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The radiator in my 1998 Honda Prelude had a crack in the top plastic part (where the pressure cap is attached).

I took the car to a garage, and was charged $455. The plastic radiator cost alone was $270 + 2 hours of labour time.

I personally felt this is a rip off, considering the prices of radiators on trademe.

Also, the person that carried out the repair told me he had already disposed of my original pressure cap.

I believe the pressure cap was still working and I was not sure if it's appropriate to throw away customer's parts without my permission.

Daniel

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 23 April 2010

It is not uncommon for Honda's of this era to have leaks from the top plastic tank and one way to rectify the problem properly is to carry out repairs exactly the way the garage has done.

Are the radiators advertised on Trademe new or second hand and what guarantees do that provide?

If the radiators you see on Trademe are second hand, then many of them will either suffer a crack once fitted or have hairline fractures already.

The big problem for the garage is they cannot guarantee this sort of repair when fitting second hand parts.

I agree with you on the radiator cap. You should have been consulted on the need to replace it, and the old cap should have been available for your inspection.

This repair may sound expensive but it should come with a reasonable guarantee.

I have heard of similar repairs being a lot more expensive to be honest.