Replacing radiator on car

kingtut

Hi everyone I'll try keep this reasonably brief.
The engine temp guage in my car was ready 130 yesterday (it's a 142 Hyundai i20) so I pulled in and called the AA.
Garage just called and said that it appears that a stone hit the radiator and is causing a leak (or something like that - I no very little about cars).

Said it would cost approx €560 to put in a new radiator and if that didn't work then it might be a head gasket job.

They recommended calling my insurer (they are closed for the day) and seeing if they will foot the bill. Does anyone know if this is something that they normally cover?

The car is under warranty but as the stone is considered a third party it is not covered.

Darraghmh91.

If you open up the rad and see a milky colour then it was your head gasket man
I had the same problem with mine and it was the water pump that went and head gasket was fine on the car
If it's a rad go to your local motor factor and price up a new rad for the car and there so handy to fit it's a matter of taking off draining what Cooland is left in the car take the rad brackets and rad pipes off the connecting pints of the rad and just pop your new one on and connect your 2 pipes up and but back on the brackets
560 seems very steep to me man they would know more less straight away if it's the head gasket

kingtut

Darraghmh91. wrote: »

If you open up the rad and see a milky colour then it was your head gasket man
I had the same problem with mine and it was the water pump that went and head gasket was fine on the car
If it's a rad go to your local motor factor and price up a new rad for the car and there so handy to fit it's a matter of taking off draining what Cooland is left in the car take the rad brackets and rad pipes off the connecting pints of the rad and just pop your new one on and connect your 2 pipes up and but back on the brackets
560 seems very steep to me man they would know more less straight away if it's the head gasket

Heya thanks for responding so quickly. It is the main Hyundai dealer that was on the phone to me. I'm no mechanic but when I looked myself I could see 'milky' spots around the engine.

What price are we talking for a head gasket? I have heard that is a very expensive replacement! As it is a new car and under warranty I'm not sure if I can go the method of getting stuff from other sources?

magentis

It should be clearly visible if the radiator was damaged.How long did you drive the car with the temperature at 130 degrees?

Henry Ford III

Surely there was a warning light or something?

kingtut

magentis wrote: »

It should be clearly visible if the radiator was damaged.How long did you drive the car with the temperature at 130 degrees?

I can only go by what the garage told me (I was not there at the time they inspected it due to work commitments). I only drove it for about 2 mins while it was reading that temperature.

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Surely there was a warning light or something?

Nope no warning lights at all, the only indication something was wrong (for me) was that the temp was reading 130. I put my hand on the bonnet and it felt warm but not excessively hot. No steam/smoke visible.

kingtut

Anyone know if this is something my insurance company would cover? I won't be able to call them until the morning.

George Dalton

Should be covered. Hope you have NCB protection!

mickdw

The way I see it, if it's damage picked up off the road, your insurance will cover it. If it's a mechanical issue with the car itself, warranty will cover it.