I took my Evo IX to a local shop to have three gauges and an MBC installed, and as they were messing with the vacuum line, they punctured my radiator. The shop owner said they were going to take it to a shop and try to get the radiator repaired, and if that failed he would give me a free Koyo radiator.

I just got a call back and he said they were able to repair the stock radiator and it will be "just like new". I'm still new to my Evo, and am no mechanic by any means, but is this dangerous? I'm just wondering if it's something I should be worried about and rush out to buy a Koyo as soon as I can, or if it should be fine?

 

Go in and see what the damage is. Ask them where it was punctured and take a look. it if looks like ****, then demand a new one. Make sure everything is in working order and keep an eye on your temp gauge for a while and watch for leaks.

 

Im a mechanic and own a mechanic/performance shop and i personally would not patch up a customer's radiator and say its "just like new". (Not that i have ever punctured one)

God forbid you are running the car hard and it splits where they fixed the puncture, there goes all your antifreeze and i can promise you that you will overheat in a matter of moments.

If i were you IMHO, i would buy a new radiator of your choice whether it be stock or a Koyo.

The price of a new radiator will be much cheaper than a head gasket with labor due to overheating or worse...

 

He should not have to worry about leaks or keeping his eye on his temp. gauge!

IMO, it is not a good idea. Save yourself the risk. Good luck on your decision.

 

+1 on getting a new radiator.

Damaged radiators are no good and not ever the same again.

 

Yeah, it was punctured with a screwdriver on the inside of the radiator a few inches to the driver's side from where the the turbo is, and it was spewing coolant out like a fountain. I haven't seen it since they repaired it, but I think I tend to follow evo8604's advice and start saving up for a Koyo real quick.

Good thing I still have my other car...
Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

your welcome, glad you asked!

 

I had a puncture on a radiator in my old car that started to leak.I used some JB weld on it and the hole never leaked again.

 

I had a punctured radiator repaired once. 8 years and 80,000 miles and no problems. The radiator repair shop told me the car might run a little warmer, but it actually ran a little cooler.

 

demand a new one, and drive like a grandpa until u get it replaced. sorry that happened.

 

I remember a shop that punctured my brand new Koyo radiator and didn't replace it they just patched it up and called it a day which I let them slide on that, haven't had any problems yet, but in your case just tell them to get you a new stocker.

 

Just a newb here (and, for the time being, one Evo short of an Evo), but I felt that I had to interject here.

I think you would be well within your rights to demand a new radiator. They have a duty to make you whole, ie. to put you in the position you were in prior to their little incident. And you had a mint, unpatched radiator then.

If you don't want to do this, the least you should do is demand that they warranty their repair in writing. If their patch-job fails, they'll replace the radiator and repair any other damage caused by the failure (which could be rather substantial). All this should be in writing. The prospect of signing such a warranty may even convince them to get you a new radiator without you asking for one.

If they don't play ball, you could always go to small claims court. There are downsides (you probably wouldn't want to use that shop again, and word may spread to other shops), but the process is pretty simple and you could do it without a lawyer (though if they are an incorporated entity they would likely be represented by one).

Good luck!

 

VERY well said.

 

he didn't say for you to buy one, he said he would buy one if he did it to a customers car. You should not in any way have to buy a new one out of your own pocket.

From what other people are saying, sounds like you could be ok with the patch job. BUT i would definitely get it guarenteed in writing as cactusjack explained.

 

I got the car back two days ago, and although there was a definite smell of coolant from when it spilled from the initial puncture, the temperature gauge is reading normal so far. I haven't pushed it too hard yet either though, but I am just keeping watch. I was able to get a 30-day warranty out of them, but that is the standard one they provide on their workmanship so it's nothing special.

As for small claims court, the shop is owned by a father and son, and the father is an attorney so I won't be messing with them in that way, but that father is a very reasonable man and ensured that I was charged even less than the original estimate because of all the trouble. I told him I was not entirely satisfied with idea of the radiator patch job and he told me of I have any problems at all I can come back in and he will put in a new one. All in all though, I think I am done with this shop, which is unfortunate because it is a good group of guys.

They did a good job on the gauge pod install, but messed up the tweeter cover, and the sensor they put in the exhaust manifold is pretty shoddy workmanship in my opinion. Oh well, chalk it up as a lesson...