Hi, in a funny spot right now with my 2007 Honda Element Sc. It overheated and started rattling and driving REALLY slow, finally the coolant started leaking onto the engine block causing steam leading me to pull over and tow it to the dealership.
They said it needed a new radiator, cooling fans, cooling motors and heater control valve in order to conduct a pressure test to determine whether I need to replace the cylinder head and gasket or not...
It's been sitting for 3 months while I am trying to determine what to do... but I can't decide...
Should I go forward with this repair (maybe with a cheaper mechanic instead of the dealership, 1900 seems pretty steep just to diagnose), or should I try to just replace the entire engine (found one on LKQ for 1700)?
I think I'll have to replace the cooling system either way so I am leaning towards the rebuild side... what do you think?
Below is a text copy of the email the dealership sent to me so you know more about what they had to say...
"I apologize for the late reply. The technician determined that the cooling fans for the motor failed causing an overheating issue. The vehicle overheated enough to melt several components in the cooling system. Because of the components in the cooling system failing and some even melting, he is unable to perform a pressure test to determine the condition of the cylinder head and gasket at this time. Unfortunately at this point, the only way we can proceed is by replacing those components and then continuing the diagnosis to determine if the cylinder head is alright. The initial repair to replace all of the cooling components that have failed is $1,951.78. This would include replacing the radiator, both cooling fans, both cooling motors, and the heater control valve. The technician thinks that it is quite likely that there will be more repairs needed once we replace these parts and can properly pressure test the entirety of the system. Let me know how you would like to proceed. Thank you."
They said it needed a new radiator, cooling fans, cooling motors and heater control valve in order to conduct a pressure test to determine whether I need to replace the cylinder head and gasket or not...
It's been sitting for 3 months while I am trying to determine what to do... but I can't decide...
Should I go forward with this repair (maybe with a cheaper mechanic instead of the dealership, 1900 seems pretty steep just to diagnose), or should I try to just replace the entire engine (found one on LKQ for 1700)?
I think I'll have to replace the cooling system either way so I am leaning towards the rebuild side... what do you think?
Below is a text copy of the email the dealership sent to me so you know more about what they had to say...
"I apologize for the late reply. The technician determined that the cooling fans for the motor failed causing an overheating issue. The vehicle overheated enough to melt several components in the cooling system. Because of the components in the cooling system failing and some even melting, he is unable to perform a pressure test to determine the condition of the cylinder head and gasket at this time. Unfortunately at this point, the only way we can proceed is by replacing those components and then continuing the diagnosis to determine if the cylinder head is alright. The initial repair to replace all of the cooling components that have failed is $1,951.78. This would include replacing the radiator, both cooling fans, both cooling motors, and the heater control valve. The technician thinks that it is quite likely that there will be more repairs needed once we replace these parts and can properly pressure test the entirety of the system. Let me know how you would like to proceed. Thank you."
