I'm going to need to bring my car into the dealership because of leaking coolant.

I wanted to ask people how many hours of labor is usually charged for the following 3 combinations: (1) just water pump, (2) just one or more radiator hoses and (3) water pump and all the radiator hoses.

Also since my car is over 7 years old and over 150,000 miles and the hoses have never been replaced, would it be prudent to have them all swapped out? BTW how many radiator hoses are there, 3 or 4? Any other hoses, etc, I should consider replacing?

Thanks in advance.

 

3 hoses, lower radiator hose is a PITA
there is a 4th hose but it's a small one that connects to the coolant overflow tank

 

about 3 hours, more like 4. If you have all the tools. reason is its a royal pita to take the thermostat housing off (you should replace that too)

and expect them to break your Radiator, because you said its been 7 yrs, the small hose connects to the Radiator and coolant tank its gonna get stuck and if they're not careful (most of the time) it will break the plastic part on the Radiator.

So just expect yourself to get another radiator, not a bad thing actually, at 150K miles its due for replacement anyway.

if they have to change your radiator (or you want to replace it), add another 2 hours to the process.

As for "what I think you should replace" :

Upper and lower Radiator hose, the lower Radiator hose is a "2 piece" deal, so thats 3.

the bypass from the Engine to the TB.

coolant tank to the radiator.

Thermostat

water pump

about 3-4 gallons of coolant for complete drain and fill (most dealership not gonna do that, some don't even know how)

Radiator

 

this right here is why i have an after market radiator now!!!

 

Ok, then how much is reasonable to pay the dealership?

 

the dealership?? pay them an arm and a leg
personally its just better to do it yourself if your
a mechanically inclined person
the dealership WILL rip you off

 

That's true but I just don't think I can do this job. I can't even get a visual of where the leak is coming from and I've never taken the underbody tray off (heard it's a PITA). I've done brakes, trans/diff oil, fixed my driver door that wouldn't open, catalytic converter, and spark plugs/wires but I don't think I can do this job.

Back in 2006, I got the water pump replaced for about $325. I'm wondering what the job would cost with water pump and a hose (assuming the leak is coming from only 1 hose). Even if it's the hose that's leaking and the water pump is fine, I'm thinking about getting the water pump replaced anyway since it's been 100,000 mi on this water pump (original was replaced at 60,000 mi).

I'll make them be careful with the radiator so they don't break that plastic part. I really don't want to have to replace the radiator. I believe mine is fine but, yes, I'm paranoid that they'll break it and try to say it was already broken.

 

if u can do catalytic converter (I assume u mean u replaced it), u can do this. it just gonna take longer.

Just follow my DIY Its not hard really, just gonna take a lot of time. for 1st timer, expect this a weekend job. Take it easy, and u will be ok.

FIY, you can get a brand new water pump from your local shop (not Mazda OE) for less than 50 bux and comes with a lifetime warranty Advance Auto has one, GMB, 40.49 bux. they have no pictures but it should be fine.

if you really can't (or just doesn't make sense to buy all the tools u're missing), just expect to pay them at least 4 hours of labor (without radiator replacement), if they come back in a few hours and tell ya you need a radiator replacement because "its due", you know the true reason. you can buy those parts yourself online to save a few bucks.

 

Thanks for giving me the encouragement, guys, but I don't think I have the time or the will. I'll probably take it in tomorrow but I'll read nycgps's DIY anyway.

 

damnnnn ! if u live around NYC, i just drive ur car home, work on it, give it back to u the next day and I charge u 1/2 of what dealership will charge

oh well

 

+1 if only u lived in miami

 

Hey, nycgps and chino, thanks for the offer! If I were in your areas, I would definitely give you guys a call.

 

I have a final question for you guys. If I want to have the water pump, 3 radiator hoses, AND radiator replaced by the dealership, what is the total number of labor hours?

Thanks again in advance.

 

nycgps, need some clarification...what do you mean by the "bypass from the the engine to the TB"? And what is TB?