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Post by human on Dec 16, 2014 18:44:04 GMT -6
I took the Aurora yesterday to get a state inspection so I could renew the registration. It was the first time the car had been out of the driveway in a couple of weeks. After running a couple of errands, I pulled in to get it inspected (it passed) and the car promptly overheated due to a cracked radiator. It must have given way while I was running errands as there is no evidence of coolant leakage on my driveway. The last time I drove the car was to bring it back from my parents' house, about two hours away.
They gave me a repair estimate of $489 and topped of the radiator so I could limp the beast home. Later in the day, I went by to see the mechanic who normally works on my cars, but doesn't do state inspections, and got him to do up an competing estimate--without telling him about the first estimate. I liked his estimate a whole lot better--$369 with a lifetime warranty on the radiator. The only catch is he won't be able to get to it until right after the first of the year, but hey, for $120, I'll let the car sit in the driveway for a couple of weeks.
Daily Driver: 2011 Impala LT Weekend Toy: 1995 Aurora
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Randy T.
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☯ AURORA GXP ☯
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Post by Randy T. on Dec 17, 2014 7:22:54 GMT -6
'95 Auroras have bigger radiators than other Auroras, if at all possible, compare your old one with the new one to make sure the core is the same thickness. If you want to save more money and install it yourself it's pretty easy. Then to celebrate you can bust up in the club and throw cash around all night.
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bobsblue95
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Scars of pleasure, scars of pain. Atmospheric changes make you sensitive again.
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Post by bobsblue95 on Dec 19, 2014 17:50:08 GMT -6
^^^ What he said! It's not a hard job really. Remove the radiator cover, remove the fans, disconnect oil and trans cooler lines and you're there. Brand new radiators on ebay run about $100-150.
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Post by human on Jan 13, 2015 23:32:16 GMT -6
After a month of sitting in my driveway, the Aurora went to the shop today to get the radiator replaced. Doing it myself was just a little beyond my comfort level. Thanks for the encouragement, though. I was amazed when I turned the key in the switch and the car cranked up instantly--almost seemed eager to go. Of course, it was a very short trip to the street in front of the house for the tow truck to come get it. I didn't want to risk driving it across town to my mechanic. I'm looking forward to driving it again when it's all back together.
Daily Driver: 2011 Impala LT Weekend Toy: 1995 Aurora
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Post by Toronado3800 on Jan 15, 2015 13:47:39 GMT -6
Good deal. Progress is made.
The shop should be able to knock that out quickly. You won't have to deal with a couple gallons of used anti freeze.
I had mine out to do an alternator recently. Removing he fans confused me for a moment as I was lookkng for lower bolts but ended up being easier than I thought so the pros shouod rock it out with no troubles.
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Post by human on Jan 15, 2015 17:49:29 GMT -6
I just picked the car up this afternoon. He called me right at his quitting time yesterday to let me know the job was done. The best part was when he presented me the bill; it was about $35 cheaper than what he had originally quoted me and a full $155 cheaper than the estimate I had gotten from the place that discovered the leak. The car was running a little oddly when I first drove away from the shop. It seemed to be revving a little more than it should without delivering as much power to the wheels as it should. When I got to a stop light, I noticed the Power/Normal button was in the "Normal" position, so I pushed it in to "Power" and it eventually started running as it should. I don't know how much that actually had to do with it; things might just have been a little stiff from sitting up for a month. I'm going to leave the Impala in the driveway and drive the Aurora for a few days to give it some overdue exercise. Good deal. Progress is made. The shop should be able to knock that out quickly. You won't have to deal with a couple gallons of used anti freeze. I had mine out to do an alternator recently. Removing he fans confused me for a moment as I was lookkng for lower bolts but ended up being easier than I thought so the pros shouod rock it out with no troubles. Daily Driver: 2011 Impala LT Weekend Toy: 1995 Aurora
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