Cracked Radiator. That's going to burn a hole in my pocket.

[Tonyzee]

Last week our mechanic predicated that the rad would crack. A friend decided to use some mixture and patched the whole thing. Today, the plaster opened up and spewed steam on my way home from work. The engine temp went to red and I had to make a stop at a store to cool down and with the help of a stranger, we filled the rad with 3 litres of water.

The helpful stranger said the rad is completely toasted. We are looking at around 400 for a new rad, 100 for used and 100 for installation.

What should I do? We just need the car for another month or so then we will buy a new car. This 92 Camry's been giving us trouble for the past couple of months now, it's like it hates us.

[weedb0y]

Its a 92!! Imagine, if you were paying for a newer car, that would be your monthly finance/lease payment.

Btw, new rads can be installed for around $400-500 TOTAL..Parts + Labour included. If you are getting used, do it! $200 is nothing for a month worth of driving.

Fix it up and enjoy! Life's too short as it is..

[GadgetShopper]

How much does the car worth now? Dealer won't even trade my friend's 92 Corola.

Maybe just buy a new car??

[DrXenon]

Radiators are typically a few bolts and 3 hoses. You can do it in your driveway in 45 minutes even if you've never done it before.

[m4gician]

Radiators are typically a few bolts and 3 hoses. You can do it in your driveway in 45 minutes even if you've never done it before.

You'll need a jug of coolant as well and some distilled water (if coolant isn't premixed). But yes, it's a few hoses, and a few nuts you can remove with a jack (to lift the car) and a ratchet.

[l69norm]

There's no point in putting a new rad into a car that you are going to use only for one month longer. Go with the used rad or move the new car purchase up a month

[Tonyzee]

uh.. I have zero confidence in my auto mechanic skills. I don't even have a jack. Well 2 years ago the car was valued at $8900 mainly because if its engine. I still think its got a couple grand left in it.

[petaling108]

We are looking at around 400 for a new rad, 100 for used and 100 for installation.

What should I do? We just need the car for another month or so then we will buy a new car. This 92 Camry's been giving us trouble for the past couple of months now, it's like it hates us.[/QUOTE]
new rads are US $100 online for a 4-cylinder

try importec.com
rockauto.com

[Tonyzee]

Theres a reason why Americans loves Camry. It's a gas murdering v6

[geponchuk]

go to auto wrecker. get a used rad. usually guaranteed for 90 days. Install it yourself. really easy for a 92. Bunch of bolts and hoses and clamps. and antifreeze. Partsource has a diagram to tell you how to do it step by step.

[Stock R]

uh.. I have zero confidence in my auto mechanic skills. I don't even have a jack. Well 2 years ago the car was valued at $8900 mainly because if its engine. I still think its got a couple grand left in it.

2 years ago in 2006, your 14 year old camry was valued at $8900??!?! :confused: :lol:

Anyhow, Really you can change it yourself. I replaced the rad in my civic for $100 including parts. It was 3 hoses and 4 screws. All you need is a pair of pliers and a screw driver.

[Tonyzee]

Ok I will check out Partsource for instructions. And I will probably get a friend to do the rad swap. I know im not up for it myself haha.

[blackmoon69]

Ok I will check out Partsource for instructions. And I will probably get a friend to do the rad swap. I know im not up for it myself haha.

go buy an aftermarket rad from a japanese autoparts you can try callng them and know how much it is and find a mechanic who will just do the labor. coz i got my rad for $175 aftermarket and new.

[weedb0y]

uh.. I have zero confidence in my auto mechanic skills. I don't even have a jack. Well 2 years ago the car was valued at $8900 mainly because if its engine. I still think its got a couple grand left in it.

I know for a fact that a 92 camry was not valued at $9000 2 years ago! Toyota's are good but not that good.

Unless its a Supra or a super mint lexus with low kms..Sorry to burst your bubble.

[Tonyzee]

I should have just sold it to the guy who did the valuing 2 years ago lol!

@blackmoon
Japanese autoparts online or find one in store?

[nornet]

i know for a fact that a 92 camry was not valued at $9000 2 years ago! Toyota's are good but not that good.

Unless its a supra or a super mint lexus with low kms..sorry to burst your bubble.

+1`

[Engi-Nir]

I know for a fact that a 92 camry was not valued at $9000 2 years ago! Toyota's are good but not that good.

Unless its a Supra or a super mint lexus with low kms..Sorry to burst your bubble.

lol, in 2007, a 92 camry was infact valued at $9k, I heard it was an RFD members bidding for it lol The mechanic that told him it was $9k so dude would make some repairs on his car(for probably 50% of its value in reality), and the only way to get him to make the repairs was to give him a fake reality cost. But i do like how his mechanic thinks if this was the case lol my sisters 01camry xle with 140k km is only worth about $6-$8k, and it was built in japan ;)

[-Jatt-]

I had a 96 Camry and it had the same problem. I ended up getting a new one installed and in a few months it started leaking again! After changing it for the second time i just ended up selling the car.

As others have stated just get a used one installed and drive it until you buy your new car.

[liorsyncro]

uh.. I have zero confidence in my auto mechanic skills. I don't even have a jack. Well 2 years ago the car was valued at $8900 mainly because if its engine. I still think its got a couple grand left in it.
Do you have a Rolls Royce turbofan in there? $9000 my ass! As for the radiator, see if you can find a decent one at the junkyard. You'd be surprised what you can find there and for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

[liorsyncro]

I had a 96 Camry and it had the same problem. I ended up getting a new one installed and in a few months it started leaking again! After changing it for the second time i just ended up selling the car.

As others have stated just get a used one installed and drive it until you buy your new car.
A Toyota breaking down like that?! IMPOSSIBLE!!!:twisted:

[Tonyzee]

to answer your questions, it was $8000 I donno why I said 8900. Also the 92 camry had very low millage, around 140,000.

And before the leaking rad, the exhaust sensor (or something) was not working and it broke down 2 weeks ago in the middle of the road during rush hour. Why the hell Toyota's steering wheels lock when the car stalls, I have no idea. But its very dangerous.

Our camry is like the girlfriend who can't handle a break up and decides to get attention by attempting suicide (but not enough knowledge to succeed). :D

[blackmoon69]

I should have just sold it to the guy who did the valuing 2 years ago lol!

@blackmoon
Japanese autoparts online or find one in store?

find one in a store lots of store in toronto.

[liorsyncro]

to answer your questions, it was $8000 I donno why I said 8900. Also the 92 camry had very low millage, around 140,000.

Even $8000 is quite laughable. While there's no specific "guideline" that describes when a vehicle is initially considered as having high mileage, the general consensus is once you pass 100,000 kms the vehicle has high mileage. Why do you think most car and powertrain warranties expire around that point? There may be some exceptions, such as GM, for example, who will warrant the powertrain for 5 years or 160,000 kms whichever occurs first. But then again, why is even 200,000 kms regarded as high mileage when this dude (http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/2002/020312-5.htm) put almost 4 million kms on his car?:cheesygri

[jed]

100k is considered high mileage? Not anymore. It Did use to be that way back in the day, but the high cost of replacements, along with that people are understanding that most any vehicle (incl. domestics) will go at least 160k, have changed attitudes.

Will they prefer a 100k vehicle vs a 200k? Absolutely. But we used to have to end 160k stuff to the wholesaler - not anymore. So long as their condition is good now they are retailed.

As to the OP, I'd do a used repair, cheap jobber parts, or just move up your timeline for purchasing. If you won't get your repair out of your the value of your car, you need to consider that aspect.

[bahasad]

Even $8000 is quite laughable. While there's no specific "guideline" that describes when a vehicle is initially considered as having high mileage, the general consensus is once you pass 100,000 kms the vehicle has high mileage. Why do you think most car and powertrain warranties expire around that point? There may be some exceptions, such as GM, for example, who will warrant the powertrain for 5 years or 160,000 kms whichever occurs first. But then again, why is even 200,000 kms regarded as high mileage when this dude (http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/2002/020312-5.htm) put almost 4 million kms on his car?:cheesygri

+ 1.

We had a 92 Camry V6 SE with 220,000 kilometres, and we sold ours at Dec 2007. $8000 ? lol no way...we got $3500, and even then we felt really good.

Your car would have been worth $5K tops.