Date:         Mon, 5 Apr 2010 09:22:13 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Archive not. Re: Radiator flush
Comments: To: Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <k2seccfedcc1004050348l7fa10a36x734d3e40b6d30997@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Michael Sullivan <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I disagree.  The cost for flush and test is close to the cost for a new
> one.
> On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 4:41 AM, Mike <mbucchino@charter.net> wrote:
>
> > I don't see why you don't just take it out and send it to a radiator shop.
> >  That's what they do. It's not expensive, and they'll repair any holes that
> > this process can uncover,  and then pressure test for leaks.
> > Some things are best left to the professionals, and this is one of them.
> >
> > Mike B.

As I said earlier, the cost for the pro service is half or more the cost for a new radiator including install by a professional.  That's what I found when I was shopping for cooling system fixes for my '91 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile (Westy to most of you).  The radiator shop I finally used pulled the radiator, put in a new one that the shop sourced, and replaced all the hoses directly associated with the radiator for about what I would have spent if I did the job myself, and I got a copper radiator with metal tanks.  The price quoted for the service including chemical cleaning, rodding, leak detection and repair, was nearly as much.  I did furnish coolant and distilled water, as the shop used a coolant I did not want (a brand with undefined inhibitors), and local tap water (highly mineralized).

David McNeely