Replace radiator for $1600?????

[Celbrett]

Got stuck with the Mav, error read Powertrain control system has detected a fault in the high voltage system coolant pump. Car was towed to the dealer (Ford Roadside assistance is useless but that is a rant for another day). Dealer sent me a vid of a pinhole in the radiator spraying coolant and states it was caused by road debris and not covered under warranty. Hard to imagine since I was driving on local streets (30mph) but so be it. Then the real news came, $1,600 to fix.

Ridiculous price or am I missing something?

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[Darnon]

I don't have book times for the Maverick but an Escape Hybrid clocks about 6.5 hrs for R&R of the radiator. Depending on shop rates that's easily almost $1000 in labor alone. Not to mention materials (coolant, refrigerant, misc.) and disposal.

Are the fins around the leak damaged? If road debris I'd expect them to be bent. If that's the case then you could see about your insurance covering it.

 

[commadorebob]

$1,600 sounds right. The part about it being road debris for a pinhole, however, sounds dubious.

 

[APD]

Got stuck with the Mav, error read Powertrain control system has detected a fault in the high voltage system coolant pump. Car was towed to the dealer (Ford Roadside assistance is useless but that is a rant for another day). Dealer sent me a vid of a pinhole in the radiator spraying coolant and states it was caused by road debris and not covered under warranty. Hard to imagine since I was driving on local streets (30mph) but so be it. Then the real news came, $1,600 to fix.

Ridiculous price or am I missing something?

Lets see that video.
It would be highly unlikely that a "pinhole" would develop from an impact with road debris without putting a dent in the surrounding metal.

 

[Chris_G]

Lets see that video.
It would be highly unlikely that a "pinhole" would develop from an impact with road debris without putting a dent in the surrounding metal.

I bet the dealer makes more money stating it was a road hazard as opposed to a warranty repair.

 

[Dadmezz]

Pin hole..sounds like a potential solder job fix on a new vehicle.
How would a radiator shop have handled this?

 

[Celbrett]

Lets see that video.
It would be highly unlikely that a "pinhole" would develop from an impact with road debris without putting a dent in the surrounding metal.

Not the best in terms of eyeing the location but........

 

[TyPope]

LOL. $1,600? I once put a flex fan through a 1965 Mustang radiator. It leaked so much, it looked like someone peeing. Anyway, one little tube of that powder called Bars Leaks fixed it right up. Didn't have any trouble for the 3 years I had that car. Well, not from the radiator. From the authorities? Perhaps... LOL

 

[jsus]

I bet the dealer makes more money stating it was a road hazard as opposed to a warranty repair.

Of course. Warranty work pays less. It's an incentive for many dealers to try to get out of doing it, or to get you to pay, refusing the warranty claim..

 

[MostlySafeBear]

OP, that sucks. I'd escalate up the chain at the dealership service department to get that covered under the factory warranty.

How would/should a person protect themselves from a shop (Ford or otherwise) trying to place the "road debris" thereby denying warranty coverage on any part of the vehicle?

 

[orclean911]

reach out to the ford admin on this site ask ask him to review this , good luck and let us know how you make out

 

[Tiger Dude]

road debris can be claimed on your comprehensive policy

 

[TheSEARCH]

Can it be that hard to remove the radiator? Old mechanic used to work at chevy dealer up to late 90's and I would be lucky to get 6 hours labor to R&R an entire engine. Seems crazy to me. I guess I will need a service manual for my hybrid when it comes. No way I pay 1600 for a radiator.

 

[APD]

Not the best in terms of eyeing the location but........

hard to see, but I would want to take a closer look....you can see where the stream is originating from and there is no obvious damage to the fins. The fins on these things are soft enough to dent with just your finger so there should be more damage if that took a hit.
Looks more to me like the plates are separating, factory defect.

 

[Darnon]

Can it be that hard to remove the radiator? Old mechanic used to work at chevy dealer up to late 90's and I would be lucky to get 6 hours labor to R&R an entire engine. Seems crazy to me. I guess I will need a service manual for my hybrid when it comes. No way I pay 1600 for a radiator.

Most radiators these days come out as a complete assembly as they go in at the factory all together. Radiator, A/C condensor core, possible external transmission cooler, grille shutters, fan and shroud. So you need to disconnect, drain, and refill all those. Not to mention probably pulling the front bumper cover and grille.

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