Water outlet estimate question - coolant leak

[Onslow]

Took vehicle in to dealer to have check engine light looked at (sorry I don't have the exact code). Also slow coolant loss.

Diagnosis was that the water outlet (which I assume feeds the surge tank) needed to be replaced.

The part is apparently $20-$50. Dealer estimate to replace is mid $300.

Is this fair estimate for the work involved or am I just experiencing sticker shock?

 

[Smartdave]

Do you mean the thermostat housing?

The only thing that feeds the overflow tank is the radiator.

The thermostat housing is a common leak point in the 1.8.

It is a 10 minute change to replace it. You unclip the radiator hose from the nipple, you disconnect the water temp sensor, remove four bolts. Once you do that the part is off, then reverse with the new part.


Once the new part is on replace whatever coolant was lost.

On a difficulty of 1 to 5 with five being the hardest I would rate this a 1


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[Papasonic]

That's about $200.00 more than I would expect. Look up the part on GM parts direct, or Rock Auto. Then either purchase from them or enter the part number on Amazon to find a fair price. As Smartdave says; level 1 degree of difficulty. I wouldn't be surprised if total cost would be under $60.00.

 

[allstarchris]

Took vehicle in to dealer to have check engine light looked at (sorry I don't have the exact code). Also slow coolant loss.

Diagnosis was that the water outlet (which I assume feeds the surge tank) needed to be replaced.

The part is apparently $20-$50. Dealer estimate to replace is mid $300.

Is this fair estimate for the work involved or am I just experiencing sticker shock?

ahhhhhh niceeee

 

[Mad*Max]

Do you have the part number Dave?

Do you mean the thermostat housing?

The only thing that feeds the overflow tank is the radiator.

The thermostat housing is a common leak point in the 1.8.

It is a 10 minute change to replace it. You unclip the radiator hose from the nipple, you disconnect the water temp sensor, remove four bolts. Once you do that the part is off, then reverse with the new part.


Once the new part is on replace whatever coolant was lost.

On a difficulty of 1 to 5 with five being the hardest I would rate this a 1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Smartdave]

This is it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014873JDA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_KPVaAb113AQ67


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[JTee2017]

Do you have the part number Dave?

Or . . buy one of these which are half or ALL metal and never worry about it again.

https://www.amazon.com/OKAY-MOTOR-Thermostat-Assembly-Chevrolet/dp/B072JMDBHC/ref=pd_sbs_263_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WZT9EBDG47F45EGJTAX4

https://www.amazon.com/Thermostat-Housing-Assembly-Tracker-25192228/dp/B06XYFCRGJ/ref=pd_sbs_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2NNY5TBMEQMAKGFAX4V3


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJ9MGW/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2CZQD5Z8CQ1VA&colid=1A589GY9FJELD

 

[Mad*Max]

Thanks guys!

This is it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014873JDA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_KPVaAb113AQ67


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Or . . buy one of these which are half or ALL metal and never worry about it again.

https://www.amazon.com/OKAY-MOTOR-Thermostat-Assembly-Chevrolet/dp/B072JMDBHC/ref=pd_sbs_263_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WZT9EBDG47F45EGJTAX4

https://www.amazon.com/Thermostat-Housing-Assembly-Tracker-25192228/dp/B06XYFCRGJ/ref=pd_sbs_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2NNY5TBMEQMAKGFAX4V3


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCJ9MGW/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2CZQD5Z8CQ1VA&colid=1A589GY9FJELD

 

[Thesoccerone7]

This was the exact scenario I was looking for an answer to. Dealer estimated $200, but said they reduced the price because they already charged me a diagnostic charge on it. They called it a "Coolant Outlet Housing" for $44 and said good luck finding it anywhere else. I have not found that part by their exact wording anywhere. Sounds like this is the part they explained. Anybody have confirmation on this? The picture is the general location the dealer pointed out to me.

 

[Mad*Max]

This is what my leak looks like:

 

[JTee2017]

Thanks guys!

Let us know which one you bought and how the remove and replace went?

They say it is fairly easy, just be careful with the clamps and sometimes brittle hoses.

 

[Mad*Max]

Let us know which one you bought and how the remove and replace went?

They say it is fairly easy, just be careful with the clamps and sometimes brittle hoses.

I am taking to my independent mechanic - he looked at and said the "o-ring(s)" are probably leaking and he will change those.

 

[JTee2017]

This is what my leak looks like:

I am taking to my independent mechanic - he looked at and said the "o-ring(s)" are probably leaking and he will change those.

Ok . . hope that is all it is. They mostly seem to develop hairline cracks in places you can not see.

No offense, but sometimes a garage will tell you it is one thing, or isn't aware of common problems, and after the work is started and things are apart. . . drops the bomb and says. .. "Well, it wasn't just o-rings. It needs a whole T-stat and housing. It will be $250 with labor."

 

[Mad*Max]

Ok . . hope that is all it is. They mostly seem to develop hairline cracks in places you can not see.

No offense taken, but sometimes a garage will tell you it is one thing, or isn't aware of common problems, and after the work is started and things are apart. . . drops the bomb and says. .. "Well, it wasn't just o-rings. It needs a whole T-stat and housing. It will be $250 with labor."

No offense and I was wondering the same thing as this seems to be a common problem. He was pretty confident in his diagnosis but he did not open it up so he could be totally wrong! I might want to get the part before I see him to be on the safe side...I presume the hair line cracks will be visible once the part is taken out?

 

[Ponchoguy]

No offense and I was wondering the same thing as this seems to be a common problem. He was pretty confident in his diagnosis but he did not open it up so he could be totally wrong! I might want to get the part before I see him to be on the safe side...I presume the hair line cracks will be visible once the part is taken out?

I'd agree with JT on this, change the whole housing. Mine has been done twice in 58k miles, under warranty from the dealer.

 

[Mad*Max]

I'd agree with JT on this, change the whole housing. Mine has been done twice in 58k miles, under warranty from the dealer.

I am taking the advice from all of you folks - I will just get the entire part (here it is north of $100) and change it. I saw in the diagram that it has new O-rings as well so everything should be well covered with the new part.

 

[Mad*Max]

Sorry guys, can I ask one more question, the part at the dealer as I mentioned is way over $100 and I have found the part that Smartdave showed on Amazon for $40. Does the part at the dealer have way more extra parts than what is needed to fix the problem?

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B014873JDA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3HFUC27WX97EL&psc=1

 

[JTee2017]

Sorry guys, can I ask one more question, the part at the dealer as I mentioned is way over $100 and I have found the part that Smartdave showed on Amazon for $40. Does the part at the dealer have way more extra parts than what is needed to fix the problem?

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B014873JDA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3HFUC27WX97EL&psc=1

If it needs replacing. . .. I would buy this below. It is the T-stat and whole housing.

Another member here bought this one and it is all metal, won;t ever crack, and fits great.

https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-902-033-DORMAN-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING/dp/B01NCJ9MGW/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_0_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01NCJ9MGW&pd_rd_r=JPMQJPTZE6NAPS7EWGJR&pd_rd_w=DVQP6&pd_rd_wg=5VPLu&psc=1&refRID=JPMQJPTZE6NAPS7EWGJR

 

[Ponchoguy]

I'd buy the all metal piece if I were doing it on my own. In my case, the dealer did them under warranty, so I of course had to go with whatever GM offers as an OEM part.

 

[Mad*Max]

If it needs replacing. . .. I would buy this below. It is the T-stat and whole housing.

Another member here bought this one and it is all metal, won;t ever crack, and fits great.

https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-902-033-DORMAN-THERMOSTAT-HOUSING/dp/B01NCJ9MGW/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_0_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01NCJ9MGW&pd_rd_r=JPMQJPTZE6NAPS7EWGJR&pd_rd_w=DVQP6&pd_rd_wg=5VPLu&psc=1&refRID=JPMQJPTZE6NAPS7EWGJR

thanks for clarifying!