didn't see it stated anywhere but have you had the cooling system flushed? You can get a flush kit from Autozone or seek out garage to do it.

You are suppose flush at 60,000, 90,000 and 120,00 miles to keep it clean and free of debris.

 

now that i think about it, when my car overheated right after coming out of the shop, i was running straight water and its summer. it must have left the system as steam and then the low level probably caused it to overheat.

ill finish doing my flush and then just put regular coolant.

ive been watching it for weeks now and even running the ac in summer city traffic and the ac works like a freezer and my temp gauge is fine.

i think the shop was just bullcrapping me into buying a new radiator.