cdnA4

After adding oil (syn) to the radiator last night (oops, sorry hubby), my wife took the car to a local mechanic. After a good chuckle (at my expen$e, not hers), he recommended replacing the radiator. The current radiator was replaced around 4 years ago (the reslut of her 3rd accident with MY car). Does replacing the radiator sound like over-kill or am I being pound foolish? He quoted $400 to $450 for the job, parts included.

myers1.8TQ

I dont know what damages it causes or how you would get oil out of a rad. But, Its fairly simple to replace the radiator yourself.

Catamount90

Um... yikes?

Nate (ETKA+Scumbag)

Nothing a good flush with a two-step chemical couldn't cure. Seen rads with leaking/sweating trans lines not get replaced, just flushed real well.

If it's an automatic, and I assume it is, the A/T cooler is in the rad as well, making it a little harder to replace then one might expect.

Tell your wife she doesn't belong under the hood. Ever.

bjs6507

Time for a new wife! LOL

Nate (ETKA+Scumbag)

Eh, how about power steering fluid in the brake fluid reservoir?

Now that's a good time!

Reggie

2nd

Audiboy

I bet an alcohol with water flush is all that is needed after you drain it entirely. If anything, it might actually help and not hurt to have some leftover in there, such as inhibiting rust from the block.

If you see your temps rise up more than normal, then maybe replace the radiator and flush it thoroughly including the heater core.

MartinH

I would think a flush with an emulsifier like Gunk would clean up the oil and allow it to be washed out.

JesseC262

I'm pretty sure if you rinsed out your radiator and maybe put some degreaser in there and let it sit a while then flushing it a few more times it should be good. plus it's a pretty simple DIY job.