Is $350 after tax a lot for coolant flush and fill?
Posted by Revolutionary_Code74@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 37 comments
I filled my coolant about 3 or so weeks ago because it was low, almost empty about two teaspoons left. Ok no biggie, later on about 3 or 4 days ago (friday) my car was overheating and I was wondering why.
I let the car cool down then checked the coolant again once again it was about two teaspoons left, at this time I was worried because I just got done filling it and it was empty again. So I took it into the shop they kept it since Saturday and just told me today it was done. They said they couldn’t find any leaks or anything so they flushed it and refilled it. They said that the price would be 350 after tax. Isn’t that a little too much especially if nothing is broken?
ColonEscapee@reddit
Dude you definitely have a leak.
Revolutionary_Code74@reddit (OP)
So what should I say because the mechanic says there isn’t can I argue with him while he has my car?
throwpoo@reddit
You need a better mechanic.
Robobeep-@reddit
Do you have any white smoke coming from your exhaust? Do an oil change and ask if there is any coolant in your oil.
You can do a combustion leak test to see if your engine is burning coolant (in your case it sounds like it would be at a fast rate, I'd check the exhaust for white smoke first). If there is no leak that could be another explanation. AutoZone sells the test kit for $30 and the liquid for $10. It's fairly easy to do. Search combustion leak test and watch the video on their website.
Regarding your original question though; that price was a little on the high side. There is labor that goes into burping the system to remove any trapped air. If they truly put their best effort into removing any air bubbles, you should feel good about the price you paid. Finding a mechanic you trust is a great thing. Sometimes cheap is actually a bad deal.
ColonEscapee@reddit
Not much without a second opinion. Your $350 leaked out tho and so it was pointless for them to do the flush.
If you can't find the leak I would check the head gasket. Check for water in your oil. Sometimes it will just blow it all out the overflow reservoir and evaporate on the radiator.
A-Wolf-4099@reddit
If it was in my shop I would have done a presser leak down test. You can YouTube the process of it. But you bike pump up the closed cooling system to 12-15 lbs give it an hour or so it should be the same psi. If not the do some detectiveing stuff. People pointing out head gasket (it could be) but I also look deeper heater box so you have any sweet smell inside the vehicle? Look around the engine compartment and look for any " Clean " spots ( aka the leaking spot)
I would do some looking around and take it back to the shop and get them to work for the money they took them find a place that needs your work not your money.
WatchingyouNyouNyou@reddit
In 2009 they flushed my 1994 honda accord for $40.
Substantial-Set-8981@reddit
In 1981 they flushed my car for 50¢
laborvspacu@reddit
Yeah? once in 1936, I bought a whole car for 50 cents!
zank_ree@reddit
This is the reason i'm doing my own. I cant justify paying someone 350 to turn on my car and poor distilled water into my radiator a few times, and still can't find the leak.
foolproofphilosophy@reddit
How’s yer head gasket? What’s your engine oil look like?
Revolutionary_Code74@reddit (OP)
I just got an oil change maybe a week ago it’s ok so far
JT-Av8or@reddit
What’s the color?
BasilVegetable3339@reddit
Yes
Best_Market4204@reddit
$350 hahah hell nah & they didn't do their job finding the issue.
unwittyusername42@reddit
I'm less concerned if $350 is fair (depends on the coolant, labor rates in your area etc) and more concerned that the coolant disappeared, they said no leaks, gave it a slap and sent it on its way.
If there aren't any external leaks you've probably got forbidden milkshake oil.
walkawaysux@reddit
After it went dry twice and they can’t find the leak! They owe you a pressure test for free!
Substantial-Set-8981@reddit
What kind of vehicle is it?
Revolutionary_Code74@reddit (OP)
2013 Lincoln mks
tech7127@reddit
Very common for the water pump to fail and leak into the crankcase. Just sayin'
Amarathe_@reddit
$350 seems high for a flush. What really bothers me is that they didnt find the leak. The car obviously has one and they shouldnt give the car back till theyve found it
libra-love-@reddit
Possibly head gasket. It’s going somewhere just not on the ground.
Impressive-Pizza1876@reddit
It was going somewhere. Prolly didn’t even need a flush. Gonna still go somewhere unless the mech changed the cap or tightened some hoses . A flush doesn’t generally fix a leak.
SOTG_Duncan_Idaho@reddit
Yes, that's expensive. Even in my HCOL area from a dealership it's like 250 not 350.
Vinnyk84@reddit
ruddy3499@reddit
What year make and model?
Brilliant_Ant_17@reddit
Fuck Yeah
Woodstock0311@reddit
Depends on the location. Think ours are $240 in Columbus. I'd be more worried about where the coolant is going. It doesn't just drop that much in a week for no reason. Some shops just stick the new guys on flush and fills. Id agree to pay it because there's not much you can do but on the condition one of their master techs re-inspect it.
BLINGMW@reddit
Who measures coolant in teaspoons? And I assume you mean what-you-can-see in the overflow tank? You should switch to a tablespoon at least.
reddawg95@reddit
if it's empty what's to flush? you got $30 of antifreeze for that price. i was losing antifreeze in my truck, but it was summer, over 100 degrees and stuff was taking a long time to disappear driving hwy miles in traffic. couple days - you got a leak, bad. they look at your water pump? that tends not to leak when it's parked and not running before it gets hot
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
The car absolutely has a leak, and a fairly good one too, if it's not leaking outside the engine it's leaking within. I'm going by CAD prices but $350 seems fair if it includes diagnostic plus flush and fill however if this is USD or just flush and fill it's a little high
Dazzling_Cause_1764@reddit
I paid $200 today
right415@reddit
You got took bro
IsuckatDarkSouls08@reddit
It's sounds like they just filled it, then gave it a once over and declared it good. Some shops are more concerned about cars moving through the shop than they are about doing a proper diagnosis and actually giving a shit about comebacks. As others have stated, check your oil and put some card board under your car when you park it at home and see it there are some markings the next time you go out.
zank_ree@reddit
I would go to harbor freight and grab one of their braun lights and just look for any trace of your Coolant. Then do it when your car is hot. You should be able to see some kind of signs of leakage, either sizzling, squirting or smoking. If you can't find any, depending on the vehicle, If you can, I would pull the spark plugs out, of each cylinder, and check to see how clean they are. If it's super clean, you know you have a gasket leak.
Kind of sucks you paid someone to really not find your answer.
Good luck.
zank_ree@reddit
But then again, it might of just leak from your spigot or something. and he just tightened and accidentally fixed it for you.
Monst3r_Live@reddit
if its not leaking where is it going? hiding? if nothing is obvious by now you have to consider its going into the cylinder and exiting the car via the exhaust system