Michael Our old second car "PERLMAN" is now 19 years old and, according to the used car table, is only worth $1,200. When it acted up recently and I refilled the coolant, it immediately leaked out again. It's a clear case: a leaky radiator, and replacing it costs around $600 at a car repair shop in San Francisco.
A look at the website of the Auto parts company Autozone reveals that a new radiator costs only $139 and you can even download an installation guide with illustrations in color from there. The company "Kragen" offers similar products, but from radio and TV advertising, I was familiar with the slogan "Get in the Zone - Autozone!" Additionally, Kragen is somewhat more expensive and prevalent in large cities, while the nearest Autozone branch is about 20 km south of San Francisco in the town of Millbrae, right next to the SFO airport. There, I not only bought the radiator but also a flat plastic pan to catch the old coolant.
Then, just to be safe, I took a day off because the repair needed to be completed--I couldn't leave Perly Perlman standing around without a radiator. Under the light of a camping lamp that illuminated the engine compartment, I drained the coolant through the outlet valve into the pan, unscrewed the fan attached to the radiator, and removed the inlet and outlet coolant hoses. Out came the old radiator, and an hour later, the new one was screwed in and connected.
The rundown old radiator was taken by the Autozone store the next day for disposal, free of charge and without complaint, and Perly Perlman is now running like a young foal again! Unfortunately, such repairs are only possible with older car models these days. With all the computer nonsense in the engine compartment of today's models, you probably need a special device just to measure the oil, which, of course, only the overpriced workshop of the authorized dealer has installed. And the so-called aftermarket parts, meaning non-original but compatible replacement parts like my new radiator, which often have a few extra screws because they fit multiple vehicle types, can only be manufactured by budget manufacturers if parts are not secretively computerized.
This called into action the Citizen's Initiative Right To Repair. some time ago. The computer gimmickry not only deters hobbyists from repairing their work horses but also drives affordable independent auto repair shops into ruin, as it is not worthwhile for them to acquire all sorts of specialized tools and software for hundreds of different vehicle types. The initiative is collecting signatures for a petition, and on the website, you can send a strongly worded email to the two Californian senators, Feinstein and Boxer, as well as the President, with just one click. Obama, help!