55 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links