Coolant - generic from Halfords ok in an Astra?

johann_van_der_splat

pinkteapot wrote: »

:eek:

We had about 14 MOT advisories. The radiator was the only one marked as needing attention sooner rather than later. The car was in for a service and an MOT. Are the advisories stored on the VOSA database - i.e. if we sell/trade in the car in the future will people find them?

Is it definitely an MOT advisory i.e. on a yellow, VOSA headed form, as opposed to the garage giving you a list of things that need sorting?

pinkteapot

VOSA yellow Advisory paper yes (I know because we got an advisory about a windscreen chip last year). With a list of things. Could just be that the garage use that VOSA paper as printer paper I suppose...

espresso

pinkteapot wrote: »

They're a well established garage that do have relatively high labour rates, do a lot of commercial work etc. Some of our friends go there, others go to cheap ones in town. The common view is "good but not the cheapest". We went there because we're doing such a long run soon and wanted a comprehensive service. We also said to them "we're doing a long run - let us know if anything is about to break even if it's satisfactory at this moment". You can't say that to a garage you don't know - surefire way to get fleeced. :rotfl:

If I can buy a new radiator for £70 (they would get it cheaper) then that leaves £180 for half an hours labour to fit it. This is a money saving site, you are driving an Astra not a Ferrari and at £250 it is you who is being fleeced!

:mad:

pinkteapot

I'm not DIYing it. Already said that.

Just spoke to the garage - hubby remembered the quote wrong. It was £210 *sigh* Another garage has quoted £188.

Still the question remains whether to change it or drive to Scotland and back and hope the leak doesn't get any worse. That's the part I'm confused about. What would people on here do? (I know you'd DIY it if you did it)

Hammyman

pinkteapot wrote: »

I'm not DIYing it. Already said that.

Quotes I have so far are £286/£247 for a genuine VX part. Or £188 for a non-VX part.

You'd be paying too much if you paid £120 for a non-genuine. Give Eurocarparts a ring.

espresso

pinkteapot wrote: »

I'm not DIYing it. Already said that.

I realise that but can you see how ridiculous their labour charges are?

:rotfl:

pinkteapot

espresso wrote: »

I realise that but can you see how ridiculous their labour charges are?

:rotfl:

I know what the labour charges are but I'm not willing to do the job myself so I have to pay a professional. As I said, quote is £210 at the garage we know and £188 at another picked at random.

Seriously, are there any views on whether the work is worth doing or not? I.e. how do very minor radiator leaks tend to progress?

espresso

pinkteapot wrote: »

Seriously, are there any views on whether the work is worth doing or not? I.e. how do very minor radiator leaks tend to progress?

Nobody on here can possibly tell you if you need a new radiator without seeing it. You seem to be saying that you don't actually trust the judgement of your "family friend" garage" who would charge you a rip off price to replace it for you.

pinkteapot wrote: »

VOSA yellow Advisory paper yes (I know because we got an advisory about a windscreen chip last year). With a list of things. Could just be that the garage use that VOSA paper as printer paper I suppose...

Another reason not to trust this garage!

martinthebandit

If the coolant level has not dropped in three weeks (and you have been using it during that three weeks) then I would just keep a large bottle of water in the boot and not worry about it.

Just keep your eye on the temp gauge while your driving and enjoy your trip

rodenal

Your call on whether to drive it or not - if it was my car and I knew the leak was so small that it lost hardly any coolant over a month then I would probably just drive it.....But I also keep tools in the boot when I drive reasonable distances incase I need to bodge a fix on something en route, it doesn't sound like you are willing to tackle this.

If you have AA cover or similar and are happy that it isn't really losing coolant at the moment, realise it's a risk (albeit probably small) then just take the car and carry some water for an emergency.