Prices 97 VS radiator flush & thermostat

MaC77 · #1 03-09-2008, 09:33 PM

Gday all, i have a 97 VS V6 and its overheating. The coolant was nice and green then it overheated and i had to add water. This was a couple of weeks ago and now it aint green its rusty.
So i was wondering what the average price & a great price would be to have it flushed and a new thermostat if needed.
Im west Syd btw

Classifi3d Calais · #2 03-09-2008, 11:15 PM

nick down to auto barn or similar and get a flushing agent (about $4) and a thermostat ($9) and some non hardening sealant to make a new gasket. It wont be hard to change yourself if you have a little idea on what your doing etc.

Other than that your looking about $20 for parts and 1hr labor at a mechanic

MaC77 · #3 11-10-2008, 01:05 AM

Yeah i prob should have had a go at doing it myself.

I got it done at a mechanic. I asked for a thermostat and radiator flush.

One question;

Is it unreasonable for me to expect that once this work is done the system will be refilled with coolant?

Its been about 2 weeks and is overheating again. I checked and it looks like they put some water but no coolant!
I mean the whole reason i had the flush done was it was overheating and i had to put water in which caused some gunk. thats why i got it flushed

Edit: Like this is a standard thing yeah? They came from the factory with coolant? Only an idiot mechanic would just put water in

VSIIBerlinaL67 · #4 11-10-2008, 01:58 AM

how did it overheat

MaC77 · #5 11-10-2008, 03:09 AM

Originally the thermostat was fcked and when it got hot i opened it up and let the preasure out with most of the coolant. So then i refilled with water and carried on as normal for a couple of weeks untill i decided to get this work done.

I only use the car for short 5 min trips to and from work so i didnt notice anything wrong untill tonight when i went for a long drive into town. Thats when i checked the fluid levels and realized it only had water in it. I was in a maccas drive through and the temp was through the roof and the fans were going crazy.

I filled it up with water....

Should i take it back to the mechanic?

BlackVXGTS · #6 11-10-2008, 10:50 AM

You certainly need to run coolant to stop corrosion and to make the cooling system more efficient. However, just using water instead of coolant shouldn't make the temperature go through the roof like you experienced, especially at this time of year. Either the cooling system hasn't been bled properly, your new thermostat is faulty, or perhaps you have a water pump problem.

greenacc · #7 11-10-2008, 11:10 AM

as above, it should cool fine just with plain water, but the rust won't be so good.
Sounds like you have another cooling problem , and your mechanic is an idiot. I use the repco coolant, suitable for V6 commodores, about $30 for 5 litres and you mix it 50 /50 with water and add pellets from a holden dealer.
It is normal for the fan to come on in a Maccas drive through, but temp should go down quickly when the fan comes on.

rcnugget · #8 11-10-2008, 12:57 PM

if you do take it back the the mechanic as them to do a compression test or a leak down test just to be sure that head gasket hasnt gone

MaC77 · #9 12-10-2008, 07:33 PM

Thanks for the tips guys.

All i asked for was a thermostat and radioator flush.

With any mechanic worth their weight they would put coolant and bleed the system yeah?
Just so i know if i have a right to be disgruntled.

When i turned up to pick it up they were still working on it and i could see the rusty water everwhere. I think they rushed to get it done and get it out the door.

2 questions:

1. they should have put coolant in it?
2. they should have bled the system?

Edit: because they didnt do either

By now the water would have done some damage and another flush will have to be done. I dont want to be paying for this stuff twice. How can i tell if they changed the thermostat or just cleaned the gunk off it?

VSIIBerlinaL67 · #10 12-10-2008, 07:43 PM

just do it yourself less hassle and its easy and at least you will know things where done properly

MaC77 · #11 12-10-2008, 08:00 PM

I dunno if i have the tools.
Any tutorials on here?

greenacc · #12 12-10-2008, 10:00 PM

maybe, check the how to section...
You will need > A garden hose, water, a medium or big screwdriver to suit your hose clamps. If you are gonna take the thermo out you also need a spanner or socket, 14mm i think, or maybe 9/16, and a new paper gasket $2 and thermostat $10. Some gasket sealant won't go astray either.
Check if the gasket on the thermostat housing looks new / clean. Surely they would have replaced it if thats what you took it in for !