My friends daughters car was overheating. The shop charged them $340 to drain and redo the coolant. The next day the same thing happened. Now they are telling them that it needs new head caskets. They want $2200 to redo the caskets. Is this a fair price on this car? Also is this job for experts only?

Most people on the board have payed around 1200 for HG work.

Most people on the board have payed around 1200 for HG work.

 

Is it possible that they just didn't burp the system correctly when they changed the coolant? Isn't burping just done by opening the cap and then running the car for a while until it burps out the air?

Is it possible that they just didn't burp the system correctly when they changed the coolant? Isn't burping just done by opening the cap and then running the car for a while until it burps out the air?

 

Actually, it can be quite a chore to burp all the air from a Subaru's cooling circuit. The 1998 Forester has the infamous 2.5 L Phase I DOHC. This engine is pratically synonymous with head gasket failure. However, I would sniff the coolant for exhaust gases before I popped for an expensive head gasket replacement. Tell the guys quoting 2200 for the job to get some other sucker to make their boat payment.

Also try the cheap stuff first - thermostat!! Throw an autozone cheapy in there and test drive. Test the old one by cooking it in water and see if it opens at approx 180-190 degrees.

 

Also visually inspect for collapsed radiator hoses, esp the lower one.

 

 

rd

is anyone not messmerized by the $340 dollar charge to drain the coolant? they got completely slammed if that's all they did for $340. never, ever take your car to these people again. 2,000 + for head gaskets is insane as well. i wouldn't assume anything they told you is true or correct...i'd start over and take it somewhere else and also file a complaint with the BBB after you find out the results from somewhere else.

 

you're in colorado, would you consider a rebuilt SOHC 2.5 from CCR? that's your best bet if you can afford it.

How in hell did they charge 340.00 for something that even jiffy lub charges less then 100.00 for. I would go be very angry with that shop. A rebuilt engine can be had for that money. Not only would i never go to that shop again i would be filing complaints against them and demand a refund.

That said head gaskets can be done for around 1100.

 

First thing to do id make sure all the air is out of the system. Second is a hydrocarbon test or have the car run without the radiator cap on and see if there are any bubbles.

 

Just what did they do for 300.00?

 

nipper

How in hell did they charge 340.00 for something that even jiffy lub charges less then 100.00 for. I would go be very angry with that shop. A rebuilt engine can be had for that money. Not only would i never go to that shop again i would be filing complaints against them and demand a refund.

That said head gaskets can be done for around 1100.

 

First thing to do id make sure all the air is out of the system. Second is a hydrocarbon test or have the car run without the radiator cap on and see if there are any bubbles.

 

Just what did they do for 300.00?

 

nipper

 

Not sure of all the things done but, I think it was for a flush and new thermostat. I have already informed my friend to check around and to try burping the coolant by opening the cap and run until it heats up and see if some air doesn't come out.

Not sure of all the things done but, I think it was for a flush and new thermostat. I have already informed my friend to check around and to try burping the coolant by opening the cap and run until it heats up and see if some air doesn't come out.

Run away from that shop!!

 

If you are in Colorado there are lots of very good honest Subaru specialty shops, they also would have properly diagnosed the issue to begin with and saved you the $350 dollars.

 

http://www.s-wingsstuff.com/

 

http://www.strictlyauto.com/

 

http://www.roosonly.com/